Mount Pisgah (Essex County New York) facts for kids
Mount Pisgah is a mountain that stands 2,090 feet (about 637 meters) tall. It's located in Essex County, New York on the northern edge of the village of Saranac Lake, New York. This mountain is privately owned. You'll find some houses on its south side, communication towers at the very top, and a popular village ski area on its north side.
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Exploring Mount Pisgah
Mount Pisgah is one of three smaller mountains that surround the village of Saranac Lake. The other two are Baker Mountain and Dewey Mountain. These mountains help make the landscape around Saranac Lake unique and beautiful.
Where is Mount Pisgah?
Mount Pisgah is found in the northern part of New York State, within Essex County, New York. It sits right next to the village of Saranac Lake, making it a local landmark. Its location offers great views of the surrounding area, including the Saranac River valley.
What's on the Mountain?
Even though Mount Pisgah is privately owned, it has several important features. On its northern slope, there's a ski area that's popular with locals and visitors, especially during winter. This area provides fun slopes for skiing and snowboarding. At the very top of the mountain, you can see tall communication towers. These towers are important for sending radio and phone signals across the region. There are also some homes built on the mountain's south side, blending into the natural environment.
The Story Behind the Name
The name "Mount Pisgah" comes from the Bible. In the Bible, Mount Pisgah was a mountain east of the Jordan River where Moses was allowed to see the "promised land." This name suggests a place with a great view. Before it was called Mount Pisgah, in the 1890s, the mountain was known as Jenkins Hill.
A Famous Visitor: Sylvia Plath
In 1952, a famous writer named Sylvia Plath visited Mount Pisgah. She was a poet, novelist, and short story writer. While skiing on the mountain, she had an accident and broke her leg. At the time, she was visiting her boyfriend, Dick Norton, who was staying at the New York State Sanatorium at Ray Brook for treatment. Sylvia Plath later wrote about this incident in her well-known novel, The Bell Jar, where she changed some details for her story.
