Chimney Mountain - Out of the Ordinary

Elevation: 2500 ft

Ascent: 760 ft

Distance: 1 mile

Location: End of Big Brook Road of of Route 30 south of Indian Lake.

You can get to the trailhead by taking Chamberlain road (or ever Parkerville road) south from Route 28 to Big Brook Road and then following it to the end.  Or you can get on Big Brook road by turning east off of Route 30 just south Indian Lake and follow it across Lake Abanakee to where it turns south.  Once you are on Big Brook road south of its intersection with Chamberlain road, the correct route seems like the main road, even after it turns into a very good gravel road near the end.  There are a couple of signs strategically placed at intersections along the way.  Your car trip ends at a private resort parking lot where they require (request) that you pay $2 to park, so bring along a couple of bucks to "feed the meter".  Continue walking further along the parking lot road to near the end of the clearing that is straight ahead.  Near its end you will see some signs for the trail which enters the wood there.

The first part of the trail is a very easy traverse across the hill and includes an ascent of maybe 300 feet.  After that the trail turns decidedly up hill on a much steeper gradient.  The trail follows Adirondack tradition of eschewing switchbacks for the direct approach.  The summit of Chimney "illustrates a complex tectonic origin that has left not only an interesting chimney but also myriad caves".  Some people climb the main chimney.  The area north of the main ridge/summit is a jumble of rocks and "caves" which emit cold air even on a hot summer day. 

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NOTE: For a more complete description of the trail, please see ADK's guide to ADIRONDACK TRAILS - Central Region, pp 64-65.

Have a great hike!
Bob Goodwin