Jay Mountain

An undulating woods hike to multiple stunning views.

Hike Length: 5.3 miles (8.53 km)

Total Ascent: 2,000ft (610m)

Intensity: Moderate Adirondacks Hike

Route Type: Out-and-Back

Includes: Blazed Trail, Rock Scrambles

Parent Jay

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Jay Mountain summit in the Adirondacks

Jay Mountain view

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 Undulating out-and-back.

This Jay Mountain Hiking Trail is one of my top hikes from 2022. It’s quiet-quiet-quiet until, all of a sudden, major wow views. This is an absolute jewel of a hike.

This hike is in two parts. This first part covers the hike to Jay Mountain Lookout, Blueberry Lookout, and Jay’s western summit.

The second section is covered in Jay Mountain Ridge which is an astonishing hike between Jay Mountain’s two summits — with insane views along the way.

Who doesn’t love a ridge walk? It’s why I picked this hike. But I had no idea it would make for such an incredible day. I can’t wait to do this route again.

This trail guide covers the initial climb to Jay Mountain’s western summit and the beginning of the ridge.

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Jay Mountain Hiking Trail

This hiking trail includes…

  • Undulating woods trail
  • Multiple excellent lookouts
  • Jay Mountain’s western summit
  • Decent cell coverage most of the way

This trail guide is new. The hike was completed on 10/6/22 under which date this page will eventually be filed.

Jay Mountain Hiking Trail Notes & Gallery

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The trail register a little way into the woods.

This route is 90% woods walk, extremely lovely in the fall. Until you gain the summit of Jay Mountain, there are no views.

Jay Mountain is busy. On this day, I passed many Canadians. It must be on their radar as a key destination. You’ll soon see why.

Follow the trail over the ridges and furrows for 2.3 miles until you come to this junction…

trail signposts on Jay Mountain
Jay signage

The first pair of lookouts is 250ft to the left.

Jay Mountain Lookouts

The first lookout is pretty great, overlooking Hurricane Mountain into the Adirondack High Peaks…

Jay Mountain Lookout
Jay Lookout 1

Jay Mountain Lookout
Jay Lookout 1

And lots of other lower Adirondack peaks…

Jay Mountain Lookout
Jay Lookout 1

But push past this first lookout to get to the second lookout, which is bananas…

Jay Mountain Lookout
Jay Lookout 2

You can see Jay Mountain’s eastern summit and Lake Champlain in the distance…

Jay Mountain Lookout
Jay Lookout 2

Jay Mountain Lookout
Jay Lookout 2

Jay Mountain Lookout
Jay Lookout 2

Jay Mountain Lookout
Jay Lookout 2

Just incredible views all round…

Jay Mountain Lookout
Jay Lookout 2

From here, it’s a short easy hike back to the junction, and then to Blueberry Lookout and the summit of Jay Mountain.

Blueberry Lookout

On the way to the summit, you’ll pass through a huge blueberry heath with great views of the glen below.

Jay Mountain Ridge
Jay ridge views

Jay Mountain ridge
Hurricane Mountain in the distance

Jay Mountain
Jay Mountain ridge views

Jay Mountain Summit

The summit itself is unremarkable, although there are some sweet peekaboo views along the way.

The marked trail ends Jay’s western summit. From here, you have the choice to head back to the trailhead, or to continue on, via an unmarked and difficult herd path, to Jay Mountain’s eastern summit — the hike along Jay Mountain Ridge is one of the most spectacular hikes I’ve ever done.

Similar Hikes

Check out the add-on section hike over Jay Mountain Ridge.

This hike is one of the most scenic hikes I’ve completed.

This a popular hike and a moderate hike.

It is definitely one of the best hikes.

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The parent mountain for this hike is Jay.

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Trailhead Info for this Hike

Smallish road-side lot.

Google Maps Location: 44.315795, -73.720652

The map below shows the exact topographic location of the trailhead

Cell Service

Medium LTE signal at trailhead. Good cell coverage for most of route. My network is Verizon. YMMV.