Witch Walk Halloween Hike!

by Tsionatiio

Halloween is just around the corner. Why not celebrate early – while hiking on a mountain – in the evening, of course. On Sunday October 17, a large contingent of witches gathered their brooms, crooked hats and cloaks and headed to Cobble Lookout. Making the 1.3-mile trek each way, this new trail is sure to become very popular because it is an easy hike to a spectacular view of the Ausable Valley and the surrounding mountains – offering the best view for the least effort.

To find Cobble Lookout - Head toward Wilmington from downtown Lake Placid. From the four corners in Wilmington, take Route 431 for 3 miles. At the three-way intersection with the Whiteface Memorial Highway, bear right on Gillespie Drive (county Route 18A on some maps). Continue for 0.3 mile to the trailhead and parking area on the right, just past Lake Stevens.

The start is marked by a sign at the highway and with blue markers on the trail itself. From the trailhead, an old road leads up gradually to an old quarry. Past the quarry, the trail is flat for a few yards before turning up and left and climbing in stages to a broad shelf at 0.4 mile from the trailhead. From here, the trail is mostly flat or gently rolling to the ledge at 1.1 miles from the trailhead. Santa's Workshop is directly below the ledge with Wilmington further below. The great bulk of Whiteface and Esther mountains are to the right, with Giant Mountain and other High Peaks straight ahead. Just watch out for witches and goblins along the way.