Baxter Mountain offers outstanding views and great blueberry picking in season, making it an excellent hike for the entire family. It is one of the Lake Placid 9er mountains. Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles on your hike up Baxter Mountain.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 2.4 miles round trip
• Elevation: 2,440 feet
• Elevation gain: 840 feet

Hiking Baxter Mountain

It's a mostly moderate, 1.2 mile hike to the summit. The path begins at a moderate grade as it passes under a power line, then there's a continuous but moderate climb over switchbacks for 0.8 miles, where the Beede Farm Trail comes in on the left. Go straight and work your way up a few steep steps to the first open rock. This first lookout is not the summit — that's a bit farther along the ridge. Past the summit, a lesser-used trail descends to Beede Road in Keene Valley.

Baxter in the winter

Parking is roadside and should be clear in the winter. This is a great snowshoe option for beginners or for those looking to stretch their legs.

How to get there

Leave Lake Placid on Route 73 and head west, toward Keene. Continue through Keene and turn left on Route 9N toward Elizabethtown. Continue for about 2 miles to the top of the hill and park at the trailhead on the right — look for the DEC sign. If you come to Baxter Mountain Tavern you have gone a bit too far.