Home ⎟ Hikes & Wanderings ⎟ New York ⎟ Adirondacks  ⎜Mount Marcy

Distance: 15 miles

Time: 8-10 hours

Difficulty: Strenuous – Admittedly, a little painful as a day hike but well worth the effort.  Once you hit tree line, there’s no where left to go but up; the views just keep getting better and better.

Elevation Gain: 3,165 feet

Dog Notes: While this hike isn’t technically intensive, it is an exceedingly long hike for a dog.  Take breaks regularly and bring enough water.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Known to Native Americans as Tahawus, or “cloud-splitter,” Mt. Marcy stands 5,344 feet tall as New York’s highest point.  The 360-degree views from the top are phenomenal.  This route is the most popular, because its the shortest route to the top as a day hike.  And don’t forget to pay a visit to Indian Falls, a little over halfway up the Van Hoevenberg Trail.  This is a spectacular climb, year-round; and in the winter, a fun and challenging ski trail. Come prepared, and don’t forget an extra layer or two for the summit, which can be windy and chilly year-round.

Description: From the end of the ADK Loj parking lot, across from the Adirondack Mountain Club’s HPIC, follow the trail 1 mile, crossing a wooden bridge over a stream and ascending through tall pine forest to its intersection with the Algonquin Peak trail – veer LEFT here on the BLUE BLAZES for another mile, arriving at Marcy Dam and turn a sharp LEFT to a bridge that takes you across the dam where you’ll see Algonquin Peak, Phelps & Mt Colden.  Just beyond the Dam, make a RIGHT to a trail register, and continue beyond the register on the BLUE-BLAZED Van Hoevenberg Trail.  You’ll ascend from here along Marcy Brook, first on it’s right banks, then crossing to its left.  At 4.4 miles reach the sign for the Indian Falls spur trail going off to your RIGHT, and follow this for a perfect break spot.  Return to the trail from Indian Falls, turning RIGHT back onto the BLUE BLAZED Van Hoevenberg Trail.  ___ At 5,000 feet rise above treeline, beginning to climb from boulder to boulder, ascending the exposed rocks.  At 7.4 miles reach Mt. Marcy’s summit.  Take in the 360 degree view, spanning Northwest over Algonquin, Iroquois, Wright, Colden, Whiteface, even the St. Lawrence River and Canada on a clear day. To the east, you can see Colvin, Macomb, Blake, Nippletop and on a clear day, Camel’s Hump in Vermont.  Return the way you came, following the blue blazes back down Mount Marcy,
reaching a DEC sign at treeline, and continuing back to Indian Falls. A little more than 2 miles beyond Indian Falls, you’ll reach Marcy Dam.  Circumnavigate Marcy Dam on its southeastern edges, and re-enter the woods on its northwest side via the blue blazes.  After a mile, pass the yellow-blazed Algonquin Trail, continuing on the blue blazes back to the Adirondack Loj parking area.

As a day long hike in the warmer months, I’d recommend beginning between 7am and 8am, which should land you back at your car around 6pm, with enough time to spare to catch the sun setting over Lake Placid.

Driving Directions: Take I-87 North to Exit 30, and follow 9N toward Keene, NY. After 2 miles, bear slightly LEFT onto US 73 W. Go 24 miles, then turn LEFT at Adirondack Loj Road.  Continue to the end of the road (about 4 miles) to the trailhead parking lot.