Trail Description: This small mountain south of Paul Smiths offers views across part of the St. Regis Canoe area to the High Peaks and west to Tupper Lake. The mountain used to belong to the Bergen County Boy Scouts but was added to the Forest Preserve in 1990, and this route uses a Boy Scout right of way to access the new public trail. The trail passes through a hardwood forest and is gently rolling for almost half a mile, then ascends steeply for the remaining half mile. The trail is abundantly marked with red discs. Enjoy the view at the northern summit, but follow the red markers for several hundred yards to the southern summit for even better views. This trail has wet spots that can generally be traversed on rock crossings . These wet spots can provide fodder for a discussion of trail responsibility, including the notion that some trails should not be hiked in spring when they are soft and muddy since hiking at the time causes bigger muddy spots, deeper ruts and kills young plants that help prevent erosion. Just under 3.5 miles round trip.

Directions: Take the Floodwood Rd. found on the west side of Rt. 30 roughly halfway between Paul Smiths and Tupper Lake. Follow this mostly-dirt road for 6.4 miles until a sign for Floodwood Scout Reservation appears on the left. Turn left onto the reservation; within .3 mile there is a well-marked public parking area. From the parking lot, continue to follow the reservation road past a gate to the beginning of the public trail, about .7 mile.

Trail Description: Panther Mountain is a good first hike for children, since the trail begins ascending immediately and reaches a summit with gorgeous views in .8 mile. The open feeling of the hemlock forest with its lacy canopy is appealing to youngsters, as well. This is a 1.6 mile round-trip.

Directions: The trailhead is located on Rt. 3, between Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, roughly 1.5 miles east of the intersection of Rts. 3 and 30. The parking area (and access to Panther Pond) is found on the south side of the road, and the trail begins across the road, marked by the yellow on brown sign. Take care crossing the busy highway.

Trail Description: Spectacular views are what await you at the rocky ledge on this summit. You will find this trail, refreshingly removed from the crowds that ascend the high peaks. There is an abandoned fire tower at the summit, and the rocky ledge provides excellent views.

Directions: The trip to the trail head is almost as interesting as the hike up the mountain. Take Keese's Mill Rd. off of Rt. 30, just north of Paul Smith's College in Franklin County, This paved road melds imperceptibly into Blue Mountain Rd. From Rt. 30 to the Azure Mountain trail head is 17.5 miles. The paving peters out, and most of the driving is on dirt road. The parking area for the trail is found across from a corrugated metal building.