STREET and NYE
via Adirondack LoJ
Street and Nye Mountains provide hikers a mildly challenging experience just west of Heart Lake, ideal for those newer to the Adirondack 46er journey. While the peaks offer limited summit views, nearby side trails reveal scenic vistas of the surrounding ranges. The primary challenge is crossing Indian Pass Brook, which can vary significantly based on recent weather.
What to know
Start:
Adirondack Loj at
Heart Lake
Elevation Gain:
2,600 feet
Summit Elevations:
Street Mountain 4,166 feet
Nye Mountain 3,895 feet
Trail Length:
9.6 miles
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Difficulty:
3 out of 7 Mild
Average Hiking Time:
6-7 hours
Dog Friendliness:
Easier hike for dogs. Must be on leash
Trail Surface:
Primarily dirt and mud with scattered rocky sections.
Plenty of roots too.
Water Availability:
Limited; available at streams including Indian Pass Brook
Maximum Grade:
500 feet/0.4 miles (final climb to intersection)
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Sunrise or Sunset:
Not recommended; best as a day hike
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Views:
Limited summit views; side trails offer viewpoints
Special Considerations:
The main obstacle is the Indian Pass Brook crossing, which can be simple or impassable depending on recent rainfall. Always verify current conditions at the High Peaks Information Center or through local forums before beginning your hike. Apart from the brook, expect moderate inclines with manageable trail conditions.
Intro
If you asked Adirondack 46ers who hiked during the 1950s about Street and Nye, many would describe it as their toughest challenge. The devastating "Big Blow" storm of 1950 littered the mountains with massive amounts of blowdown, making these peaks nearly impossible to hike for decades. Thanks to diligent trail restoration and land management efforts, today's hike is considerably easier and more enjoyable. Nye, while not officially above the 4,000-foot requirement, remains traditionally included among the Adirondack 46 high peaks.
The Hike
Your journey to Street and Nye Mountains begins at the Adirondack Loj toll booth, right at the entrance. Locate the trailhead next to the booth, marked by a clear sign indicating trails toward Mount Jo and Indian Pass. Begin hiking on this gravel path, which shortly approaches Heart Lake, taking a right-hand turn after just a few minutes. As you walk along the lake's shore, you’ll pass the Adirondack Mountain Club’s Flora and Fauna exhibit on your left and the Mount Jo trailhead to your right. Continue straight, following the trail around the lake's perimeter for approximately a quarter mile until you reach the official trail register. Sign in here for safety and to ensure accurate tracking of trail usage.
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Beyond the register, continue briefly along the main trail. Within roughly five minutes, you'll encounter a clearly marked junction with new signage directing you toward Street and Nye Mountains. Remain alert at this junction, as it can be easy to miss. Turning right here, hike for one mile along relatively flat and easy terrain until you approach Indian Pass Brook.
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As you near the brook, you’ll notice a false trail dipping downward to your left. Although this path leads to an alternate crossing point, do not cross here immediately. Instead, continue straight along the trail for another tenth of a mile to reach the official crossing point. Depending on recent rainfall and water levels, this main crossing can range from a simple rock-hop to completely impassable. Carefully evaluate the brook here. If conditions are unsafe, you can backtrack to the previously noted alternate crossing point downstream. Exercise caution—how you cross Indian Pass Brook could make or break your hike.
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Once you've successfully crossed the brook, continue along the trail through a small clearing before taking a sharp left turn. The trail remains fairly easy and level for about half a mile. Roughly 0.3 miles beyond the brook, you'll encounter a marshy area crossed by a large, fallen tree. Use this log as your bridge to stay dry. After another couple tenths of a mile (approximately half a mile from the river), the trail begins to steadily ascend the mountain.
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You’ll cross a series of small streams as the incline increases. Pay close attention to rock cairns placed along the path, as they mark the correct route and help you avoid misleading herd paths. If you happen to stray from the trail, carefully backtrack until you're back on course. The trail gradually steepens, following what seems like a shallow drainage or gully upward through the forest.
About 3.3 miles into your hike, you'll reach the first significant viewpoint, marked by an obvious rocky ledge. Step out carefully onto this rock for an excellent view of the MacIntyre Range, showcasing both Algonquin and Wright Peaks prominently. From this viewpoint, you still have approximately 300 vertical feet of elevation gain remaining before reaching the main intersection between Street and Nye.
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Continuing upward, the terrain becomes noticeably more rugged and steep. Soon, the trail eases slightly as you enter a distinct area of forest characterized by downed trees and numerous stripped pine trunks—a unique reminder of the mountain’s weathered past. Shortly after this section, at roughly 3.9 miles from your starting point, you’ll arrive at the intersection dividing Street Mountain (to your left) and Nye Mountain (to your right). The trail abruptly ends at this fork, clearly indicating two separate paths. It's generally recommended to summit Street first.
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Turn left toward Street Mountain, proceeding along a mildly rugged path that dips slightly before climbing again. You'll maneuver through scattered blowdown, making the ascent interesting but manageable. After about 0.6 miles, you’ll reach the summit sign marking Street Mountain’s peak. Although the immediate summit lacks views, multiple herd paths branch sharply to your right just after the summit sign, offering viewpoints. One path leads you to an impressive 180-degree panorama highlighting the Santanoni Range, Lost Pond, and the expansive MacIntyre Range. After soaking in these views, return to the intersection between the two peaks.
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Next, take the opposite trail toward Nye Mountain. Compared to Street, this hike is notably shorter and less demanding. From the intersection, it will likely take you just around ten minutes to reach Nye’s summit, a mere quarter mile away. Despite its modest incline from the intersection (most elevation gain happens closer to Street’s trail), the trail briefly dips down before rising again sharply. You’ll traverse dense spruce forest, eventually arriving at the clearly marked, six-foot-tall Nye Mountain summit sign. While Nye’s true summit is forested and viewless, you can easily backtrack about 30 seconds along the trail to a visible spur on your right. This side path provides a pleasant lookout of the surrounding area.
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After reaching Nye’s summit, retrace your route back down the mountain, carefully descending through rocky sections and re-crossing Indian Pass Brook. Follow the well-marked trail back around Heart Lake to conclude your hike at the Adirondack Loj.
Trail Summary
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0.0 mi: Start at Adirondack Loj toll booth, walk around Heart Lake.
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0.3 mi: Reach Indian Pass Brook registry.
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0.5 mi: Turn right onto marked Street and Nye trail.
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1.6 mi: Cross Indian Pass Brook.
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2.2 mi: Small stream crossing marks start of incline.
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3.6 mi: Viewpoint of MacIntyre Range.
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3.9 mi: Intersection for Street/Nye; left to Street.
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4.5 mi: Street summit; return to intersection.
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5.1 mi: Intersection; continue straight for Nye.
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5.35 mi: Nye summit; return to intersection.
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9.6 mi: Back at Adirondack Loj.
