Hiking Trails in the Adirondacks:
Jenkins Mountain Trail

This page is no longer being updated.  For an updated and expanded version of this material, see: Adirondack Nature Trails: Jenkins Mountain Trail

 

 

The Jenkins Mountain Trail is a 4.5-mile trail to the summit of Jenkins Mountain (9 miles round trip).  The trail begins when it intersects with the Barnum Brook Trail near the boardwalk area, at a well-marked intersection.  Immediately to your left is a short detour to an overlook, looking south over Heron Marsh.  A wide variety of birds which thrive on and near Heron Marsh may be observed here, including American Bittern, Swamp Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbird.

The trail continues west through mixed forest, paralleling the Jenkins Mountain Road.  Hobblebush, Goldthread, Wild Sarsaparilla, Bunchberry, Dewdrop, Starflower, Clintonia, and Purple Trillium thrive along the trail.  As the trail veers away from the marsh, the habitat changes to primarily hardwood forest.  The trail intersects with the Heron Marsh Trail by a privy, where you turn right, following the same corridor as the Heron Marsh Trail. 

The Jenkins Mountain Trail then intersects with the Logger’s Loop Trail in a small clearing  near the FERDA plots.  You can either take a left, following Logger’s Loop, or go straight, which takes you on a small loop, rejoining Logger’s Loop at the intersection with the Fox Run Trail. 

This eastern portion of the trail is a pleasant shady woods road; the walking is relatively easy with a few moderate hills.  The western portion of the trail, after the intersection with the Fox Run Trail, is a backcountry hiking trail up relatively steep ascents to the summit of Jenkins Mountain (2,513 feet).  Hiking boots are recommended.

In winter, the Jenkins Mountain Trail becomes a snowshoe trail. Follow the dark blue trail signs.