Conquering the Tupper Lake Triad

New York

May - June 2025

Our Tupper Lake Triad Adventure

Although we needed two days instead of one, we started too late on the day of the challenge; however, we successfully completed the Tupper Lake Triad, a family-oriented climbing challenge. The three peaks that make up the Triad are Mount Arab, Goodman Mountain, and Coney Mountain.

Mount Arab, The Start of Our Triad

We began our challenge at Mount Arab, located just west of Tupper Lake in the Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest. This was a short 2-mile round-trip hike, but with a steep 14.5% grade. Each year, more than 10,000 people make the 750-foot climb to the historic fire tower and observer’s cabin.

Although the fire tower was open, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding lakes and the distant Adirondack High Peaks, the steel structure felt too exposed and slippery for me to climb. I stayed at the observer’s cabin. When my husband returned, he said I hadn’t missed much, as the rainy conditions had limited the view.

A Rewarding View on Coney Mountain

About 30 minutes after finishing Mount Arab, we began our second climb at Coney Mountain, also located in the Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest. This hike was again a 2-mile round trip but less steep, averaging a 9.8% grade and about 550 feet of elevation gain. We climbed through a hardwood forest, and at the summit’s bare rocks, the view opened up. Without the rain, we were rewarded with a spectacular, 360-degree view of the expansive Adirondack Mountain Range.

When we returned to the car, it was already around 5 p.m. Since the final climb on Goodman Mountain would take at least another two hours, we decided to call it a day and save the last peak for another time.

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The Final Climb and an Unforgettable Sighting

Two days later, we continued the challenge with Goodman Mountain. This 3.2-mile round-trip hike starts on an old main road before climbing the mountain, with only the last half-mile featuring a short, steep section. We already knew that, with school buses parked nearby, we would encounter many kids on the trail, and we did. They were all excited because they had spotted a young moose bull earlier and eagerly told and warned us about it.

Closer to the summit, we slowed at each corner, hoping to avoid an eye-to-eye encounter with the bull. Although the animal wasn’t on the trail, once we reached the summit, we saw the bull basking in the sun and taking in the view. Although the moose seemed to be minding its own business, we later read that the Goodman Mountain trail had been temporarily closed due to this potentially dangerous animal, a few days after we had visited. We had truly been in time to see the moose, which was a unique and unforgettable experience, and to complete the Tupper Lake Triad.