Cascade Mountain is the thirty-sixth tallest mountain in New York. As one of the most popular High Peaks for individuals relatively new to hiking, the parking area for Cascade often fills quickly, especially in the summer. We strongly recommend you consider a less popular and less crowded trail if you’re seeking peace and solitude on your hike. Nonetheless, Cascade Mountain is a relatively short hike to outstanding panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Distance: 2.4 miles to the summit, thus 4.8 miles round trip (This is set to change as the trail will be re-routed)
Ascent: 1,178 feet
Elevation: 4,098 feet
Primary Trailhead: To reach the trailhead from Lake Placid follow Route 73 toward Keene for 8.4 miles. The trailhead and parking area are on the right, just before Upper Cascade Lake. Note that this is a busy road and the main parking area is often full, especially on nice days, making parking in one of the overflow lots necessary. Be cautious and alert when walking along the shoulder of the busy highway. Even better, consider trying one of the many other beautiful — and less popular — hikes in the area.
Trail Route: The trail up Cascade Mountain drops away from the highway via a set of stairs and crosses a bridge before reaching the trail register. After that, it immediately begins to ascend at moderate grades, weaving between large rocks as it goes. The path levels off and crosses a stream at 0.6 mile, where there is a nice cascading waterfall. After crossing the brook on rocks, the trail swings left and begins to climb more steeply until it reaches Cascade’s ridge at 1.4 miles. Swinging right, the path follows the ridge at easy to moderate grades until it reaches a steep section of open rock at 1.8 miles. Excellent views await.
Re-entering the woods, the path continues its easy to moderate ascent to a junction with the trail to Porter Mountain at 2 miles (0.8 mile to the summit, elevation 4,058 feet). That side trip is a great way to extend this hike in one outing.
Continuing straight, the open rocks of Cascade’s summit soon appear above the stunted spruce and balsam fir growth. From this point, paint blazes on the rocks mark the route as it quickly gains the summit at 2.4 miles. Be sure to avoid stepping on the fragile vegetation as you make your way to the incredible, 360-degree panoramic views on the summit.
History: Cascade Mountain’s name comes from a series of waterfalls on a brook near the mountain’s base.
Location: Cascade Mountain is located in the Town of Keene, in Essex County, in the Northern region of New York State.