Recently my human, Jeff, went on a hike with his family to none other than CAT Mountain! Cat Mountain is part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve and overlooks Lake George, located in the upstate New York town of Bolton Landing. The Cat Mountain Trail summits at 2257 feet, where hikers are rewarded with panoramic views of Lake George.
According to him, the view was picture purr-fect. The trail had a variety of terrain, making it a hike of moderate difficulty. Personally, I enjoy the view from my window and laying around but sometimes I will venture outside to sit in a nice shady spot. I’ll never understand why humans like getting hot and sweaty, while putting way too much effort into things.
However, if you insist on going out into the wild like this, at least look at my tips!
Research the trail’s distance and experience level prior to setting out. Whether you’re an outdoor junkie or just enjoy a leisurely stroll, the Adirondacks provide residents tons of trail options from which to choose. A fun day can quickly turn dangerous if you don’t do your research and stumble onto a difficult hike without the proper gear or experience.
Be prepared! Make sure to bring a backpack with anything you may need for the day. This includes obvious things, such as plenty of food and water, but also less obvious things as well- like a first aid kit. Climate can change quickly in the mountains, so it is important to have sunscreen, bug spray, and a layer of protective clothing in case it begins to rain or get cold. We also always suggest bringing a bag with you for trash.
When you get home, check for ticks. This is a big one. Ticks are dangerous and can cause life-long health issues. When you get home, immediately take your clothes off, and check your body and clothing for ticks. It is important to do this right when you get home, so you don’t risk the chance of the tick moving to one of your fur babies. Also, the sooner you remove the tick the better.
Happy Hiking!
View of Lake George from Cat Mountain.