Haystack and McKenzie Mountains
September 19, 2020 | Lake Placid, NY
Quick note: this post is in reference to the smaller Haystack mountain in the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness, part of the Saranac Lake 6er - not the one that’s part of the ADK 46 High Peaks. But don’t worry, I’ll cover that one day!
The background: I began the Saranac Lake 6er challenge a few weeks earlier and had a goal to complete the series this particular September trip. I decided to fit them in after a (super fun) hike with Ely up Loon Lake Mountain in the morning. I was going to see how I felt afterwards and then make my way back to Lake Placid for Haystack and McKenzie, if I was up for it. I felt great afterwards, so naturally - went for it. My time in the mountains is usually limited and precious, so I try to be out on the trail as often as I can!
Getting there: To the Jackrabbit trailhead from Lake Placid town, head west on route 86, and turn right onto Whiteface Inn Lane (the corner with an Antiques store.) After about 1.3 miles, the trailhead will be on your left. You can park parallel with the road (so long as it doesn’t say no parking…or the usual signs not to park somewhere.) It’s a little bit past Hemlock Way; if you’ve reached Blodget Way, you’ve gone too far. There is also a trailhead on route 86, but this write-up will reference the Jackrabbit trail approach from Lake Placid.
The route: 8.5 miles via the Jackrabbit trail, out-and-back: first to Haystack, then back to the junction and up McKenzie.
As mentioned above, you can also take the trail from route 86- I haven’t done this section yet, but heard it’s a longer day from this approach.
The challenge: These two summits are part of the Saranac Lake 6er challenge. You can learn more about it here.
Haystack Mountain:
I parked on the road behind quite a few cars. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, so I wasn’t at all surprised how many people were out, and it was already past noon. I was looking forward to finishing the Saranac Lake 6-er challenge on McKenzie, but would first tackle the easier of the 2, Haystack.
If you’re driving down the road from 86, the start to the trailhead will be on the left side of the road. I saw an educator’s set-up in the entrance, said hello, and continued on the trail. The Jackrabbit trail is relatively flat and was a pleasant warm-up for me to begin the second part of my day. I approached a sign which indicated I was 1.5 miles from the lean-to, and 3.5 miles from McKenzie. Note, if you are looking at my photo below of the sign, you aren’t actually that far from Haystack; this mileage listed is if you take a left off the Jackrabbit trail at the junction, and loop up the other side (how you would approach from route 86; I hope this makes sense.)
I soon passed the lean-to on the right, enjoying the start of autumn foliage and keeping a steady pace. After almost 2 miles on the trail, I reached the 4-way junction I had been looking out for. I kept straight on the Jackrabbit trail, until I reached the cairn on the left (about .4 miles from the junction) which would take me up to Haystack. If you reach McKenzie pond, you’ve gone too far- there isn’t a sign for this besides the cairn, so you’ll have to be on the lookout during this section. This was still a rather pleasant climb, nothing technical nor challenging to navigate. Less than half a mile later, I found myself on the summit – and could barely find a place to soak it all in! I could see why this is a popular peak, and it was a Saturday – so it was understandable how crowded it was. I was glad everyone was out enjoying the great weather and September sunshine. That said, I kept my break brief, knowing it was already the afternoon and I had McKenzie waiting for me. I waved goodbye to the view (there is one!) and knew I would certainly be back here one day when I had some more time.
McKenzie Mountain
In no time, I was turning right at the cairn and was headed east on the Jackrabbit trail to meet the junction for McKenzie. I made sure not to miss it as time was off the essence, and soon turned left to begin my ascent of my final Saranac Lake 6er summit.
I had been warned from various hikers’ reports and research that this one would be tough, for many reasons including the elevation gain and terrain, but I figured I had completed a few of the High Peaks, so this shouldn’t be much of a problem for me. OMG – that’s all I can say! This trail was challenging – I even lost my way at one point early on my ascent. I happened to see a couple descending, so followed where they were to get back on the actual trail. I did find it hard to follow at some points, but I was also alone on my third peak of the day, so could have been fatigued and a bit tired by this point. After some rock and root scrambling, and meticulously watching my footing, I made it to the first section – easier to navigate and flatter terrain – but still not the McKenzie summit. I saw the grand summit in the distance, looming and waiting for me. How much further until I was there?! It was getting later in the afternoon and the sun no longer graced us with its presence as it used to this late in the nearly-autumn season. But I had to keep going. I made it this far, after all…
I pushed myself to keep going, watching my footing and the sparse trail markers, as to not lose any more time. By 4:05, I made it to the summit – finally! It was still a beautiful, clear day, so I relished my challenge completion (well almost…still had to get down) by myself and took some celebratory summit photos. There is a summit sign somewhere (I didn’t see it?!) but it is up there, as I learned after the fact. The trail keeps going, even past the summit, which I believe is private property – you will be descending the same way you ascended. After a few minutes rehydrating and exchanging greetings with another hiker, I packed up and began my descent. I was prepared to walk out in the dark with illumination If I had to, but my goal was to get back to the Jackrabbit trail safely and off the harsh, eroded terrain of the McKenzie trail before sunset. For some reason (unlike all my other hikes) I was focused and made it back to the junction for the Jackrabbit in nearly no time, as I passed a few hikers on their way up for presumably a sunset hike. I made it out well before dark, exhausted but absolutely beaming from another wonderfully adventurous day spent in the Adirondack mountains.
Concluding notes: McKenzie is a tougher summit, almost up there with some of the High Peaks, and the most difficult in my opinion of the Saranac Lake 6ers; however, it is not impossible with some focus, preparedness, and determination on your part. You will be working the whole way up; be alert, since sometimes the trail is hard to follow (but maybe I was just losing focus.) I completed this solo, but part of me wishes I went with a buddy to cheer me on - the relentlessness of the trail was getting to my head! This hike tested my mental strength, for sure- there were times I wanted to turn around, I won’t lie. But I was proud after completion, knowing I had put in the work, strengthening and flexing my internal motivation muscles.
My recommendation for an ideal day and what you can pair this hike with:
This is a challenging and fun day on its own, but if you still have some energy, you could finish the day with Baker Mountain, a steep, but quick hike nearby. This mountain is also part of the Saranac Lake 6er challenge.
Treat yourself to the ‘Dack Shack or any of the restaurants in Lake Placid, or further down route 86 in Ray Brook or Saranac Lake – you worked hard for McKenzie!
