This short hike is designed mainly as a hike to a sand beach on Middle Saranac Lake for your swimming pleasure. With a well graded trail it can easily be done in water shoes or flip flops if need be.

Primary trailhead: From the intersection of Route 3 and Route 86 in Saranac Lake follow Route 3 toward Tupper Lake. Continue for 8 miles to the Ampersand Mountain parking area on the right.

From the Ampersand Mountain parking area, drop down over the embankment on the backside of the parking lot and start the hike. This also accesses the state campground on the Saranacs where a fee and reservations are required for camping. The trail crosses a small wet area before beginning a flat hike through and attractive forest. In season there are plenty of wildflowers and mushrooms for appeasing the eye as you hike through the area. The trail ends at an old campsite near a sand beach. The sand beach continues around a large portion of the bay. The water remains very shallow for over 100 feet out from shore making this a prime area for swimming.