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Please note: this article is intended as a reference only. It is not a substitute for an updated guidebook and map. Also, travel in the wilderness requires experience and preparation that a guidebook can offer. Always check trail conditions on the DEC website to make sure the trail is open. The Adirondacks are prone to slides, flooding, and trail erosion.
The Tongue Mountain Range cleaves the midsection of Lake George, with the narrowing lake on the east, and Northwest Bay on the west. From Deer Leap to Montcalm Point, the range traverses five notable peaks and mountains, with excellent viewing of Lake George, and two spur trails leading to a northern and western parking area along NY Rt. 9N.
The range itself is relatively dry, requiring the hiker to bring the required quantity for 11+ miles of marked trail. Also, the range harbors the eastern timber rattlesnake, a protected species in New York State. Although rarely seen and non-aggressive, a hiker should wear high-top boots and approach rocky ledges and sunny areas with caution. If encountered, a rattlesnake should not be cornered or teased, instead given wide berth.
There are multiple methods to approach the Tongue Mountain Range. As a day hike, the most strenuous and complete approach requires two vehicles. Otherwise, the range can be broken into two day hikes, covering the northern, and southern sections, bisected by the Five Mile Point Trail.
Directions: From exit 24 on I-87, head east on Valley Wood Road towards Lake George. Valley Wood Road ends at a T-intersection with NY 9N. Turn left (north). The Clay Meadow trailhead is located about 4.5 miles north of the intersection with Valley Wood Rd. Parking is on the east side of the road. For the northern trailhead, continue another five miles past the Clay Meadow Trailhead where you will find parking on the northwest side of the road.. I suggest the Guide to Adirondack Trails: Eastern Region (The Forest Preserve, Vol. 6) (The Forest Preserve Series, Vol 6)
Method 1: Southern Tongue Mountain Range
If I had only one vehicle and one day, I would hike the southern Tongue Mountain Range. If I had less than a full day, I would hike to French Point Mountain and back.
Starting from the western parking area off Rt. 9N, the trail leads to a juncture at .4mi. There are two possible approaches to consider. I suggest taking a right on the Northwest Bay Trail, leading towards Montcalm Point. This approach gives the hiker time to warm up on the easy Northwest Bay Trail, then go through the worst of the Tongue Mountain Range in the First Peak, French Point Mountain area.
The 4.6 mile Northwest Bay Trail is an easy hike, with minimal elevation gain. To the west, the Northwest Bay opens up as it intersects with Lake George. There are a series of streams along the way leading from the Tongue Mountain Range. Various openings in the forest canopy offer a preview of the range itself.
The going can get very wet in spots, especially after vigorous rain. At 5mi from western parking area, a somewhat tricky trail juncture leads further south to Montcalm Point, a .4mi spur that offers a good view of Lake George, and some fireplaces for an interesting overnight.
Taking a left at the juncture, the trail turns back north, heading up the trickiest parts of the Tongue Mountain Range. Rocky outcroppings and steep portions are negotiated to First Peak (1586ft). There are some nice panoramic views of Lake George converging with Northwest Bay, as well as the island speckled Narrows.
At 8.3mi, the summit of French Point Mountain is reached. This is my favorite view of the range, with sweeping panoramics of the Narrows and the Lake George Wild Forest on the opposite side of the lake. At 1.9 miles past this summit, a well worn, but poorly marked spur trail without a guideboard turns right towards the summit of Fifth Peak.
The summit of Fifth Peak is only about a quarter mile away from this juncture. There is a lean-to with fireplace at the summit, as well as some descent views of the lake, although not nearly as nice as French Point Mountain. I prefer not to use this lean-to because it’s not near any water source.
At 10.6mi, there is a four way juncture. Turning right leads to a strenuous 1.7 mile spur hike to the shore of Lake George on Five Mile Point. Going straight, the easier northern portion of Tongue Mountain Range. However, to complete the southern day hike, turn left, hiking 2 miles back to the west parking lot.
Method 2: Northern Tongue Mountain Range
The northern Tongue Mountain Range is the easiest, most well established portion, with the least rewarding views. If bringing only one vehicle, the trail has to be double backed, as there are no loop trails in this section. The shortest and easiest way to hike the northern portion would be to avoid the western parking lot, as it takes two miles just to get to the range. Instead, start at the northern parking lot, where it’s under a mile to the range.
