- Driving Distance from Saratoga: 13 miles
- Trail Length: 1.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1003′
- Scenery: Forested
- Trail Conditions: Varied rugged terrain
Trip Tip: Fire Tower
This is a short hike in the southern most part of the Adirondack State Park in northern Saratoga County. The hardest part of the hike is climbing the fire tower at the top (an excellent view if you have the courage to go all the way to the top). Several logging roads intertwine with the hiking trail on the hike up. Look for trail markers along the way heading in a northerly direction. The trail crosses land used by the Blue Jay Hunting Club on a lease from International Paper, so hiking is not recommended during hunting season (late September through early December).
Directions: Spruce Mountain Road, South Corinth
Head out of Saratoga Springs on Route 9N (Church Street). Continue north on Route 9N for 11 miles and make a left onto Wells Road, in South Corinth. Go two miles and make a right onto Spruce Mountain Road. The trailhead is at the dead end.
This hike is a nice woods walk up to the ridge top that defines the southern Adirondack plateau. However, don’t expect significant views from the summit. The fire tower did afford some nice views over the treetops, but the stairs have been dismantled at the bottom, to discourage ascents. There has been some heavy logging activity just north of the summit that has made a mess of the area, although it has opened up some views to the north and west.
How is this for kids?
The trail up Spruce Mountain has been recently rutted from a logging operation in the area. I wouldn’t recommend it for young kids. Thanks for the comment.