Ampersand Mountain near Tupper Lake has 360 views of the Adirondack High Peaks but is a good example of erosion

Ampersand Mountain

from Tupper Lake, crossroads of the Adirondacks

Ampersand Mountain was originally covered with a heavy growth of trees. Verplanck Colvin, a surveyor, had the trees cut on the mountain summit so he could use it as one of his triangulation points. The summit today is bare, a classic illustration of what happens when trees on a mountain top are cut. Erosion sets in and not a tree, tree stump or even a plant is left on the summit. All the soil has washed away and nothing but bare rock is left.

The trail begins on the south side of Route 3, about 14 miles east of Tupper Lake. Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) signs mark the beginning of the trail which leads gradually through the hardwood growth for about a mile and then climbs sharply. The ascent from there to the top is abrupt, about 1800' of elevation in 2.7 miles.