If starting from the north, a trail juncture is reached at .6mi. To the left, the 1.1mi Deer Leap spur trail leads to a modest view of Lake George. Turning right, the range continues.
At 2.6mi, Five Mile Mountain Lean-to is reached. Although a nice area, it suffers from a lack of running water. Continuing over Five Mile Mountain, a four way trail juncture is reached at 5.2mi. If a second vehicle was parked at the western parking lot, take a right at this juncture, traveling 2 miles downhill to parking lot.
To the left, a 1.7mi strenuous spur trail leads to the shore of Lake George on Five Mile Point. This is perhaps the best view encountered if compared to the northern Tongue Mountain Range.
If going straight from juncture, the southern Tongue Mountain Range leads to Montcalm Point. For more information on this area, refer to method 1 hike or method 3 hike. Otherwise, if you have only one vehicle at northern parking area, you are likely going to backtrack the northern Tongue Mountain Range.
Method 3: Strenuous Day Hike, Two Vehicles.
This method requires a hiker with vigorous endurance, as 15.8 miles of not always level terrain can be a real challenge.
I recommend starting from the south. Along this approach, the hiker warms up on the easy Northwest Bay Trail, then commences the more strenuous and difficult to read southern Tongue Mountain Range. This way, the hardest part is done earlier, and the easier to read, easier to hike northern Tongue Mountain Range is saved towards the end of the day.
First park at northern parking area off rt. 9N. Gather all hikers and park second vehicle at western parking area. At .4mi, there is a trail juncture, with the trail to the right leading to Montcalm Point on the Northwest Bay Trail. Take this trail.
The 4.6 mile Northwest Bay Trail is an easy hike, with minimal elevation gain. To the west, the Northwest Bay opens up as it intersects with Lake George. There are a series of streams along the way leading from the Tongue Mountain Range. Various openings in the forest canopy offer a preview of the range itself.
The going can get very wet in spots, especially after vigorous rain. At 5mi from western parking area, a somewhat tricky trail juncture leads further south to Montcalm Point, a .4mi spur that offers a good view of Lake George, and some fireplaces for an interesting overnight.
Taking a left at the juncture, the trail turns back north, heading up the trickiest parts of the Tongue Mountain Range. Rocky outcroppings and steep portions are negotiated to First Peak (1586ft). There are some nice panoramic views of Lake George converging with Northwest Bay, as well as the island speckled Narrows.
At 8.3mi, the summit of French Point Mountain is reached. This is my favorite view of the range, with sweeping panoramics of the Narrows and the Lake George Wild Forest on the opposite side of the lake. At 1.9 miles past this summit, a well worn, but poorly marked spur trail without a guideboard turns right towards the summit of Fifth Peak.
The summit of Fifth Peak is only about a quarter mile away from this juncture. There is a lean-to with fireplace at the summit, as well as some descent views of the lake, although not nearly as nice as French Point Mountain. I prefer not to use this lean-to because it’s not near any water source.
At 10.6mi, there is a four way juncture. Turning left leads 2 miles to the west parking lot. Turning right leads to a strenuous 1.7 mile hike to the shore of Lake George on Five Mile Point. Going straight, the easier northern portion of Tongue Mountain Range continues.
The worst of the northern portion is encountered at the outset, as the trail ascends to the highest summit on the range, Five Mile Mountain (2256ft). At 13.2mi, Five Mile Mountain Lean-to is encountered. The second lean-to of the Tongue Mountain Range also suffers for being distant from any water sources, though it enjoys an equally appealing view.
At 15.2mi, another trail juncture is reached. Turning left leads .6mi to the northern parking area. Turning right leads to the 1.1mi Deer Leap spur trail, not nearly as impressive as the southern Tongue Mountain Range views.
A Note For Backpackers
If you’re backpacking along the range, you may consider setting up camp along the brook on Five Mile Point Trail, or somewhere along Northwest Bay Brook, Montcalm Point. otherwise, the lean-tos on the range are not close to any water sources.
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