Leave No Trace on these 5 low elevation hikes 

Updated April 2, 2026

Spring is synonymous with sunshine, blooming flowers, and the urge to get out of the house and into nature. While it’s a perfect time to get outside and enjoy all things spring, responsibly recreating in the rainy months is something to take into consideration.

This time of year is known region-wide as “mud season” in the mountains, with snowmelt turning trails into muddy messes that quicken the erosion process brought about by our hiking boots. We love our trails in the Adirondacks, and there are a few things we can all do to Leave No Trace!

As a general rule of thumb, mud season months run from early April to the beginning of June, but can vary based on the weather and characteristics of each trail. During this time, the NYSDEC recommends that hikers try their best to stay below 3,000 feet in elevation and stick to the middle of the trail to avoid traveling in areas of fragile alpine vegetation. These little rare plants, and the trails leading to them, need all the help they can get, so here are some low elevation hikes to satisfy your urge for a wilderness experience this spring!

Lake Stevens Trail

The definition of short and sweet, the Lake Stevens Trail is a delightful spring hike. Located at the base of the Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway, the trail is less than a quarter mile and loops around a scenic little lake named for Olympic bobsledder Hubert Stevens. Along the loop you'll find a picnic area and two bridges, one of which is made of stone and is a perfect photo opportunity. Take a moment to look around you at the trees—all 34 species native to the Adirondacks are present! This hike is great for families. and its close proximity to the center of Wilmington makes it easy to pick up a snack at Adirondacks Chocolates or a picnic lunch at Little Supermarket!

The Flume Trails

A year-round multi-use trail system, the Wilmington Flume Trail System is great for mountain biking, trail running, and, in winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing! There's around 10 miles of trail in total to choose from, with connecting loops that allow you to decide how far you hike. If you want to get an elevated view, the Flume Knob is a great destination for more experienced hikers, featuring a small summit cliff with views south of the Sentinel Range. The trail can be more difficult to follow, so come equipped with a map and research the trail in advance.

As a bonus, across the road from the trail system's main parking area you'll find one of the best features of spring hiking—a waterfall! As the snow melts off nearby mountains, the West Branch Ausable River swells, creating a spectacular cascade through a rocky crag at Flume Falls. Several paths lead to viewing areas of the falls. Use caution when crossing the road and near the edges of overlooks as the ground may be slippery.

Silver Lake Mountain

Keeping off of higher summits doesn’t mean you can’t still have a mountain experience with big views. Silver Lake Mountain simulates the experience of hiking a High Peak, but in a very short distance at a much lower elevation (the Adirondack Loj sits at around the same elevation as the top of this mountain!). You’ll end up hiking 2 miles, and ascending 940 feet round-trip on this trail. Beginning gently through the forest, then climbing steeply for a short distance on a rocky portion of trail, this hike may not take very long, but will surely get the heart pumping. The couple times I’ve done this trail, I’ve seen younger kids thoroughly enjoying themselves on the upper rocky portions of the trail. It's a doable and fun challenge that leads to a unique view of Whiteface’s northern aspect. 

Silver Lake Bog

Sticking with the Silver Lake theme, this 2.2 mile hike with 300 feet of elevation gain to the Silver Lake Bog and Bluffs will get you closer to the lake than the aforementioned mountain. A beautifully built 0.5 mile long boardwalk takes you over boreal peatland habitat that’s perfect for bird watching. Look closely along the edges of the boardwalk and you could spot my favorite plant on the trail, pitcher plants! The boardwalk leads to the Bluffs Trail, and at the end is a stunning rocky vantage point hovering above Silver Lake. I’ve spent hours at this spot listening to birds, reading, and taking in the view! This is a must-visit trail for so many reasons, and one that I suggest doing more than once since you’ll be hard-pressed to spot all the flora and fauna in one trip. 

Clintonville Pine Barrens

The Clintonville Pine Barrens, a few minutes east of Ausable Forks, is one of the rarest ecosystems in the Adirondack Park. The 1.25 mile trail loops across a sand delta that was deposited 12,000 years ago by glaciers. The naturally well-drained soil lends itself well to spring hiking, and although a quick hike, it passes through habitat you’ll rarely get to see on your typical day in the park. I recommend pairing this walk with any of the other adventures on this list! Ausable Forks is a quaint town, and has everything you need, from a deli to get a sandwich for your mid-hike lunch, to a post-hike watering hole at 20 Main where you could catch some live music.

Honorable Mentions

You really thought we could pick just five trails to explore in spring?! There are so many more. Some other favorites that didn't quite make the cut include:

• Clements Pond: 3 miles round trip, this trail leads to a scenic backcountry pond with beaver activity!
• Connery Pond: Another scenic backcountry pond, but this one is only 1.5 miles round trip. Makes for a great early season paddle if you don't mind the portage.

Stay close to Whiteface in spring by booking a stay at one of the many lodging options around, and plan a trip with these hikes in mind!