Taking in the views from near the summit of St Regis
Winter from St Regis firetower's cab
A hiker looks up at a firetower
A hiker enjoying the views from a cliff on St Regis Mountain
Views from St Regis Mountain in the winter
A hiker standing in the firetower cab of St Regis Mountain
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44.438363, -74.252598
St. Regis Mountain
Location:
Keese Mill Road/NY 30, Paul Smiths
Additional Info:
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A climb to the summit yields magnificentviews in nearly all directions. McKenzie Mountain and the High Peaks can be seen tothe south. Directly below is an outspread of lakes and ponds within theSt. Regis Canoe Area. A successful hike of Ampersand, one of the Saranac Lake 6ers, involves research, physical fitness, the right gear, and knowledge of Leave No Trace principles. 

The summit also has a restored fire tower. Built in 1918, the fire tower on St. Regis Mountain has been a fixture on the landscape for over 100 years. It was an active fire tower observation station until 1990. The tower was then closed and began to deteriorate. In 2015, the Friends of St. Regis Mountain Fire Tower officially formed and restoration work commenced. Since then, much work has been done to restore the tower to its former glory and it is open to climb today.

Key takeaways

  • Distance: 6.8 miles round trip
  • Elevation gain: 1,650 feet
  • Elevation: 2,874 feet
  • Hike includes trail junctions and a bridge

Hiking St. Regis Mountain

From the parking lot, you will have to walk up the dirt road for a short distance to the foot trail on the right. From the DEC register, the footpath starts off very moderately over rolling hills. The gentle trail is inviting as you gain elevation steadily. Just over 2 miles from the register, you will cross over a bridge. This is where the climbing begins.

From here, the trail becomes steeper as you near the summit, but well-maintained stone steps and other features make the climbing a little friendlier. You will encounter the steepest sections in the last 0.3 miles before the summit. Through the trees, you may even get a sneak peak at the expansive views to come. Just below the summit, you'll emerge onto open rock and the restored fire tower will appear.

Views to the south are clear after being accidentally scorched by a fire started by Adirondack surveyor Verplanck Colvin in 1876.

St. Regis in the winter

This trail is an excellent snowshoe. Since the footpath gets steeper toward the summit, microspikes are highly recommended as it can be icy. While lake ice conditions can be variable and unpredictable, when the conditions are right, skiing from the Upper St. Regis Lake boat launch to Spring Bay to hike up the lake trail makes for an enjoyable outing. Ski across the frozen lake and then switch to snowshoes at the dock. Snowshoes are necessary to avoid post-holing through the snowpack, and microspikes are required to ascend the mountain's steeper sections. Extra layers of non-cotton clothing, a windbreaker, emergency blanket, first-aid kit, headlamp with extra batteries, and plenty of food and water are essential items for any winter excursion. The extra layers and windbreaker are especially important on the partially-exposed summit, which will be much colder than the lower sections of the mountain. 

Explore more trails

Does St. Regis sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? No need to stress, we can help you find a uniquely Saranac Lake trail that’s right for you!

How to get there

From the intersection of Route 30 and Route 3 in Tupper Lake, follow Route 3/30 toward Saranac Lake. Once Route 3 and Route 30 split, take a left and follow Route 30 toward Fish Creek. Stay on Route 30 and pass through Lake Clear and into Paul Smiths. Take the first left after Paul Smiths College onto Keese Mill Road. Follow Keese Mill Road for just under 3-miles to the trailhead parking on the left.

An alternative trail can turn this terrestrial hike into a bit of a "surf-and-turf." There is a new dock (2019) located in Spring Bay of Upper St. Regis Lake and boaters or paddlers are welcomed to dock here and climb ~1 mile trail to its intersection with the main trail from Keese Mill Road. Starting from the lake, the trail climbs an esker steeply at first but eventually flattens out as it nears the intersection. Boaters can launch at the DEC launch on Upper St. Regis Lake and paddlers can put-in Paul Smith's College or at the Upper St. Regis Lake launch. 

Taking in the views from near the summit of St Regis
Winter from St Regis firetower's cab
A hiker looks up at a firetower
A hiker enjoying the views from a cliff on St Regis Mountain
Views from St Regis Mountain in the winter
A hiker standing in the firetower cab of St Regis Mountain
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