Near Scarface Mountain
View from the rock cleaning at 3 miles

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Hike Trail

Scarface Mountain

4.0 (1 Rating)
One of the Saranac Lake 6ers, Scarface is a moderate trail with an fair view.
3.5
mi
Distance
1,555
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Fall ColorsFamily FriendlyRiver/CreekViewsWildlife
Access Issues
Bring insect repellent! The first two miles provided swarms of mosquitoes just waiting for you to stop. However, if you can tough it out until a little higher elevation, the bugs thin out significantly.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
3.5mi
Distance
1,555ft
Elevation Gain
62ft
Elevation Loss
25%
Max Grade
3,072ft
High Point
1,565ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
Start by singing in at the trailhead and then head south to soon cross a railroad track. After about a half-mile, you'll traverse a wooden footbridge over Ray Brook. The trail is so thickly cushioned with pine needles that you'll wonder if anyone else has been on the trail for some time. The first 1.6 miles are through a thick, moss-covered woods. At 1.6 miles, the trail takes a sharp, well-marked left. Continue on the trail a short ways before connecting with a small creek. The trail begins to take on grade here. At the 2.0 mile mark, cross the brook and begin up a steeper grade. It's a continuous uphill from this point on. At 2.75 miles, the trail gets even steeper with some occasional small rock scrambling and plenty of mud. By 3.0 miles you're rewarded with a view of the mountains around you. There is a small clearing on a rock face that provides a nice view and a good place to take a break. Many think this is the summit, but you're not quite there. If you came for a view, you might as well head back now. If you want to claim that you climbed the mountain, you must continue. For the final 0.6 miles, hikers follow the ridge at the top of the mountain, where you can see the sky between the trees when you look both left and right. A very gentle rolling trail will eventually lead you to a rock in the middle of the woods. You'll see a round marker that says "Scarface Mtn" on it. You have reached the summit! Sadly however, there's no view to top it all off. On your return to the car, the mud and rocks from before conspire to make your last memory a painful one, but if you take your time, it is very manageable.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
Anonymous Adventurer
Closed
Officially Closed Sign
Bridge over Ray Brook has been closed, which closes the trail. At this time we’re told there is not date of repair scheduled.
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Contributors
Mike Biolsi