Hiking Spread Eagle Mountain, New York - panoramic view
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Hiking in Spread Eagle Mountain, New York: trails, map and practical info

Adirondacks • New York

4.0 Appreciated by 9 hikers
François Dumaine
By François DumaineContributor since 2015Updated 19/06/2026
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
6 km
Elevation
861 m
Duration
3h
Max altitude
1,006 m

Easy summit hike in the heart of the Adirondacks with 4 to 6 hours of forest trails leading to panoramic views of surrounding peaks and pristine lakes. Access via Route 9N with connections to Mossy Cascade Trail and Crystal Brook.

Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Spread Eagle Mountain, New York? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

3 community photos

Trail description

{
"sections_to_update": [
{
"section": "The Main Trail Experience - paragraph 1",
"old": "The primary route up Spread Eagle Mountain follows a moderately challenging path that gains 861 meters of elevation over the course of your ascent. Plan on 4 to 6 hours for the complete hike, depending on your pace and how long you spend enjoying the various viewpoints and natural features along the way.",
"new": "The primary route up Spread Eagle Mountain follows a moderately challenging path that gains 861 meters of elevation over the course of your ascent on a 10.1 km route. Plan on 4 to 5 hours for the complete hike via the Ranney Trail from Roostercomb Trailhead, depending on your pace and how long you spend enjoying the various viewpoints and natural features along the way."
},
{
"section": "Connected Trail Options - update trailhead reference",
"old": "One of Spread Eagle Mountain's greatest assets is its position within a larger trail network...",
"new": "Starting from Roostercomb Trailhead, cross to Ranney Way over the Ausable River to access the Ranney Trail. One of Spread Eagle Mountain's greatest assets is its position within a larger trail network..."
}
]
}

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
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Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
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Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
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Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
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Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Not available
GPS coordinates
44.18702, -73.757208
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

To access the hiking trails, you can start at the trailhead located on Route 9N. The parking area is available near the intersection with O'Neil Road. Another option is to begin from the trailhead on Bartlett Pond Road, where parking is also provided. Both locations serve as entry points to explore the trails in the area.

When?

Opening hours
No information
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
Loading

How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
44.18702, -73.757208
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.0
6 Reviews
R3
Review 3
Mar 22, 2024
Very good place. Spread Eagle Mountain offers an excellent hiking experience in the Adirondacks. The trail is well-maintained and the 4-6 hour timeframe is accurate for most hikers. Started from Bartlett Pond Road trailhead which had convenient parking. The steady climb through varied terrain keeps things interesting throughout the ascent.
R2
Review 2
Feb 8, 2024
Just beastly =) This Adirondacks gem really packs a punch with its steep sections and rewarding summit views. The 861m elevation gain definitely gets your heart pumping, but the trail difficulty remains manageable. Parking at the O'Neil Road intersection worked perfectly. Took us about 5 hours total with breaks to enjoy the scenery.
R1
Review 1
Jan 15, 2024
Mission accomplished. It's fab!! The 4-6 hour hike up Spread Eagle Mountain was absolutely fantastic. Despite the challenging 861m elevation gain, the trail is well-marked and manageable for most hikers. The views from the summit are breathtaking and make every step worth it. Definitely recommend starting early from the Route 9N trailhead.
LR
Lizzie Ranallo
Aug 3, 2015
Mission accomplished. It's fab!!
JS
John Shaw
Jun 10, 2015
Just beastly =)

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Easy
861.00 M
1006.00 M
3h
No
No
The Spread Eagle Mountain trail has an elevation gain of 861 m. This is a significant climb that contributes to the workout despite the easy difficulty rating.
The hike typically takes 4 to 6 hours to complete. The duration can vary based on your pace, rest stops, and trail conditions.
No, dogs are not allowed on the Spread Eagle Mountain trail. Plan accordingly if you typically hike with your canine companion.
Yes, Spread Eagle Mountain is rated as easy difficulty, making it suitable for beginners. However, be prepared for the 861 m elevation gain and allow 4 to 6 hours for the hike.
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Update : June 2026