Brian Jenkins - Oct 12, 2023 3:21 pm Date Climbed: Oct 5, 2023
windy
Parking is terrible as the lot was full. Nice hike up, cool summit area and rocks. Was very windy but great views. With Flanders.
JRaphaelson - Jul 7, 2019 8:16 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2019
Excellent Peak!
Loved the rolling first part and the steep final pitches to the top. Great short hike!
technicolorNH - Aug 20, 2018 1:40 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2018
In the pouring rain
The weather forecast for the day was terrible so rather than do a 4000 footer I figured I would climb this instead. It was foggy and humid so by the time I got to the top I wished it would cool down a bit and that was when the heavens opened. Thirty mph winds (with higher gusts) mixed with driving rain made the exposed bedrock slab on top a lot more interesting to move around on than I was expecting. Still, the rock is good quality and I am heavy so I didn't have to crawl around too much. I'll have to come back in good weather to see what the view looks like. The family of five from western NY up there slightly before me didn't get to see much either.
JCNDG - Oct 23, 2014 7:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2013
6er completion
Finished the Saranac Lake 6er's challenge with this one. Ampersand was my favorite of the 6.
chilkoot - Oct 8, 2014 11:00 pm Date Climbed: Oct 5, 2014
One of the best views
Second time on the top of this one. The views of the Saranac Lakes, Whiteface, Algonquin and the Seward Range make this a great hike for not too much effort.
derekthered - Aug 9, 2012 2:03 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2012
&
Hiked up here with my dad, my brother and some friends from high school. Gotta hand it to the ADK Club for the spectacular trail maintenance on what was obviously once a very eroded trail; the summit offers wonderful views of the lake region.
I started this hike in the afternoon to avoid the early crowds. I watched the sunset from the summit and then spent the night just below treeline. There are a couple good spots to set up a tent just east of the summit.
lalpinist - Mar 5, 2007 4:13 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 1992
great climb as part of a canoe/hiking trip.....hiked it many times for '72-'92
CRiedel2 - Jun 5, 2006 11:57 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2004
Nice Family Hike
I climbed Ampersand Mountain in September 2004 with my wife and 3 year old son. This is a very nice hike and we had terrific weather. The first half of the hike was easy with streams along the way that kids love playing in. Further on, the trail started getting steeper and I found myself grabbing small trees and roots to help pull myself up the steep parts while my son rode on my shoulders. The steeper section was a heard path rather than trail, but the trail starts again further up, easy enough to follow. My wife was pregnant, so she stopped about 1/2 way along the trail. There was a small bit of rock climbing at the top to reach the summit, which is a huge boulder. The views are outstanding from the rocky summit. You're sure to enjoy this hike if you visit the Adirondack Mountains about 30 minutes west of Lake Placid, NY.
UPDATE: I hike Ampersand Mt several times a year now to stay in shape. Last hiked on 16 April 2015. First half of the hike was clear and a little muddy, second half of the hike was still thick packed snow and ice on the trail. Nice spring day, perfect weather.
Route Climbed: trail from rt 30 Date Climbed: 2/5/06
The best hike of the year so far.. hiked it alone in about 2 hours.. there was no snow at the trailhead but when you get towards the top, cramons were much needed.. good hike and the forest is unique in itself..
Ampersand was a great climb. We camped on Middle Saranac Lake over 4th of July weekend in 2001 and decided to climb Ampersand. While it might not be one of the 46, just because it doesn't reach 4000 feet doesn't mean it lacks a great view. The view might be even better since there aren't many other peaks around it.
One thing that did surprise me was the graffitti at the top. When did FAMILIES start writing their names in big letters all over the place?
We ran into one women on the hike who said that she does the hike every year because it was her grandfather's favorite place. When he died the whole family climbed up and released his ashes from the summit.
Brian Jenkins - Oct 12, 2023 3:21 pm Date Climbed: Oct 5, 2023
windyParking is terrible as the lot was full. Nice hike up, cool summit area and rocks. Was very windy but great views. With Flanders.
JRaphaelson - Jul 7, 2019 8:16 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2019
Excellent Peak!Loved the rolling first part and the steep final pitches to the top. Great short hike!
technicolorNH - Aug 20, 2018 1:40 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2018
In the pouring rainThe weather forecast for the day was terrible so rather than do a 4000 footer I figured I would climb this instead. It was foggy and humid so by the time I got to the top I wished it would cool down a bit and that was when the heavens opened. Thirty mph winds (with higher gusts) mixed with driving rain made the exposed bedrock slab on top a lot more interesting to move around on than I was expecting. Still, the rock is good quality and I am heavy so I didn't have to crawl around too much. I'll have to come back in good weather to see what the view looks like. The family of five from western NY up there slightly before me didn't get to see much either.
