With its moderate terrain and outstanding view, Floodwood Mountain is a great choice for a family outing or for a first-time snowshoe.
How to get here
From downtown Saranac Lake, take Route 86 west toward Paul Smith's and turn left on Route 186, which is just after Donnelly's Ice Cream and about 7.5 miles from downtown. After about 29.5 miles, turn right on Floodwood Road. Follow Floodwood Road and look for Floodwood Mountain signs in 6.25 miles. There will be a turnoff on the left near the end.
By the numbers
Distance: 1.6 miles to the summit
Elevation: 2,304 feet
Elevation gain: 600 feet
Hiking
The trail leaves the gate and follows a forest road, where a bit of flooding can occur thanks to beaver activity. Bear right when the road splits — don’t follow the left fork. Soon after the split, the trail leaves the road and begins a moderate climb over rocky terrain, then a couple of short, steep pitches end at Floodwood's highest summit. Look for a sign on a tree to find the 0.25-mile trail to the southern summit, which requires a short, steep descent over slab rock, followed by a short rock scramble to the summit.
Floodwood Mountain in winter
Floodwood is a great beginner snowshoe for anyone who feels ready to tackle a mountain. Snowshoes are necessary to avoid postholing through the snowpack, and snow spikes are recommended for ascending the mountain's steeper sections, though they may not be strictly necessary. Extra layers of non-cotton clothing, a windbreaker, an emergency blanket, a first-aid kit, a headlamp with extra batteries, and plenty of food and water are essential items for any winter excursion. The extra layers and windbreaker are especially important on the summit ledges, which are partially exposed and likely to be much colder than the lower sections of the mountain.
