Good Luck Mountain in New York offers a steep cliff hike with gorgeous payoff view

I’m always amazed when we leave our lakefront camp in the south Adirondack Mountains of New York, travel just a little ways, and find yet another amazing outdoor adventure.

That happened today when we headed out of Mayfield, through Gloversville, and up past Caroga Lake to seek out about a 4-mile loop trail accessible right off of Highway 10 that leads slowly uphill, past Good Luck Lake, and then dramatically uphill to the top of Good Luck Mountain.

Once atop the steep cliffs, we enjoyed a satisfying lunch overlooking the lake and the Ferris Lake Forest for miles around. One often thinks of New York as a heavily populated place, but there’s not a single structure anywhere from this beautiful vantage.

The conditions were a little muddy, which actually made it perfect to take the kids along, who remained entertained throughout by the constant puzzle solving to get from rock to rock without falling into the muck.

This hike is highly recommended as a great way to spend about four hours of a day. Now that I’ve taken a short post-hike snooze, I’m ready to wash off with a swim in our lake!