Mount Marcy & The Adirondacks (New York)
Over six million acres, the Adirondacks encompass one-fifth of New York State. The “Park” is the largest National Historic Landmark in the United States, covering an area larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, and the Great Smokies National Parks combined. It contains over 2,000 miles of hiking trails, 3,000 lakes and ponds, and 1,200 miles of rivers fed by 30,000 miles of brooks and streams. It's vast, wild waterways are perfect for canoeing and kayaking. The 46 tallest mountains within the park are known as the Adirondack High Peaks. Striking a balance between public and private ownership, the area contains 102 towns and villages, as well as numerous farms and businesses, and thus there are no official entrances or admission fees.
This post only scratches the surface of what is possible in this region, highlighting (1) Mount Marcy the highest of the 46 peaks; (2) the majestic Saranac Lake; (3) island camping in Indian Lake; and (4) cross-country skiing at Lapland Lake. Feel free to skip ahead using the links above. The Mount Marcy section is a long one!
Mount Marcy
“New York State’s Highest Peak” (5343ft)
16.7 miles, 3540ft elevation gain, AllTrails
Mount Marcy is listed as ~15 miles roundtrip with a ~3160ft elevation gain on the Lake Placid website. AllTrails records the trip as a bit longer as indicated above. Either way, this hike is long! A whole day that requires advanced planning but is achievable for most hikers. We started before sunrise at 6:30am from the High Peaks Information Center located near Heart Lake and Adirondak Loj. It took about 5 hours for us to reach the summit, but we really took our time to enjoy the hike, stopping often to rest, or have a bite to eat, or take in a view. The roundtrip to the parking lot took just under 11 hours (5:10pm). Some people report doing the hike in 6-8 hours. Everyone is different.
Weather Forecasts: Mountain Forecast is an excellent website for detailed and accurate weather forecasts at various mountain elevations. Here is the page for Mount Marcy. As you can see in the first image below, the weather can be retrieved at the summit (5345ft) as well as mid-mountain (3281ft). You can expand the current date to see hourly forecasts.
The hike is not difficult so much as it is long and requires preparation. Packing ample food and water and layers for changing conditions can make all the difference for an enjoyable experience. Here are some notes on the route in addition to the AllTrails link:
Tips:
Check the Weather/Conditions: You can find a ton of information about current conditions in the comments section of the AllTrails post and at the Mountain Forecast website mentioned above. Compare the different elevations. Reward your effort by choosing a clearer day so you can enjoy the views. If you are knowingly entering snow/ice, prepare yourself with the appropriate layers and gear. When we hiked this in the month of October, I wore a single shirt at lower elevations and multiple layers and jackets at the summit (and it was still cold due to the intense winds).
Water Filtration: This hike supplies you with ample opportunities for water if you have a filtering mechanism. I recommend a Katadyn BeFree Replacement Filter ($25) and HydraPak 3L Seeker ($30) (or similar) collapsible water container. The Katadyn filters one liter/minute and will allow you to refill your CamelBaks and water bottles at many points along Marcy Brook and Phelps Brook as you ascend. The last opportunity for water is the ~5 mile mark at Indian Falls.
Headlamps: Make sure everyone has a headlamp with fresh batteries as you might set out before sunrise and/or return after sunset.
Microspikes: Conditions at the summit will vary significantly from lower elevations. We hiked in October of 2020 and the higher elevations had intermittent large ice patches. You can hike as late as May and still find snow at the top. Know before you go! Microspikes like these Kahtoola’s are helpful to carry in your pack in case you need them. If you’re looking at large amounts of snow it’s a whole different ballgame.
The terrain takes you on a tour of nature’s imagination as you wind through rocky boulders and open fields of grass, along babbling brooks and through stark changes in vegetation. The summit is the best of all. On a clear day you can see for miles.
Lodging for Mount Marcy
Lake Placid
The quaint and historic Olympic town of 1932 and 1980 is located 12 min / 6 miles north of the Mount Marcy trailhead and has restaurants and lodging of all types.
We stayed at a motel on Friday night and had a burger and beer at a local restaurant before bed. We hiked Mount Marcy on Saturday and finished the weekend exploring Lake George (90 minutes south of Lake Placid) on Sunday.
Adirondak Loj
Built in 1927, the Adirondak Loj is located a short walk from the Mount Marcy trailhead and has space for 38 guests across private rooms, bunk rooms, and a co-ed loft. Delicious home-cooked meals, with homemade breads, soups, and desserts, are served in a rustic dining room. The living room with its stone fireplace is perfect for recounting the day’s adventures.
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake is a beautiful retreat for families and people of all ages with a vibrant community and endless outdoor activities across all seasons. Check out the town’s awesome website for all the details. Walk the town. Breakfast at DJ’s Rustic Restaurant. Sit around a campfire at night with your favorite people. Get out on the water. Always a great time.
Hiking: There are at least six peaks in the nearby region including Baker (2,452 feet), St. Regis (2,874ft), Scarface (3,054ft), Ampersand (3,353ft), Haystack (2,878ft), and McKenzie (3,822ft). The upper right photo below was taken at the top of Baker Mountain (1.6 miles roundtrip, 885ft elevation gain, AllTrails) in October 2015.
Indian Lake
One of the many unique experiences in the Adirondacks is island camping. Reservations for Indian Lake can be made up to 9 months in advance. Most people will launch boats or rent pontoons to access their campsite. My good friend and I towed an inflatable raft (full of food, gear, and firewood) in an inflatable two-man kayak for 4 miles both ways. I would not have had it any other way.
Lapland Lake
Hidden amid the Adirondacks in the winter months is a special little place that seems to have emerged from a children’s snowglobe. Founded in 1978, Lapland Lake features unparalleled woodland skiing on a superb trail system designed by Olavi Hirvonen, former U.S. Olympic skier (1960). Whether you visit for the day or stay the weekend in their cabins, cross-country ski or snowshoe, entering Lapland Lake is a passage into a magical world.
Sheltered by majestic pine and hardwood forests, 38 of Lapland Lake’s 50 kilometers of trails are trackset with skating lanes. The vast majority of the trails are one-way, uncommon in the industry, providing skiers and snowshoers with a remarkably peaceful woodland experience. Lake Trail is illuminated nightly for the use of overnight guests (Adirondack Lodging options). 12 kilometers of trail are ungroomed, marked and mapped snowshoe trails which provide a solitary Adirondack wilderness experience. Rentals are available on site and best made online in advance.
