While the summit is on state land, the state land parcel is land locked. Private land surrounds the mountain on all sides. I've had the good fortune to have permission to climb this mountain previously and it was greatly appreciated.
The new news and that one of the private land owners has donated their 107 acres at the base of Potash Mountain to form the basis of a nature preserve. Alice Harris's generous gift will become the Harris Nature Preserve. While this parcel didn't touch the existing state land, a 2nd property owner , Richard and Joanne Sehlmeyer, donated a 6.4 acre portion of their land as well to make that connection.
The preserve will be predominantly on the southeast flank of Potash. A trail will be developed by Wilderness Property Management, Inc. that will connect with the state land parcel.
On Saturday I went back to Potash to check out this parcel and do a bushwhack hike to the summit following a route that will most likely be close to the route chosen.
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| The start of the parking area, with Potash Mountain in the background. |
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| The summit |
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| I saw three different firerings near the summit. |
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| The view from the south face of Potash Mountain. |
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| Looking down from the south face. |
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| Looking at Potash from the road from the SW |
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| A zoom view of the south face. |
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| This is the profile view that catches the hikers eye. |
There is a lot to be excited about here. The new trail will provide a short relatively steep hike to a peak with impressive views. While I like bushwhacking, I know I'm the minority. Familes and trail hikers will love this peak once the trail is complete. DEC and the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) have been working to promote other hikes outside of the High Peaks in order to alleviate overuse of those peaks. Potash Mountain will provide one such alternative.
Hike Stats:
Hike Distance: 2 to 2.5 miles
Hike Time: 2 hours
Total Vertical Gain: ~ 900'
New parking lot open to public and marked trail head. 43.369195, -73.827024
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