• Skip to main content

The only independent, nonprofit news organization solely dedicated to reporting on the Adirondack Park.

Donate

Through its news reporting and analysis, the nonprofit Adirondack Explorer furthers the wise stewardship, public enjoyment for all, community vitality, and lasting protection of the Adirondack park.

  • Latest News
  • Environment
  • Communities
  • Recreation
  • About the Adirondacks
  • About Adirondack Explorer
  • How can we help you?
  • Shop Adirondack Merchandise
  • Advertise with Adirondack Explorer

Magazine

Subscribe to our print magazine

Subscribe

Donations

Support our journalism

Donate

Newsletter

Sign up for our emails

Sign Up

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy

Lisa Ballard

Contributor Lisa Ballard is the author of "Hiking the Adirondacks" and "Best Easy Day Hikes Adirondacks." A native of Saranac Lake, she contributes to numerous magazines and websites from her base camps on Chateaugay Lake and Red Lodge, Montana.

All Stories by Lisa Ballard

Building a biathlon tradition

By Lisa Ballard

Paul Smith's College creates trails, program to attract athletes

Return to Loon Lake Mountain

By Lisa Ballard

Loon Lake Mountain (3,279 feet) in the Debar Wild Forest doesn’t exactly roll off most hikers’ tongues as a must-do climb. I hope it never does. It’s one of my little secrets.

A view of Dial Mountain from Nippletop. Photo by Lisa Ballard

Drawn to Nippletop and Dial

By Lisa Ballard

Nippletop (4,620 feet), the 13th-highest peak in the Adirondack Park, especially intrigued me. A prominent landmark as one drives up the Northway from the south, this silent sentinel always welcomed me back to the High Peaks from trips to Albany and beyond.

  • Page 1
  • Page 2

Explore all topics

Adirondackers
Biking
Clean energy
Climate
Communities
Economy
Environment
Explorer news
Farms and food
Fishing
Government
High Peaks use
Hiking
History & Culture
Housing
Invasive Species
Land use
Outdoor Recreation
Paddling
Search and rescue
Skiing
Snow Sports
Water quality
Wildlife

Explore the Adirondack Region

Old Forge

Gore Mountain

High Peaks

Lake Champlain

Lake George

Hamilton County

Saranac Lake

Keene

Schroon Lake

Tupper Lake

Whiteface Mountain

St. Lawrence County

Through its news reporting and analysis, the nonprofit Adirondack Explorer furthers the wise stewardship, public enjoyment for all, community vitality, and lasting protection of the Adirondack Park.

Stay Connected
  • About the Explorer
  • Meet the team
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Outdoor recreation
  • Environment
  • Communities
  • Start a subscription
  • Make a donation
  • Shop Adirondack merchandise
  • Sign up for newsletters
  • Commenting policy
  • Corrections policy
  • Privacy policy
  • Refund and cancellation policies

30 Academy St., P.O. Box 1355, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 • Phone: (518) 891-9352

Copyright © 2025 • Adirondack Explorer • All Rights Reserved.