OverviewNestled within a mountain range renowned for its thick spruce and wooded summits, it is more than a little suprising that a smallish 3,600-foot mountain offers some of the best open ridge hiking to be found anywhere in the Adirondacks. Yet that is precisely what awaits the hiker who is willing to go a little bit off the beaten path to the 1.5-mile long summit ridge of Jay Mountain. Ranked 79th in height among Adirondack Mountains, there is no officially-maintained trail to the summit of Jay. However, a somewhat difficult to find but easy-to-follow herd path (AKA minimal maintenance wilderness path) leads west to east from Jay Mountain Road to the true summit in a little over three miles. Vertical relief is about 2,100 feet; however, numerous sub-summits along the ridge add an additional several hundred feet to the tally.
While the east-west summit ridge is exposed to the elements, exposure alone cannot explain why such a low mountain offers such a long expanse of open hiking. Instead, it seems probable that the Jay summit ridge is one of the few remaining scars from a historic forest fire that burned 637,000 acres within the Adirondack Park between April 20 and June 8, 1903. The exposed rock along the ridge also makes it unlikely that the area will ever completely recover.
Looking east to the double summit of Jay Mountain |
Please refer below to the "Getting There" section for directions to the start of the herd path. Once in the woods, the hike can be divided into two equal halves: wooded-ascent and open-ridge hiking. Starting at an elevation of about 1,540 feet, the path rapidly ascends through a mixed forest. After less than one mile and about 800 feet elevation gain, the route eases off and gives back about 70 feet. From here, the path climbs steeply to the ridge, breaking out into the first open area at an elevation of about 3,080 feet. Distance from the road to the point is about 1.5 miles. After a quick jaunt back into the vegetation, the majority of the hike from this point forward is in the open and the route is well-marked with cairns. Several areas along the ridge offer scrambling opportunities although it is possible to go around these areas of steeper rock.
The double summit of Jay is reached at the eastern end of the ridge after traversing several sub-summits. Marked with a cairn and a memorial to a local resident, the high point of the ridge is the second (or easternmost) of the two summits. Immediately to the south is the wooded summit of Saddleback (not to be confused with the higher 46R peak of the same name). Saddleback is about one mile distant from Jay and like its neighbor reaches an elevation of 3,600 feet. Saddleback's summit can be reached only by bushwhack.
360-degree summit views offer just reward for this hike. |
Getting ThereTake Route 9N to the small hamlet of Upper Jay - not to be confused with the hamlet of Jay four miles north. Just to the south of a sweeping bend on Route 9N and only 50-100 yards south of a bridge over the East Branch of the Ausable River, turn onto Trumbulls Road (Essex County Route 85). This is a right turn if heading north on 9N or a left turn if heading south. Follow Trumbulls Road southeast. After 2.5 miles, you will reach the intersection with Glen Road on the left. Continue straight onto what is now Jay Mountain Road. After another 0.8 miles, you reach the intersection of Prestonia Road on your right. About 75 yards beyond this intersection, an unmarked path on the left leads discreetly into the woods. There is no parking area and no trailhead sign. If you are not looking for the path, you will not see it. The only indication you are in the right place is the presence of a few faded State Forest Preserve signs along the road.
Please note, this is one of the few times that the Adirondack Mountain Club's "High Peaks Region" guidebook will lead you astray. Working off of outdated maps, the 13th Edition (copyright 2004) lists the path as being at the intersection of Glen and Luke Glen Roads. This is inaccurate.
Saddleback to the south |
Red TapeThis peak falls officially within the Jay Mountain Wilderness and thus is not subject to the stiff governance of the High Peaks area. Nonetheless, General Forest Preserve regulations do apply. For more complete information, visit the Adirondack Mountain Club site.
CampingNo official camping areas as this peak doesn't have an official trail. Many possibilities exist for pitching a tent or bivy along the summit ridge, however. One should keep in mind that no camping is allowed above 3,500 feet - which, in this case, means no camping on the summit.
External LinksAdirondack Mountain Club
Adirondack Highest 100
Adirondack High Peaks Forums Weather
Images
|