JCNDG - Oct 23, 2014 7:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2013
6er completionFinished the Saranac Lake 6er's challenge with this one. Ampersand was my favorite of the 6.
chilkoot - Oct 8, 2014 11:00 pm Date Climbed: Oct 5, 2014
One of the best viewsSecond time on the top of this one. The views of the Saranac Lakes, Whiteface, Algonquin and the Seward Range make this a great hike for not too much effort.
derekthered - Aug 9, 2012 2:03 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2012
&Hiked up here with my dad, my brother and some friends from high school. Gotta hand it to the ADK Club for the spectacular trail maintenance on what was obviously once a very eroded trail; the summit offers wonderful views of the lake region.
mike_lindacher - Jul 10, 2011 9:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2011
Very NiceReal decent summit. Excellent views.
forgues9999 - May 1, 2011 12:06 am Date Climbed: Oct 3, 1998
Family hikeClimbed on a gorgeous day with two kids. Gorgeous view of the lake region
ScAtTeRbOnE - Nov 5, 2010 12:38 pm Date Climbed: Nov 3, 2010
Excellent View!!Icy and light snow on the steep trail up. Great views of the Western High Peaks and Ampersand Lake as well as many other Mtns and Lakes.
LDuszer - Oct 7, 2010 11:14 am
360-degree summit viewsI started this hike in the afternoon to avoid the early crowds. I watched the sunset from the summit and then spent the night just below treeline. There are a couple good spots to set up a tent just east of the summit.
lalpinist - Mar 5, 2007 4:13 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 1992
Sunny DayAEC Club Hike.
jvarholak - Jan 21, 2007 2:50 pm
surf and turfgreat climb as part of a canoe/hiking trip.....hiked it many times for '72-'92
CRiedel2 - Jun 5, 2006 11:57 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2004
Nice Family HikeI climbed Ampersand Mountain in September 2004 with my wife and 3 year old son. This is a very nice hike and we had terrific weather. The first half of the hike was easy with streams along the way that kids love playing in. Further on, the trail started getting steeper and I found myself grabbing small trees and roots to help pull myself up the steep parts while my son rode on my shoulders. The steeper section was a heard path rather than trail, but the trail starts again further up, easy enough to follow. My wife was pregnant, so she stopped about 1/2 way along the trail. There was a small bit of rock climbing at the top to reach the summit, which is a huge boulder. The views are outstanding from the rocky summit. You're sure to enjoy this hike if you visit the Adirondack Mountains about 30 minutes west of Lake Placid, NY.
UPDATE: I hike Ampersand Mt several times a year now to stay in shape. Last hiked on 16 April 2015. First half of the hike was clear and a little muddy, second half of the hike was still thick packed snow and ice on the trail. Nice spring day, perfect weather.
locationA_D_D85 - Feb 10, 2006 1:07 pm
Route Climbed: trail from rt 30 Date Climbed: 2/5/06The best hike of the year so far.. hiked it alone in about 2 hours.. there was no snow at the trailhead but when you get towards the top, cramons were much needed.. good hike and the forest is unique in itself..
sajego - Aug 3, 2004 9:53 am
Date Climbed: July 6, 2001Ampersand was a great climb. We camped on Middle Saranac Lake over 4th of July weekend in 2001 and decided to climb Ampersand. While it might not be one of the 46, just because it doesn't reach 4000 feet doesn't mean it lacks a great view. The view might be even better since there aren't many other peaks around it.
One thing that did surprise me was the graffitti at the top. When did FAMILIES start writing their names in big letters all over the place?
We ran into one women on the hike who said that she does the hike every year because it was her grandfather's favorite place. When he died the whole family climbed up and released his ashes from the summit.
I'd like to live closer to the mountains.
SMILLER - Jun 19, 2004 8:01 pm
Route Climbed: ROUTE 3 Date Climbed: JUNE,13,2004VERY NICE TRAIL THROUGH MATURE FOREST,UPPER TRAIL BADLY ERRODED, GREAT 360 VIEWS-OF LAKE AND MOUNTAIN AREAS.