While steep in spots, this short hike from Crow Clearing to the summit of Big Crow offers one of the Adirondacks' best "small" mountain views. The views include the valley of the East Branch of the Ausable River and 28 of the major 4,000-foot peaks. A trail does continue past Big Crow to Little Crow and Hurricane Road. 

Big Crow is one of the Lake Placid 9er mountains.

Key statistics

• Distance: 1.2 miles round trip
• Elevation: 2,828 feet
• Elevation gain: 600 feet

Hiking Big Crow

Don't let the milage fool you! This short climb is steep. The trail immediately begins climbing. A possible side trip over Nun-da-ga-o Ridge and Weston Mountain is also possible from here, though those destinations will require following a herd path. 

Big Crow in the winter

In the winter, the road is not plowed all the way to the trailhead. Instead, you will park roughly 0.3 miles from the start. The steeper sections of Big Crow can get very icy, as well as the road walk in, so be sure to bring both snowshoes and microspikes. 

How to get there

From Lake Placid, go 15 miles east on Route 73 to Keene. At 200 yards past the intersection with Route 9N in Keene, turn left on Hurricane Road at the Keene Town Hall. At just over 2 miles from Route 73, bear left on O'Toole Lane (dirt) for 1.2 miles to the end at Crow Clearing. The trail to Big Crow begins on the left side of the clearing. (In winter, the end of plowing is 0.3 mile before Crow Clearing, and this final stretch is usually closed during muddy spring season as well).