Potash Mountain Trail

The name “Potash” likely refers to a vital potassium compound that was America’s first industrial chemical. Used extensively in agriculture as a fertilizer, as well as in the production of soap, glass, textiles, and ceramics, potash was a crucial commodity for settlers in the region. Early settlers made use of the abundant trees by clearing land for farms, burning logs, and collecting the ashes to create potash. The process involved leaching the lye from ashes with water and boiling it down to create “black salts,” which settlers could sell or use for various purposes. This practice was nearly universal among early farmers and served as an important source of income as they developed the land.

Potash Mountain and its name stand as a testament to this early industry, and today, it is a community peak that connects visitors to the rich history of the Lake Luzerne area. You can learn more about the area’s heritage through exhibits at the Frances G. Kinnear Museum of Local History, home to the Hadley-Lake Luzerne Historical Society, which showcases artifacts like old postcards of the mountain labeled as “Potash Kettle Mountain.”

For further historical context, see Dan Forbush’s work, “Potash Mountain: Lake Luzerne’s Community Peak,” which provides detailed insight into the area’s transformation from early settlements to the bustling town it is today.