ATTENTION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has announced that all public fire towers in New York will be closed.

All public trails are still open and fire tower peaks can be climbed, but hikers are advised to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet apart - which the fire tower cabs are too small to accommodate. The DEC also recommends hikers avoid busy trailheads and explore hikes and outdoor adventures close to home.

The Tupper Lake Triad

The Adirondacks is the home of hiking challenges, and the most family-friendly of those is right around Tupper Lake. With just three mountains needed to complete the Tupper Lake Triad, you can work on this one over a weekend or wrap it up in the morning and have lunch in town while you fill out the registration form. The Triad is the perfect starter challenge for those just getting in to hiking or for hikers looking to expand their patch and sticker collection.

A year-round Adirondack hiking challenge

In 2015, a new hiking challenge called the Tupper Lake Triad was launched in the Tupper Lake region of the Adirondacks. The three family-friendly mountains - each of which is within a few minutes of the village - boast outstanding views of the surrounding mountains and lakes from their summits, which are reached via well-maintained and well-marked state Department of Environmental Conservation trails. After successfully hiking all three peaks, register on the official Triad roster and receive a patch -- and bragging rights, of course.

Meet the peaks

Earn an Adirondack hiking challenge patch by climbing the following three mountains, each of which is within a short drive of Tupper Lake:

• Mount Arab
  A fire tower awaits those who make the moderately steep climb up this mountain. Mount Arab also counts as one of the Adirondack fire tower hiking challenge peaks.
  Distance, one way: 1 mile | Elevation: 2545 feet | Ascent: 764 feet
   
• Coney Mountain 
  Enjoy superior views with little effort from Coney's rocky summit. Be sure to return in summer to enjoy some of the wild blueberries that dominate the open summit.
  Distance, one way: 1.1 miles | Elevation: 2280 feet | Ascent: 548 feet
   
• Goodman Mountain 
  This mountain, named after civil rights activist Andrew Goodman, has it all: History, wheelchair accessibility for the first quarter mile, and great views from the summit.
  Distance, one way: 1.7 miles | Elevation: 2178 feet | Ascent: 581 feet

How to register

There are two different patches, summer and winter, that you can receive for completing the Tupper Lake Triad.

• Summer Triad: Hike all three peaks between March 21 and Dec. 19 to receive the summer hiking patch.
• Winter Triad: Hike all three peaks between Dec. 20 and March 20 to receive the winter hiking patch.

Once completed, download the Tupper Lake Triad registration form and mail it with your $5 registration fee to: TL Triad, 121 Park Street, Tupper Lake, NY 12986.

Please make checks payable to ROOST (Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism)

Disclaimer: Patches could take up to 3 weeks to be received. 

Ready for more?

The Tupper Lake Triad is a great way to get warmed up for some of the other hiking challenges in the Adirondacks. Check out the Saranac Lake 6er, the Lake Placid 9'er, or the Tri-Lakes Trifecta challenges!

Leave No Trace

The magic of the Adirondacks is the result of previous generations taking a long view and protecting the mountains, lakes, and rivers within the Blue Line. That tradition continues today as we support and encourage everyone to practice Leave No Trace ethics, which help protect the lands and waters of the Adirondacks.

Leave No Trace Seven Principles