New York · Hiking · Near Schroon Lake

Black Mountain Summit Trail

3.7 mi
one way
1,176 ft
climb
2,653 ft
high point
Point to point
route

Black Mountain Summit Trail is a 3.7-mile moderate hike in New York's Lake George Wild Forest, managed by the State Department of Conservation. The trail rises from 1,807 feet to 2,653 feet, a total gain of 1,176 feet, and the climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.25 miles from the start, where the grade reaches 35 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 75°F in July, with lows near 54°F. That station sits well below the summit, so temperatures on top run cooler. The trail is not wheelchair accessible, and bikes and horses are not allowed. Plan for about two hours on foot. Black Mountain Ponds Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and Erebus Mountain Trail and Lakeside Trail are both within about 1.4 miles. Climbers can find Sleeping Beauty Mountain about 3.4 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Floating Battery Island (South)

    Campground

    Campground · 1.2 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Town of Horicon Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 12 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Schroon Lake

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Black Mountain Summit Trail

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      25° / 6°

      17 wet

    2. Feb

      28° / 7°

      14 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 15°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 28°

      14 wet

    5. May

      63° / 40°

      16 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 49°

      15 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 54°

      15 wet

    8. Aug

      73° / 53°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 45°

      13 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 35°

      16 wet

    11. Nov

      41° / 25°

      16 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / 14°

      17 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Indian Lake 2sw, NY, 38.5 mi away at 1,670 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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~3 min drive

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Elephant Mountain path

~5 min drive

2.44-mile out-and-back trail in New York with 1,335 ft gain

Cat Mountain Red TrailPhoto: ke9tv, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cat Mountain Red Trail

~14 min drive

0.96-mile point-to-point trail in New York with 250 ft gain.

Sleeping Beauty TrailPhoto: ke9tv, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Sleeping Beauty Trail

~6 min drive

Scenic 1.85-mile point-to-point trail through New York woodlands.

Route details

Distance
3.7 mi
Climbing
About 1,176 ft
Summit
2,655 ft
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
About 2 hours

Questions about this route

How long is the Black Mountain Summit Trail on Black Mountain?

About 3.7 mi.

How much elevation gain is on the Black Mountain Summit Trail?

About 1,176 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Black Mountain Summit Trail?

It is rated moderate.

How long does the Black Mountain Summit Trail take?

About 2 hours round trip.

Conditions and forecast on Black Mountain

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors