In 2020, the popular 0.8-mile trail to the top of 2,343-foot Cobble Hill in Lake Placid was at risk of being lost. Northwood School, which hosts the trail on its private land, began a process of closing its campus, where the trailhead was located, for safety reasons. What’s more, wear and tear from an estimated 10,000 visitors per year was taking its toll with visible erosion and herd paths around steep and muddy sections.

Thankfully, Northwood joined with community stakeholders including the Town of North Elba, the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, Paul Smith’s College, the Lake Placid 9er hiking challenge, the Barkeater Trails Alliance, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Adirondack Land Trust and private landowners to develop a plan to save access and improve the trail. The Adirondack Land Trust, which works with the school and other private landowners to protect forests on Cobble Hill, served as convener and expediter. Over the summers of 2023 and 2024, professional trail builders established a new trailhead, built a boardwalk, bridges, and stone staircases, and made other improvements to create a safer, more enjoyable, and more sustainable trail.

Now that the trail is living up to its reputation as beginner- and family-friendly, as well as a local favorite, a survey is helping us learn about hikers who are using it.

Survey data was collected between July 17 and September 6, 2024, by Adirondack Land Trust and DEC staff at the Cobble Hill trailhead. The survey was also an opportunity to hear directly from hikers about their experience on the trail. Comments included: “I love the variety on this trail—boulders, roots, granite steps, views and trees!” and “Great trail improvements. Much safer than before.”

Funding through North Elba LEAF, New York State Conservation Partnership Program—made possible by the Environmental Protection Fund—and the Armstrong Foundation, along with other donations, allowed community partners to upgrade the trail and save access to Cobble Hill in Lake Placid.