Two mountain hikes across the road from each other. To get there use route 28 north through old Forge and Raquette Lake to Blue Mountain Lake. Then turn north on route 30 for less than a mile. The road to Castle Rock is to the left and the trail for Blue Mountain is on the right a little further. Route 30 can also be picked up from Speculator or the Gloversville-Johnstown area. Follow it Past Indian Lake to get to Blue Mountain Lake.
Castle Rock in the first picture gives a better view of Blue Mountain Lake. A medium height is just right for viewing and it's closer. The road that leads to the trail is Maple Lodge Rd off of route 30. Expect to see huge rock formations with caves and corridors along the trail. At the end is a cliff overlooking the lake.
Blue Mountain gives a good view of the central Adirondacks. I could see Blue Mountain Lake and Raquette Lake. In the third picture is Tirrel pond and in the horizon are the high peaks. At the summit is a fire tower, locked cabin and two other communication towers. Apparently, it was once a radar installation. It was quite a 2 mile hike. Along the way are markers. It starts out as a long gradual climb. Then a short descent into a stream. After the stream is crossed, markers 8 and 9 are passed. There, the real climbing begins. When the 13th one is reached the climb levels off and the trail continues little more to the fire tower.
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