That’s the peak of New York’s highest peak, Mount Marcy, the very mountain my husband Andy and I’d be summiting on this heat day within the beautiful Adirondack Area.
Whereas this may increasingly pale compared to different peaks around the globe, on the subject of mountaineering in New York it’s fairly spectacular.
Plus, this reasonably difficult trek will go away you feeling rewarded, albeit barely sore.
And together with stunning landscapes that change as you trek, the 360-degree views of the Adirondack’s well-known excessive peaks from the summit are completely worthy of the customarily over-used time period “breathtaking.”
Enjoyable truth:
Adirondack State Park is house to 46 mountains — with 43 of them stretching over 4,000 toes tall — and is the biggest protected space within the contiguous United States. If you’re right here, you’re actually in an out of doors journey paradise.
There are numerous issues to do when visiting Lake Placid and the Adirondacks of New York, and I extremely suggest making climbing Mount Marcy considered one of them.
On that word, let’s dive into this final Mt Marcy mountaineering information and study precisely easy methods to summit the best peak in New York, in addition to what the expertise is actually like.
What Is Your Climbing Persona (Free Quiz!)
Earlier than we dive into this information to mountaineering Mount Marcy, I wish to invite you to take my free mountaineering persona quiz.
This brief and enjoyable quiz will provide help to uncover what kind of hiker you might be, with outcomes sharing prompt hikes to match.
How To Hike Mount Marcy FAQ
Earlier than I let you know about our expertise mountaineering Mount Marcy, listed below are some solutions to regularly requested questions on this epic expertise within the Adirondacks of Upstate New York:
Q: Are you able to hike Mt Marcy in in the future?
Sure! It takes most individuals about seven-to-eight hours to hike Mount Marcy. It took my husband and me about 10 hours as we stopped quite a bit to take pictures, eat, and benefit from the views.
Q: How lengthy of a hike is Mount Marcy?
Mount Marcy is the best peak within the Adirondacks and New York State, reaching 5,344 toes. The hike is 14.8 miles round-trip.
Q: Are you able to camp on Mount Marcy?
A preferred tenting choice on the Mount Marcy path is close to Marcy Dam, which gives views of the excessive peaks and is barely 2.3 miles from the Mount Marcy trailhead at Adirondak Loj at Coronary heart Lake, a part of the Adirondack Mountain Membership. There’s additionally a campsite between Marcy Dam and Indian Falls on the path.
Q: What number of Mount Marcy trails are there?
You possibly can entry the summit of Mount Marcy by way of 4 totally different trails, with the preferred and non-technical choice being the route up from Adirondack Loj. When you’ll be mountaineering by yourself, considered one of my prime solo mountaineering ideas could be to do that route.
The path up Mount Marcy is well-marked with extra trails, pure sights, and campsites
Q: How do you get to Mount Marcy from NYC?
The Adirondacks makes for a fantastic street journey from NYC and it’s additionally considered one of my favourite solo street journey concepts within the USA! It’s advisable to have a automotive, which lets you discover the area. From New York Metropolis, the drive is about 5 hours, primarily heading north on route I-87.
Renting a automotive?
I extremely suggest utilizing Uncover Vehicles to rapidly evaluate your choices.
Q: The place does the title Mount Marcy come from?
Curiously, the primary white settlers known as Mount Marcy “Tahawus” which implies “Cloud Splitter.”
Then within the 1830s, the governor on the time, Governor William Marcy, commissioned the primary environmental survey of the world — which additionally helped result in the primary ascent of the mountain by Ebenezer Emmons — and the title of the mountain was modified.
Q: When is the very best time to hike Mount Marcy?
The perfect time to hike Mount Marcy is between Could and October. This can be a difficult hike in winter when climate situations are harsher. Due to this fact, mountaineering Mt Marcy November by means of April ought to solely be completed by skilled hikers with correct gear.
Q: How tough is Mount Marcy?
Some might contemplate the Mount Marcy mountaineering path tough as a result of size, it isn’t technically difficult and in case you are in comparatively fine condition you’ll be able to full it.
Final Mt Marcy Climbing Information Video
Love touring by means of video?
Watch above to affix me for the beautiful hike up Mount Marcy!
That is actually one of the simplest ways to see what this adventurous excessive peak path is like.
After watching, proceed studying concerning the trek beneath.
Mount Marcy Path Map & Trailhead
There are 4 path choices for reaching the highest of Mount Marcy, although most individuals who base in Lake Placid choose to begin on the Adirondack Loj. You gained’t be dissatisfied, as this path introduces you to one of many prime hikes on the planet and positively among the best hikes in Upstate New York!
Really, a lot of trails start from right here — only a brief distance from the parking space — making it a real mountaineering vacation spot within the Adirondacks.
You’ll pay $15 to park and might choose to pay $10 for a paper Mt Marcy path map from the Excessive Peaks Data Middle, or take a photograph of the Mount Marcy mountaineering map on the trailhead.
That being mentioned, I like to recommend utilizing this AllTrails map, as you’ll be able to comply with it as you hike. When you pay for the professional model of the app, it’ll additionally warn you if you make a improper flip.
