Six-Year-Old Akwesasronon Earns Saranac 6er Hiking Patch

By Kaniehtonkie

Earlier this March, a young and determined girl set out to hike the Saranac 6er – during the winter. On March 13th, she achieved that goal. Elle Cree, daughter of Annie and Evan Cree hiked six mountains in the Adirondacks to earn the official Saranac 6er patch.

Annie stated, "Oh, my sweetheart I will never underestimate you again my brave little girl. You are truly amazing. I'm so beyond proud of this little munchkin!! You are amazing."

Elle started hiking when she was three years old, with no carrier or wagon. Her mom said they just go at her pace and she's never backed down or given up. Elle thoroughly enjoys her hikes no matter what kind of weather they face. Being prepared and dressing for the weather is essential for every hiker.

Since the beginning of the pandemic Elle has earned ten patches.

The Saranac 6er Mountains include:

McKenzie - 10 miles, 2221' Ascent, 3822' Elevation

Ampersand - 5.4 miles, 1775' Ascent, 3353' Elevation

Scarface - 6.8 miles, 1480' Ascent, 3054' Elevation

Haystack - 6.6 miles, 1302' Ascent, 2864' Elevation

St. Regis - 6.6 miles, 1266' Ascent, 2874' Elevation

Baker - 1.8 miles, 884' Ascent, 2452' Elevation

To earn yourself a Saranac 6er the rules are simple.

• You may complete the 6er challenge in as much time as you like. If it takes months, years, even decades, you can still be a 6er.

• Hikers can become Ultra 6ers by summiting all six peaks in 24 hours.

• Hikers can become Winter 6ers by climbing the peaks during the winter season.

• No biking.

• No boating.

• Obey all NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) rules.

• Obey all traffic rules.

• No trespassing.

• Use proper trail etiquette - "Leave-No-Trace".

• Always call DEC Emergency Dispatch in case of emergency: 518-891-0235.

• Know your limits and weather conditions.

Once a hiker has finished this challenge, they should mail the Village of Saranac Lake details on the date they climbed, time spent on the summit, mailing address, and $5 postage at the following address: Village of Saranac Lake, Saranac Lake 6ers, 39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.

In return, hikers receive their 6er swag: a patch, sticker, member number, and bragging rights - plus they get to ring the traditional 6er bell in the village square of Saranac Lake.

The 6ers are a great introduction to hiking in the Adirondacks. Along the way you'll find rewards aplenty: gently rolling terrain, bird-filled wetlands, towering pine forests, and steep, challenging ascents that lead to outstanding views of mountains and water.

Not all 6ers are created equal, which can make it difficult to know where to begin. Start by downloading the Saranac Lake 6er map, then try Mount Baker or St. Regis Mountain, they're the easiest of the bunch and particularly good for people hiking with kids. Work your way up to the more difficult climbs, where higher elevations reward hikers with more expansive views. Once you've completed all six, you've earned bragging rights and a 6er patch.

For more information checkout https://www.saranaclake.com/saranac-lake-6er