Fulton County Five Hiking Challenge
Welcome to the Fulton County Five Hiking Challenge!
The Fulton County Tourism Department is proud to announce a new hiking challenge to Upstate New York.
The Fulton County Five is a 5 hike challenge for locals and tourists to participate in and enjoy the beauty of local hiking.
Hiking challenges are designed to give people an opportunity to visit new places and explore new trails. This challenge is on a beginner/intermediate level and would be challenging but completable.
This initiative was started as a conversation with Randy Gardinier, local hiking enthusiast. Gardinier has always enjoyed hiking and has done sections of the Northville-Placid trail as well as a few high peaks in the Adirondacks. In the spring of 2020, amid the pandemic, his cousin had shared with the Adirondack 50 Falls Challenge book, which leads participants to 50 waterfalls in all corners of the Adirondacks from roadside cascades to hikes more than 10 miles. Along with seeing new places, it provided good exercise, and he spent time, although often distanced, connecting with family, friends and loved ones in a way that has led us to looking to continue different challenges this year. Gardinier grew up in the area and has chaired the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation for over 22 years. He has been a supporter of Fulton County and all it has to offer. Gardinier also said- “I realized how much I enjoyed these other places that were new to me and that a local challenge could be another way to showcase our area while garnering some tourism dollars along the way.”
How do you complete the challenge? There are 5 hikes to climb on this challenge. You can hike them in any order, and have one year from beginning to end to complete.
Accepting this challenge means you understand and acknowledge the hazards and risks associated with hiking and you release Fulton County Tourism and the Fulton County Visitor’s Bureau of risk and liability.
Hike Smart NY– please review Carry In Carry Out guidelines and other hiking tips here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28708.html
The Fulton County Five Hiking Challenge Trails:
Nine Corner Lake: A gradual uphill climb passing several mountain streams. Nine Corner lake has crystal-clear water with several large rock outcroppings along the shore. The trail continues along the south side of the lake, enabling a longer hike if desired.
Trail length– 0.9 miles to lake. Trail difficulty- Easy
Trail Head/Parking Directions- Trail head is on the north side of Route 29A, less than 0.1 miles from the intersection of Route 10/29A.
Kane Mountain- The trail follows an old jeep road to a restored fire tower and observer’s cabin. Breathtaking views, including eight lakes in the area that can be observed from the fire tower.
Trail length– 0.9 miles to lake. Trail difficulty- Moderate
Trail Head/Parking Directions- Turn on Green Lake Road (off of Route 29A). Once on Green Lake Road, go half off a mile and bear left at the park to parking.
Stewart and Indian Lake- The trail is mostly flat, passing by Stewart Lake (1.4 miles) and then on to Indian Lake.
Trail length– 2.2 miles one way. Trail difficulty- Easy/Moderate
Trail Head/Parking Directions- Turn on Green Lake Road (off of Route 29A). After 0.5 miles, bear left at the fork to parking. The trail head is several hundred feet past the parking area to the right.
Willie Wildlife Marsh- Explore a wetland habitat with a viewing platform and boardwalks that traverse the marsh and open areas.
Trail length– 1.5 mile loop. Option of a .03 mile paved accessibility trail. Trail difficulty- Easy
Trail Head/Parking Directions- Trail head is 1.8 miles down Willie Road (turn is off Route 29A).
Mud Lake- Mud Lake is a nice trail to enjoy the scenery of the Adirondack Park. Part of Northville/Lake Placid trail.
Trail length– 3.9 miles to lake and back. Trail difficulty- Moderate
Trail Head/Parking- Directions- NYS Route 30, and to County Highway 123 to Collins-Gifford Valley Road in Northampton.
After completion of the hiking challenge, please click here to complete the form. Please give 4-6 weeks for your patch and certificate to be mailed to you.
*This patch was created by Makiya Smith, a PTECH sophomore from Mayfield. While creating her design, she knew she wanted a five-point shape to split five ways for each trail. Smith used photos presented for design inspiration, highlighted the Kane Mountain Fire Tower, the bridge at Willie Marsh and the rocks at Nine Corner Lake.
Additional Tourism department information:
Carla Kolbe, Fulton County Tourism Coordinator
Fulton County Visitor’s Bureau
1 E. Montgomery St., Johnstown, NY 12095
(518) 736-5921
ckolbe@fultoncountyny.gov
Fulton County NY website – www.fultoncountyny.gov