Mt Marcy path map
My Journey Climbing The Highest Peak In New York
An Simple Begin Climbing Mt Marcy NY
After signing in on the Mount Marcy trailhead, Andy and I set off into the forest on a comparatively flat path.
“I don’t wish to jinx us however this hike appears fairly straightforward,” I say.
Properly, jinx!
Our Mount Marcy hike begins off leisurely, taking us over a flat filth path shaded by bushes.
We typically hike over picket planks, up pure stairs, or up slight path inclines, however over an hour goes by with out a lot problem.
The Mount Marcy hike begins off comparatively flat
As we hike, the blue path markers keep constant, although they information us over ever-changing terrain.
We stroll over big boulders, hop on stones to cross rivers and streams, and hike throughout bridges providing pretty water views.
Reaching Marcy Dam
Considered one of my favourite early-hike views comes at Marcy Dam, about an hour-and-a-half into the hike.
That is the place we get our first actual glimpse of the Adirondack vary enveloping lush forest and shrouded in fluffy clouds.
Having fun with the Adirondack excessive peak views at Marcy Dam
Whereas I wasn’t drained but, if I had been, this vista actually would have put some pep in my step.
As we proceed on from Marcy Dam to Mount Marcy, we head over a stunning picket bridge after which proceed into the quilt of the forest.
Once more, rivers and bridges break up the stroll.
In actual fact, right here is the view from Excessive Water Bridge:
Having fun with the sweetness round Excessive Water Bridge on the Mount Marcy Path. Andy is on the bridge taking a photograph of me beneath.
In some unspecified time in the future, there’s a shift in local weather, as dry earth turns into damp and mossy, the rain from the earlier night time additionally making elements of the path fairly muddy.
Fortunately, there are picket planks — at the very least to start with — to assist us over the moist earth with out utterly soaking our socks.
Fast professional tip:
The climate can change rapidly within the Keene Valley the place Mount Marcy is positioned, so deliver a rain jacket, rain pants, and waterproof sneakers with good grip!
A change in local weather alongside the Mount Marcy path
The Mount Marcy path will get steeper and steeper as you go
After the picket planks, the Mount Marcy path turns into noticeably tougher, as we have now to stroll uphill over uneven terrain and slippery stones.
Deeper and deeper we go into the forest, pine bushes offering cowl, birch bushes dripping paper, and moss supplying vivid bursts of lovely inexperienced.
Visiting Indian Falls On The Means To Mount Marcy
The path flattens as we stroll previous bushes of berries, following an indication providing a stop-off at Indian Falls.
Belief me once I say, you don’t wish to miss spending a while having fun with the unobstructed excessive peak views from this waterfall!
Indian Falls alongside the Mount Marcy Path
Mt Marcy hike view from Indian Falls
In actual fact, from right here you’ll be able to see Wright, Algonquin, and Iroquois Peaks completely framed by pines and different Adirondack bushes.
After some pictures and a much-needed snack re-fuel, we head again on the path to proceed our journey to the highest of Mount Marcy.
We hike over logs and boulders, and thru mud that doesn’t escape our sneakers. Thank goodness I made a decision to put on waterproof sneakers. Carrying correct apparel for mountaineering is essential!
Moreover, we see distinctive pure sightings like a child tree rising out of the roots of a bigger fallen tree, displaying simply how alive and linked the forest actually is.
After the waterfall can also be the place issues get extraordinarily difficult, as we have now to stroll up a steep incline of boulders.
Up and up we go!
I say a silent thanks to the universe that it isn’t raining, as mountaineering over these in moist climate would require very cautious maneuvering to not break an ankle.
Really, we’d seen an indication earlier than the ascent, warning us that the climate was topic to alter at any second and that it was vital to have correct gear earlier than persevering with. That is one thing vital to bear in mind when mountaineering up any excessive mountain.
After at the very least an hour of scrambling over boulders, we lastly emerge from the forest completely exhausted…
…but additionally renewed, as a result of we lastly get a view of Mount Marcy’s peak.
A view of the Mount Marcy summit; so shut but to this point!
Trying on the distance we nonetheless should go — virtually all uphill — we all know it gained’t be straightforward.
However at the very least now we will preserve our eye on the prize.
A Beautiful View Of The Adirondack Excessive Peaks
About midway up there’s a place to cease and have a snack whereas having fun with a severely beautiful view of the Adirondack Mountains from above the treeline.
“It’s exhausting to think about there’s a higher view ready for us on the prime,” I say to Andy, my digicam shutter continuously clicking to seize each inch of it.
How stunning is that this view? And we’re not even on the Mount Marcy summit but!
Whereas I’d by no means cease after the entire work we’d put in, particularly with so little (but a lot!) to go, I used to be feeling the burn at this level from the entire uphill climbing.
For the ultimate ascent, we actually wanted to scramble and get on all fours at occasions to make our manner up the steep rock face.
“I hope I can get down,” I half-joke, struggling to not fall backward when standing up.
Reaching The Mount Marcy Summit
However then, after about 30-40 minutes of gasping for breath and clutching at sheer rock, we emerge on the prime of Mount Marcy — the best peak in all of New York State.
