Hurricane Mountain
Region : High Peaks, Adirondacks (NY)
Start Location : Crow Clearing
Distance from start : 4,8km
Ascention : 1600ft
Elevation :3600ft
Height Rank : 72
Parking : Parking lot
Fee : no
Trail Markings : Blue DEC marker
Winter : O’Tool Lane is not plowed all the way in the winter so you have to start the trail a little further away.
Warnings : Gulf Brooke Lean-to has been moved about 1mi up the road.
Date of hike : September 9, 2013
I had wanted to hike up Hurricane Mountain for a while. Everytime, either the weather was not good or tiredness took over. Finally we did it, and in great company. We brought our two friends up with us. This was their first time in the USA. Needless to say, they liked their visit. Next time we’ll bring them to the best lodging lean-tos NY has to offer.
Trail Start
The trail starts at Crow Clearing. There is a big parking lot where you can park and check in. This is the same trail start as the Lost Pond / Weston Mtn//Nun-da-ga-o trail and the Big Crow/Little Crow Mtns Trail.
The first mile is very easy with barely any elevation.
Gulf Brooke Lean-to
Usually the trail splits at Gulf Brooke Lean to. On our hike, we met up with a group of people designated to move the lean-to about 1mi up the Lost Pond/Weston mt/Nun-da-ga-o trail. It was too close to the raising levels of water from the brooke and too close to the road.
Let’s face it, a lean-to 1mi in the road is for when you’re feeling lazy and overburdened by all the beer you’re handling 🙂
I hope they will add a sign saying that the trail splits. Stay Vigilent.
Hurricane Mtn Ascention
Get ready for a gradual ascention of the Mountain that should take around 2 hrs. Until the top, you have some breif views while looking through the trees but nothing really impressive. Gradually the trees become smaller and more spaced out until you reach the rocky top of the mountain.
Summit of Hurrican Mtn & Fire Tower
The summit is at an altitude of 3600 ft ranking it the 72nd highest peak in the High Peaks Region (In case you are wondering, the 1st is Mount Marcy).
The summit is breathtaking! At some points, you can find a 360° view!
NW/N/NE : Whiteface /Nunda-ga-o ridge / Jay mtn wilderness
South: Giant mtn & friends
East: Lake champlain
West : Countless more High Peaks!
This was our first fire tower trail! You can’t go up but you get a little feel of history. Getting it up there must have been a b***h!
An old Fire Tower. Luckily, we didn’t see any fires!
Hello from us at our rocky summit!
A sneak-peak at the view. After these pictures, I had to retire my camera which started to put a purple filter on all of my pictures.
In conclusion, I waited a long time to hike up to the summit of Hurricane mountain and it lived up to my expectations. A 1 day trail with inspiring views at the top. Start early, bring a good book and a hammac and you’re in business!
Happy hiking!
Richelle & Ben