Hiking to the Summit of Mount Marcy: New York's Highest Peak
Want to stand on the top of New York's highest peak?
With an elevation of 5,344 ft., Mount Marcy reigns as both the tallest mountain in the Adirondacks and the highest peak in New York.
Mount Marcy Trail Stats
Trail Length: 7.4 miles one way from Adirondack Loj to the summit
Elevation: 5, 344 ft.
Elevation Gain: 3,166 ft
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Dog Permitted: Dogs are welcome on the trail but must be leashed at all times
Parking: There is a parking lot located at the end of Adirondack Loj Road
Facilities: Hikers can find a bathroom at the High Peaks Information Center, where they can also purchase last-minute gear and necessities. The Hungry Hiker snack bar offers locally-sourced burgers, ice cream and coffee.
Fee/ Permit: A $15 fee is required to park at the Adirondack Loj
In July 2016, my husband and I unintentionally climbed to the top of New Hampshire’s highest peak, Mt. Washington, and I’ve been drawn to the mountains ever since. I’ve set a goal to climb the highest peak in each state. As my 30th birthday approached, I shared my desire to summit Mount Marcy with my then-boyfriend, Anthony. He planned the entire trip, turning it into a backpacking adventure. In June 2021, we successfully hiked Mount Marcy, crossing another peak off my list!
Mount Marcy
Standing at 5,344 ft, Mount Marcy is not only the highest peak in the Adirondack Mountains’ High Peak Wilderness Area but also the tallest point in all of New York. The summit offers spectacular views, and on a clear day, you can see many of the Adirondack High Peaks as well as Vermont.
However, it’s important to note that the hike up Mount Marcy is challenging, and hikers should be well-prepared. You can choose to embark on a day hike, starting early and finishing in the late afternoon, or turn it into a backpacking adventure. Either way, be sure to approach the trail with proper planning.
Where To Park
To begin this route, park your vehicle at the Adirondack Loj, a well-known trailhead for various hikes in the High Peaks Wilderness. Non-members of the Adirondack Club must pay a daily parking fee of $15, which you can pay through a self-payment envelope, so be sure to bring cash.
While there is ample parking available that accommodate over 100 vehicles, the lots tend to fill up quickly during peak season, typically around 7am. It’s best to arrive early to secure a spot.
However, if you are unable to secure a parking space at Adirondack Loj, there is another parking area available at South Meadow Trailhead, located 1 mile back up the road. This will add an additional 2 miles to your hike.
Mount Marcy via the Van Hoevenberg Trail
The trailhead for Mount Marcy via the Van Hoevenberg Trail is located at the Adirondack Loj parking lot. After signing the logbook, we started a 2.1-mile hike to Marcy Dam. Upon reaching Marcy Dam, we selected a designated campsite and pitched our tent. We arrived early, so we had a good selection of sites to choose from. We opted for a spot close to the river so we could relax and stargaze in the evening. After setting up camp, we continued hiking to Phelps Mountain and Tabletop Mountain. Although the view from Tabletop was somewhat limited due to the trees, the lush greenery was nonetheless beautiful. We proceeded to hike to Phelps, where we were rewarded with a stunning view. Once we returned to our tent, we prepared dinner and refilled our water supply before spending the evening stargazing.
Top images: Tabletop Mountain, Bottom images: Phelps Mountain
The following day, we woke up early and hit the trail to reach the summit of Mount Marcy. We hiked 2.4 miles to teach Indian Falls, a popular rest stop for hikers on their way to Mount Marcy. The falls are located on Marcy Brook, adjacent to the Mount Marcy Trail.
Experience the Breathtaking View from the Summit
As we ascended the final scramble with 2.3 remaining to reach the summit, we broke through the treeline and were rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree view of the High Peak summits, which left us in disbelief.
The trip became even more memorable when my boyfriend proposed to me! (check out the proposal picture!)
descending from Mount Marcy // Lake Tear of the Clouds,
Hitch-Up Matildas, wooden catwalks bolted into the rock face
a suspension bridge // Avalanche Lake
After celebrating our engagement, we had lunch on the summit and then began our long descent back to the campsite. One mile later, we arrived at Lake Tear of the Clouds, and were amazed by how far and high it looked from our vantage point. It was truly a sight to behold. As we continued our hike, we crossed a suspension bridge over Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake, encountering Hitch-Up Matildas, wooden catwalks bolted into the rock face, and ladders to climb. This section of hike was challenging but enjoyable. We arrived back at Marcy Dam campsites before dark, had dinner, and went straight to bed.
Celebratory
After a tiring but memorable day, we woke up the next morning as newly-engaged partners, packed up our tent, and started hiking back to Adirondack Loj. We then drove to Lake Placid to have breakfast at The Breakfast Club and celebrate our engagement. We had a satisfying breakfast before making our way back home to Rochester.
Preparing Properly for Climbing Up Mount Marcy
- Proper attire for hiking, avoid cotton!
- Backpack
- 10 essentials
- Offline map (downloading AllTrails Map before you go)
- Extra snacks
- Plenty of water, I *HIGHLY* recommend 3L hydration reservoir
Helpful Tips
Always check the weather and trail conditions before starting your hike. Websites like Mountain Forecast and DEC’s Backcountry Information for the High Peaks Region webpage provide useful information.
Regardless of the season, bring extra layers for the summit, where it can be cooler.
Wear waterproof hiking shoes/ boots- the trail can be wet, even in the summer!
Bear-resistant canisters are mandatory in the eastern Adirondacks, including Mount Marcy.
Designated campsites near Marcy Dam and along the Van Hoevenberg Trail are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan accordingly.
Consider bringing a camp stove to prepare hot meals, as campfires are NOT permitted in the High Peaks Wilderness area.
The Adirondack Loj on Heart Lake offers lodging options for those who prefer not to camp.
If day hiking, start early to ensure you have enough time to complete the hike before dark.
The Adirondack Loj parking lot is the starting point for several hikes in the area and fills up quickly, so arrive early!
Bring cash for parking.
Always follow Leave No Trace principles to help preserve the beauty of the Adirondacks for future generations.
Have you hiked Mount Marcy before? Share your experience in the comment below to help others plan their own adventure!
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