The ultimate ascent up Mount Marcy.
We made it! The attractive Mount Marcy summit, that includes views of the encompassing Adirondack Excessive Peaks.
With shaky legs, we wander across the Mount Marcy summit, making an attempt to absorb each doable vista.
The reality is, from many spots on the prime you may get a real 360-degree view of the Excessive Peaks Area, a sight I’d by no means seen in my 33 years residing in New York.
I spent a lot of my time on the summit spinning in circles like a toddler and taking all of it in.
Immediately, a black crow glides over the panorama, including sleek motion to a shocking pure setting so totally different from what I’m used to again house in New York Metropolis.
Sitting right down to eat our lunch — scrumptious sandwiches from the Adirondack Nook Retailer Deli, which is open early — I really feel immense gratitude to be experiencing such magnificence.
The Adirondack Excessive Peaks appear to go on perpetually!
I didn’t point out this earlier than, however this journey was truly our mini-honeymoon, a last-minute response to the 2020 pandemic suspending our deliberate honeymoon to Tanzania in addition to the farmhouse wedding ceremony we’d been planning.
However that was okay as a result of the day’s journey mountaineering up Mount Marcy was actually one thing distinctive and particular that I’d always remember.
The one motive I didn’t keep up there all day was that we nonetheless wanted to get again down the path.
Spoiler:
This appeared to take longer than going up, primarily as a result of it began to rain at one level, and sliding down the large rocks was a bit extra horrifying than bellying up over them.
A Scrumptious Lake Placid Dinner
Once we lastly do get again into Lake Placid, our house base for the journey, we rapidly bathe after which exit for a scrumptious al fresco dinner on the Upstairs Grill Steak & Seafood.
On the menu for the night: a delicious seafood pasta that includes shrimp, calamari, clams, mussels, and lobster, a seafood pizza, a loaf of sizzling Italian bread, and a wealthy slice of cheesecake, all paired with a bottle of wine.
A scrumptious dinner in Lake Placid at Upstairs Grill Steak & Seafood
Hey, we’d earned it. By the point we’d reached the restaurant, we’d walked about 50,000 steps for the day, in response to our pedometers. I feel it’s secure to imagine we slept within the subsequent day.
By the best way, that is hardly the one scrumptious restaurant in Lake Placid. A couple of different eateries so as to add to your itinerary embrace:
Black Bear Restaurant. At this eatery, you’ll be able to take pleasure in scrumptious Italian meals proper on Mirror Lake. Personally, I liked my Seafood Black Bear, which included a heaping plate of pasta topped with clams, shrimp, mussels, and scallops. Yum!
Lake Placid Pub & Brewery. If you need a tasty consolation meals meal paired with native beer, this spot serves up the whole lot from burgers to steaks to fish and chips and past. Professional tip: When you’re gluten-free, they’ve many choices, from pizzas made with gluten-free crust to burgers on gluten-free rolls.
Having fun with a meal with a view at Black Bear Restaurant. Picture by way of Jessie Festa.
Enjoyable Adirondack Climbing Challenges
When you begin mountaineering within the Adirondacks, you’ll be capable to participate in a variety of enjoyable mountaineering challenges, a couple of of which embrace:
Be part of the Adirondack 46ers Membership.
The Adirondack 46ers Membership celebrates out of doors fanatics who’ve summited all 46 excessive peaks of the Adirondack Area.
Becoming a member of the official membership additionally entails working to protect the wilderness, as members collaborate instantly with the New York State Division of Environmental Conservation.
Mount Marcy is considered one of them, so doing this hike is a superb place to begin!
Mushrooms alongside the Mount Marcy path
Grow to be A Lake Placid 9er.
Turning into a Lake Placid 9er is a much less intense Adirondack mountaineering problem, although it’s undoubtedly not straightforward.
The problem entails mountaineering 9 of the Adirondack’s decrease peaks, which in whole consists of 10,000 toes of elevation and over 30 miles of path.
The 9 peaks embrace:
- Cobble Hill (2,332 toes; 2.2 miles round-trip)
- Mount Jo (2,876 toes; 2.6 miles round-trip)
- Baxter Mountain (2,440 toes; 2.4 miles round-trip)
- Mt. Van Hoevenberg (2,940 toes; 4.4 miles round-trip)
- Large Crow Mountain (2,815 toes; 1.4 miles round-trip)
- Bear Den Mountain (2,650 toes; 4.5 miles round-trip)
- Pitchoff Mountain (3,500 toes; 5.2 miles round-trip)
- Catamount Mountain (3,169 toes; 3.6 miles round-trip)
- Hurricane Mountain (3,678 toes; 6.8 miles round-trip)
The Cranberry Lake Problem
This Adirondack mountaineering problem includes circling the 50-mile loop round Cranberry Lake — the area’s third-largest lake — over time.
You’ll additionally get your title on this web site!
Stopping to benefit from the sunshine alongside the Mt Marcy path.
Mount Marcy Excessive Peak Additions
This isn’t a membership, per se, however if you wish to make your hike up Mount Marcy much more difficult you’ll be able to add on the excessive peaks of Mount Skylight and Mount Grey.
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