Flume trail hiking1/22/2024 ![]() ![]() At the intersection with the Whiteface upper connector, the trail is marked merely by a “no bicycles allowed” marker on a tree. If you choose to hike Bear Den, the beginning of this trail is less well-marked than that of Flume Knob. This peak is also part of the Lake Placid 9er Hiking Challenge if that's anything you're inspired to do. The view from the top of Bear Den is quite striking, giving you a close-up of Whiteface and the slides on its southeastern face. While both trails have lookouts that face only in one direction, they each face out in near-opposite directions, giving a unique view from each. Both Bear Den and Flume Knob have beautiful views from the top and are quick and enjoyable hikes that provide sustained uphill hiking, but nothing too technical or challenging, making them a great pick for families introducing their kids to hiking, or those out for a quick morning or afternoon hike in between other activities in Placid. Marble Mountain is the longest trail (1.5 miles) that is also a bike trail, and if you hike Flume Knob or Bear Den Mountain, you won’t see any bikers on the trails (not only is biking not allowed, but these trails are too steep to make for enjoyable biking). The bike trails are also great for jogging, but if you’re looking to hike and not bike, you’re better off heading up one of the smaller mountains in the trail system. And as far as Adirondack biking goes, these trails are less muddy than most, with cleared rolling trails that tend to dry out quite fast after a storm. They’re fun bike trails with dips and turns, and many chances to loop back around and try again, given their shorter mileages. The “connector loop” is a gradual, wider trail, less rooty and hilly than the connecting side trails. The nice thing about this trail system is that the trails criss-cross with each other and the main trail from the parking lot, allowing many opportunities for tired ones to turn back. All of the trails are relatively short, with Marble Mountain being the longest segment, and also one of the more challenging (ie: steeper) trails. Most of the trails are open to bikers, with the Flume Knob and Bear Den trails being the only exceptions, which are open only to hikers. ![]() The mountain bike trails are rolling and pleasant – a great place to introduce adventurous kids to the sport. The trail system has been developed significantly since my dad cut the first trails there over 30 years ago, and I’ve loved coming back and seeing how frequently the trails are used, both by hikers and mountain bikers, as well as the occasional snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter. The current trail circumvents the waterfall, and I’ll recommend here that you choose to stay on the trail, as it is easy to get lost off-trail (for both those familiar and unfamiliar with the area :). The story of him bushwhacking in that area and getting chased down a small waterfall he named Waterspout Falls by an angry momma bear is family lore, and where the Bear Den trail gets its name. The Flume trails have a special place in my heart because, as a native “Wilmingtoner”, it was my dad who cut the first trails there – Flume Knob and Bear Den Mountain. ![]()
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