The length of the trail combined with the steep terrain makes it a challenging all day hike. Clay Meadows is 4.5 miles from the turn and the trailhead is on the east side of the road next to a rock quarry filled with water. We had a little conversation. Insects and mud were present, but modest. 1) A myth exists that a cucumber smell comes from rattlesnakes 2) The Tongue Mountain Range is known for harboring rattlesnakes 3) The only place I have ever smelled random cucumber is the Tongue Mountain Range. The 10.5 mile Tongue Mountain Range Trail is a popular hiking destination in the Lake George Wild Forest of the southeastern Adirondacks. The trail markers are very easy to follow, however they are your only markers. From here you will head down to Deer Leap Junction and head back to the car. The scales are weakly keeled, and there are 25-27 dorsal scale rows at midbody. link above. and 11 minutes. My GPS registered 12.8 miles (All Trails indicates 14.8), but we did not do the point. I'm not sure of the reason, but it certainly seems like the area around Lake George and the Southern end of Lake Champlain is rattlesnake country. Measuring from 3 to 4.5 feet or more in length, the timber rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in New York. The “flats” aren’t flat, but they aren’t difficult either; more of an expectation looking at the elevation map. Numerous birds inhabit or visit the area including various waterfowl and Peregrine Falcons . A great loop hike that brings you along the shore of Lake George then over 3 small peaks on the Tongue Mountain Range. We hiked clockwise to fifth peak last fall and counterclockwise to first peak with a bushwhack down to the NWbay trail. Tip: There is a specific species of rattlesnack that only lives in the Tongue Range so be aware of this, not necessarily scared of this as they certainly are more afraid of you than you are of them. Didn’t see any snakes. I would recommend going clockwise and doing the mountains first- it will make the second half of the hike more enjoyable. If you park where it says to, next to the pond type area, from there you walk to your right to the forest preserve path. Timber rattlers range as far south as Florida and as far west as Texas. Females give birth to 4 to 21 young in late summer; the young are marked similarly to adults, but colors are brighter. Large specimens can reportedly weigh as much as 4.5 kg (9.9 lb). This is a long loop but very gratifying. We are two avid hikers in our 50’s. But, you could also park at the northwest pond parking area, which is a little before the tongue mountain parking, and has a sign for! I jogged for a couple of minutes every 10 min to get out of there in a reasonable time. In the Adirondacks, the snakes also can be found on Tongue Mountain and other spots around Lake George. We hiked this trail on 9/6/20 in a clockwise direction, and the trail was in great condition. That being said, the peaks are GORGEOUS! Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. It was a lot of ups and downs today. Highlight is French Point Mt views up and down N and S of the lake. Tongue Range Notes: All six of the following peaks are a part of the Tongue Mountain range on the west shore of Lake George. Our team serves as reptile wholesale suppliers for a large number of pet stores, zoos, and even private collectors. It was a sunny, hot day after a cool evening, so I was watching out and actually hoping to see a rattlesnake. Not a bad idea to visit both, but be wary of rattlesnakes if leaving the trail during the hot months of summer. Hiked the trail on 9/6 and encountered one rattle snake on the trail. MOS Reptiles. Great views- but with the deep, loose leaves and loose gravel,I thought the steep descents were really dangerous and more than once I wished I’d brought a hiking partner. Deer Leap (3.4 miles RT, easy). 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