New York · Ski touring

Oak Mountain

3.7 mi
loop
726 ft
climb
2,334 ft
high point
Loop
route

Oak Mountain is a ski touring loop in New York, about 0.8 miles from the town of Speculator. The route is 3.7 miles long and loops back to its start, with a total elevation gain of 726 feet. The climb is front-loaded, with the high point at 2,334 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 3 miles in, where the grade reaches 10%. The route's low point sits at 1,757 feet, and the entire trip ends with a descent of about 583 feet. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 63°F in May to about 67°F in September, with July peaking near 75°F. That station sits roughly 17 miles away and about 660 feet lower than the mountain, so temperatures on the peak run cooler. Several other destinations lie within a short drive. Elm Lake Rd is just 0.4 miles away, and the Kunjamuk Cave Trail is about 2.3 miles off. Paddlers can reach the Sacandaga River at 2.6 miles, and the Dug Mountain Trail is about 4.4 miles away.

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Oak Mountain

    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, 17.5 mi away at 1,670 ft. The station sits about 700 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.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors