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Flume Knob

This little beauty is not really on anyone’s radar, but it should be. This knob of rock has had an unofficial trail up it for quite some time, and eventually, as with most local trails, it has gotten adopted and maintained, even marked with trail disks and signs.

It gets the name Flume Knob because of its close proximity to the Flume Falls. To visit the peak and the stellar views it offers, the best location to start is at the Flume Falls parking area, which is off state Route 86, just south of Wilmington. The trail is roughly 2 miles in length and varies from an easy stroll along some mountain bike trails to a much more aggressive climb up steep terrain — a nice mix if you ask me.

Enjoying the view from above the clouds on North Esther Mountain. (Photo — Spencer Morrissey)

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Bear Den

As a neighbor to Flume Knob, Bear Den Mountain gets even less attention, mainly due to the fact it’s not really on anyone’s to-do list. It is rarely talked about.

The start location is a bit different. Just locate the Bear Den parking lot at the Whiteface Ski Center and start there.

Use the mountain bike trail system to start and gain the hiking trail up between the two rocky bumps of the mountain. The trail is a steady climb, steep in a couple spots but not what would be called aggressive.

In the col with the two bumps, Bear Den South is to your left and the trail continues up to the rocky summit as it weaves through dense blueberry bush growth. The north summit requires a short bushwhack which is quite dense, but if you are able and experienced enough to challenge it, it’s worth it. The view however, is nearly the same as the trailed summit.

The name Bear Den comes from frequent sightings of bears on the peak and the rocky features that often create wintering dens for black bears.

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Cobble Lookout

Another one of the instances where a local trail has become official and has a “knock your socks off” view. Located just past the toll road for Whiteface Mountain you can find the fairly new trail, still an infant in its current official state.

The trail is relatively flat with minimal gain or loss as you traverse the slopes of Morgan Mountain to a bald perch of rock and rubble with an outstanding view of the Jay Range and Esther Mountain.

The peak resembles a “cobble,” which is just like it sounds. It has the appearance of being put together haphazardly, cobbling a bunch of rocks together.

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North Esther

Yes, Esther has a north summit. Sure it doesn’t get talked about much — almost as much as it gets climbed — but that may be due to the fact that there is no trail to its bald summit.

Located north of the true summit of the 46er High Peak resides this gem of the wilderness. The best approach is from the Veteran’s Memorial Highway toll road, but I’ll be honest, no matter how you do it, it’s a tough stroll. This peak should only be attempted by those with orientation, map and compass skill, GPS and, of course, a willingness to get slapped around by spruce and balsam trees.

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Stewart Cobble

Yeah, I know, another cobble. Stewart Cobble is in reference to it location off the shoulder of Stewart Mountain, which is a much higher summit in the Sentinel Range Wilderness.

This one really doesn’t get any attention from hikers. Maybe a bit from rock climbers and a few photographers who enjoy a wilderness shoot, but you’d be hard pressed to find a print from actual foot traffic. Located across the road from the Whiteface Ski Center and the Wilmington Notch Campground you will find this rock-ledged summit waiting for the wanting. Sure, there’s no trail to the top but only a minimal amount of orientation skills can get you there.

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[This article appears in the June-July issue of Embark. Embark is a free, bi-monthly publication that focuses on outdoors-related topics in the Adirondack Park. Embark is published by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise and Lake Placid News.]