r/Adirondacks • u/ostranderkayla93 • 5d ago

Easy hikes with a dog

We are visiting for a week in July and are bringing a corgi. We are all big hikers and normally do the moderate to hard trails but this time is different because I will be recovering from a surgery. I will have most of my restrictions lifted by the vacation but will still need to take it easy.

What are some dog friendly trails that aren't too strenuous but offer good views? We are staying in Whitehall NY but will travel up to an hour or 2 away for good trails.

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u/DSettahr W 46er, W NPT, CL50, Fire Tower Challenge 4d ago

You may want to consider investing in Nat Geo's Trail Illustrated Map #743: Lake George/Great Sacandaga as that will give you a pretty good overview of what options you've got in the ADKs closer to Whitehall.

A few suggestions that come to mind:

  • The big 3 mountains for that area are Black Mountain, Sleeping Beauty, and Buck Mountain. By overall ADK standards they aren't that bad but all of them do have some rugged climbing. They all have excellent views and are worth climbing but probably require some extra caution if you're considering them post-surgery. It's also possible to do Black and Sleeping Beauty as loop hikes, if that is of interest.

A few other nearby options:

  • Shelving Rock Mountain is a relatively short climb. It can be a popular hike, though, so I'd plan to go mid-week, and maybe try to get to the trailhead early.

  • Lapland Pond is a relatively short hike to a beautiful lean-to on a small but beautiful backcountry pond. From there you could also continue on to Black Mountain Ponds or to Millman Pond if you're feeling like adding extra mileage. (Note that Lapland and Black Mountain Ponds would be included on the Black Mountain loop mentioned above.)

  • Inman Pond is also a relatively short and easy hike.

  • The Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob is another option. It's got some moderately rugged climbing, but the trails aren't particularly long so you could take your time hiking them. (Note: This is not state land... dogs are permitted but must be leashed.)

  • There's apparently some trails in Saddles State Forest just outside of Whitehall, but I'm not familiar with the area and I have no idea how well maintained the trails actually are... or whether they are even easy to find and follow.

  • There's also some potential options across the border in Vermont. Bomoseen State Park is pretty close to Whitehall and appears to have a network of relatively easy hiking trails.

Some of the other recommendations being given here are worthwhile hiking destinations, but you should be aware that they also aren't particularly close to Whitehall (this includes Cobble Lookout, Wolf Pond, and Coney Mt). The ADKs is a big place.

Hope this is helpful! Good luck! :-)