McKenzie Mountain, Mountain summit in Lake Placid, United States
McKenzie Mountain is a forested summit in the Adirondack region of New York State, accessible by two separate trails. One approach starts from Whiteface Inn Road and the other from Route 86 in Ray Brook, each passing through dense woodland on the way up.
The mountain was once called Saddleback because of its two-peak shape, a name that stuck for many years. The trail linking the Lake Shore Path to the top has been maintained by the Shore Owner's Association since 1896 and remains the main route today.
The peak is part of the Saranac Lake 6ers challenge, a series of six summits that hikers work through together. Completing all six is a local goal that brings many people back to this corner of the Adirondacks.
The trail from Whiteface Inn Road is shorter and less demanding, while the path from Ray Brook is longer and requires more stamina. Both routes can get slippery after rain, so sturdy footwear is worth wearing on either approach.
Just before the top, the trail passes over five small rises in a row, each one opening up a different view of the surrounding Adirondacks. This natural terracing makes the final stretch feel more varied than a single long push to the top.
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