1 Big Burnt:
Big
Burnt is the largest state-owned island, at 30 acres. Blueberries grow in abundance over the island.
Big Burnt may have received its name from the practice employed by Native
Americans who would ignite forest fires to clear land for agriculture.
Blueberries grow very well on burned sites.
2 Uncas:
James
Fenimore Cooper’s book, The Last of the Mohicans, has left a lasting
impression on Lake George. Uncas
Island bares the name of Chief Uncas, a hero from the novel. The state-owned island is six acres and contains fourteen
campsites.
3 Turtle:
Turtle
Island is a state-owned island with 33 campsites. It is very close to the western shore of the Point of Tongue
Mountain, also known as Montcalm Point. The
islands close proximity to land accounts for a variety of wildlife visitors;
such as, raccoons, deer, even the occasional black bear or timber rattlesnake.
Don’t worry! There have
been no reported deaths occurring from rattlesnakes in this region.
4 Mohican:
Mohican
is a state-owned island just east of Turtle Island. Another island deriving its name from James Fenimore
Cooper’s novel. Nine campsites
dot this wooded island.
5 Glen:
In
1885, 154 islands were included into the Lake George Forest Preserve, including
Glen Island. In 1921, Glen Island
was chosen to be the headquarters for the Department of Environmental
Conservation. Camping and day-use
permits are still issued here.
6 Gravelly:
Located behind Glen Island in the
view from Up Yonda.
7 Juanita:
Located behind Mohican Island in the
view from Up Yonda.
8 Bouquet:
Located directly behind and to the
right of Turtle Island in the view from Up Yonda.
9 Ship:
In
1992, a storm uprooted a massive 80-foot white pine tree that grew on Ship
Island. The tree resembled the mast
of a ship, helping to give the island its name.
Since then, wind, ice, and wave erosion have taken their toll on this
small state-owned island.
10 Ranger:
Ranger
Island is named after Judge Fredrick E. Ranger and his family whom owned the
island in the late 1800’s. Ranger
Island is now state-owned with two campsites.
11 Oahu:
Oahu
Island is a privately owned island at the mouth of the Narrows.
It is one of 30 islands the state sold before the 1876 law that forbid
the state from selling any Lake George island.
Oahu is one of many names that the island has had over the years.
Former names were Flore, Flea, Floa and Bellinger Island.
12 Fourteen Mile:
This
privately owned island is actually 11 miles from Lake George Village.
Its name origin is unknown and speculative.
Fourteen Mile Island is very close to the eastern shore of the lake below
Shelving Rock. Some refer to the
narrow stretch of water between the island and the shore as Lover’s Lane.
13 Hen and Chicks:
Hen
and Chicks Island is the only island in Lake George to ever be struck by a
plane. Thankfully, nobody was hurt.
No one is quite sure where the name is derived from.
Maybe chickens were raised there or because there is one large island and
many smaller islands around it, much like a hen with her chicks.
It is part of the Lake George Forest Preserve.
Erebus Mountain:
According
to Greek Mythology, Erebus was a place of darkness on the way to Hades.
Yikes! Nestled between Black
Mountain and Sleeping Beauty it offers little views from its mostly wooded peak.
Sleeping Beauty:
A
wonderful 1.7 mile hike to the peak. The
view form its top is Gorgeous in the Autumn as it is tucked back from the lake
looking out across Shelving Rock to the west.
Shelving Rock:
A
domed rise of land with exposed rocks and cliffs. From the top one looks directly down at Fourteen Mile Island
and North to the mouth of the Narrows.
