View from Catamount, overlooking the western High Peaks (Photo provided — Diane Chase)

The blueberries are ripening! That is one call to let us know to hit the trail to Catamount. Of course, there are plenty of Adirondack hikes with such summit treats, but Catamount is always a family favorite.

The 1.8-mile hike is challenging, but its benefits always outweigh those challenges.

We always seem to have the same conversations with our visiting friends. What exactly is a catamount? According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, a catamount is any variety of American wildcat such as a lynx, cougar, or mountain lion. The word originated from “cat a mountain,” but is now considered archaic. Though catamounts have not been sighted on their namesake mountain, there is a cougar sighting form on Protect the Adirondacks (protectadks.org) to locate where wild cats have been sighted.

Catamount’s 1.8-mile climb with an elevation of 3,169 feet and an ascent of 1,540 feet is a steep hike, but one doesn’t need to reach the summit to get to the blueberries or a beautiful panoramic view. The trail starts out as a flat wooded walk. No trespassing signs flank areas as we continue along the path warning us to keep to the trail. After crossing a stream at about 0.7 mile, the trail climbs steadily in elevation with several rock scrambles. At about 1.4 miles, we reach the first overlook. The ground is full of blueberry plants, but they need just a bit more time to ripen.

We follow cairns and paint blazes to find our way to the rock chimney. The chimney is narrow, but the only hiker in our group that needs assistance is our dog. It is a steep drop-off along the chimney so we keep close tabs on the youngest in the group.

The next rock scramble is tricky, but a crevice runs the length of rock offering us a bit more purchase. We reach the false summit with more blueberries and a vast view of the High Peaks. Dragonflies keep the pesky insects at bay. We sit and enjoy the beautiful views of Taylor Pond and Union Falls Pond to the northwest and Whiteface and Esther mountains to the south while eating our snack. Though it’s another fourth-mile to the true summit, we choose to stay and watch the sunset.

There is more than one Catamount Mountain in the Adirondack Park. This favorite hike is located near Wilmington, a short distance from Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway.

Take county Route 18 to the right (Gillispie Drive) toward Franklin Falls. Follow the road for about 7 miles, turning right onto Plank Road. Drive on Plank Road/Forestdale Road for 2 miles. The trailhead and parking area is on the left. The trail crosses private property so please be respectful.

Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time: Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities.” For more

family-friendly activities go to www.AdirondackFamily

Time.com.