Six mountains. Four patches.
On May 25, 2013, the Village of Saranac of Saranac Lake created the popular Saranac Lake 6er Hiking Challenge. Since then, hikers have been challenged to climb six area mountains; when they finish, they receive a patch and their moment of fame as they ring the 6er Bell in Berkeley Green. The program has fostered a great introduction to hiking in the Adirondacks.
Hikers taking on the 6er have the choice of the standard challenge in both Summer/Fall/Spring and Winter, plus the Ultra* option in those seasons. The Ultra is a hard-core endurance test, in which all six mountains must be completed within a documented 24-hour period.
Helpful info
Looking to take on the 6er but not quite sure which mountain to begin with? No worries! We recommend taking on the mountains in the following order, from least difficult to most difficult.
- Baker Mountain
- St. Regis Mountain
- Scarface Mountain*
- Ampersand Mountain
- Haystack Mountain
- McKenzie Mountain
Current notices about the 6er
- *As of summer 2024, the trail on Scarface Mountain is closed for repairs. Hikers may hike all of the other mountains, but cannot complete the challenge until the trail reopens. This also means that the Ultra challenge cannot be completed, as well.
- As of 2022, starting at the Baker Mountain trailhead will no longer count for the 6er program. To earn a 6er title, one must start and end their Baker Mountain summit (on foot) from the 6er bell, located in Berkeley Green Park.
Take the challenge, register here.
