Protected from the elements by four mountains nearby, with ample level terrain for crops, Fourpeaks was "home" to seven Adirondack pioneer families (1720-1940). Look for their fields, cellars, planted trees and shrubs at Sugar, Gypsy, Thoreau, Halsey Straight, Bert Williams Farm and more. The roads and skid trails these settlers made to get to their fields and woodlots are still there, making for easy access to Fourpeaks views and beauty spots. A fire on Basset Mountain in the early 60's left a network of fire roads as well. Salvage harvesting after the great Ice Storm in January '98 improved access to the higher elevations. Fourpeaks 4 mountains (Bassett, Wainwright, Rattlesnake and Ebenezer) are friendly 2,000-foot peaks which can provide hours and days of pleasant discovery with history lessons on the way--for both the seasoned hiker and everyday walker--afoot, or on snowshoes or skis!
The Adirondack Mountain Scenery. Fourpeaks is at the center of a scenic triangle with Whiteface Mountain (3 miles), the Jay Wilderness (Jay Mountain, 4 miles) and the tallest 4,000-foot plus High Peaks (Keene, 10 miles). Spectacular Views! Surrounded by 3,000 acres in other large land holdings and bordered by mountains close by, Fourpeaks is far from development of any kind. On the East Branch of the AuSable River--a NYS Scenic River Corridor.  |
HELP! When on the trails, help us keep them pretty and functional.
1) Pick up light trail litter as you go. Good exercise! 2) Report trails that are overgrown, need cutting. 3) Report trails where flagging is inadequate. 4) Report trails where signs are illegible or where more signs would be useful. 5) Report downed trees. Thanks. |
Rattlesnake Knob.
(PHOTO. View South from Rattlesnake Knob: Ebenezer, High Peaks, Whiteface.)
1.5 miles, Moderate. Start at SW corner of Camp Field by 
Camp Rock, follow (jeep road) generally W 1/10 mile to Three Birches, an old homesite with picnic table. At Perkins Road (Stonehouse Road) continue on jeep road S into Burt Williams Farm, an old homesite with fields, apple trees and a picnic table by old cellar. Continue generally S passing High Meadows (open meadow with views, picnic table, benches and ancient butternut trees). Continue S 1/2 mile to The Great Rock of the Adirondacks, a spectacular glacial unique, picnic table and Fisher Ridge Trail (opposite on left). Follow Fisher Ridge Trail through woods 1/2 mile generally SE to a "T" at West Path. Follow West Path about 300 feet S to rope pull at Notch Trail between Rattlesnake and Ebenezer. Follow Notch Trail generally East (past junction to Ebenezer Trail), to Rattlesnake Junction. Climb up trail to Rattlesnake Knob. Hemlock Grove. Turn N into Hemlock Grove and continue N through deep woods 1/8 mile to Smith Road. Follow this pleasant antique road N 3/8 mile to Old Sugarbush. This 5-acre site was the source of maple sap for maple "sugar" from early times. Look for the remains of old kitchen/hut on short side trail. Many ancient maples, picnic table. Continue N 1/2 mile to end of Smith Road at Oak Hill, Giant Maple and Old Sugar House. Continue 1/4 mile to Sugar Camp and Stonehouse Road. END. 
The Lookout.
(PHOTO. View South from The Lookout: Clements Mountain, Ebenezer Mountain, Rattlesnake Knob.)
1 mile, Moderate. Start at Three Birches. Follow Perkins Road/Stonehouse Road W about 1/4 mile to sign for Lookout Trail generally NE on exposed ledge with views. Stop at Stone Seat with views. Continue to The Lookout with benches, view S, W (Whiteface Mountain) and N (Basset Mountain 100-foot cliffs). Return on Fire Road road past old broken picnic table, generally E to Ledge View (Camp Gate, Ebenezer, Rattlesnake, trail to Ridge Camp). Continue E, then S on Fire Road past Brown's Notch Trail and Zig-Zag Trail to Camp Barn END. 
Optional. On the way to Lookout Trail walk into Second Driveway for Two Maples and Basset View two old fields with picnic table, a quiet spot hidden away from the world and time. Come out on Spruce Trail for dark woods, to Perkins Road and start of Lookout Trail.
Ebenezer Mountain.
(PHOTO. View East from Ebenezer Mountain: Jay Range NY, Green Mountains VT.)
1.75 miles, Difficult. Follow directions for Rattlesnake Knob to Notch Trail generally SE 200 feet to Ebenezer junction. Drop down just 10 feet to East Path and turn right SW about 150 feet to Ebenezer Trail. Turn SE up rough skid path to notch between Ebenezer's double peaks. Follow N up 150 foot rock scramble with rope pull. Continue 600 feet generally SE to Ebenezer Summit and ledges looking S to High Peaks and AuSable River. Find hollow between double peaks and ravine generally N 1/2 mile to East Path. Follow East Path N 500 feet to Old Sugarbush. Alternate route (maybe easier to find.). Start at Old Sugarbush, taking East Path N, reversing above directions.
Camp Rock. (PHOTOS by Gary. Left: View from Camp Rock: Camp Field, Wainwright, New Camp. Right: View from Camp Rock: Camp Field, Jay Mtn.)
1/8 mile, Easy.
At Camp Field climb up Camp Rock by short rope pull or take road W to summit and double back on ridge rock to mountain views, benches.The Brook. Follow the brook N for stone walls, till lines and other evidence of early pioneering activity. Come out at Jim Melvin Farm. Option: Continue on to Cedar Swamp. Cedar Swamp. Get there from Sugar Camp as well. Unique cedar swamp.
Option: Continue on Cedar Trail S to High Cedar Swamp and East Path. Return by Logging Camp, 1-1/2 miles, Moderate.
High Meadow (views, picnic table) and Butternut (ancient trees, picnic table). Option: Continue S to Smith Logging Camp. Indian Spring, stone walls, cattle watering hole (pinic table). Take trail N to Zig-Zag Trail or follow stone wall S to Three Birches. mountain views. Option: Follow Merritt Dubay Trail N to Wolf's Nest. Beauty Spots to explore? Ask Martin about Hamburger Hill and Zero Clearing, two of the many unmarked old roads, just fine for exploring. And Providence Rock, First View, and Glacier Torrent for private meditations.
No guest vehicles. Fourpeaks roads and trails are for walking, hiking and (maybe) bike riding and skiing. Except for short access roads off Stonehouse Road (to Thoreau House, Gypsy Camp, Sugar Camp, New Camp and The Cabin), the use of guest vehicles on Fourpeaks roads and trails is strictly forbidden.
[More about access at Frequently Asked Questions.]