Gray Peak is the seventh tallest mountain in New York and offers an excellent view of over 30 other peaks in the region.
Distance: 8.5 miles to the summit, thus 17 mile round trip
Ascent: feet
Elevation: 4,826 feet
Primary Trailhead: The shortest and most popular route leaves from the High Peaks Information Center parking lot, near Adirondak Loj. There is a parking fee ($10 for full day, $5 after 1 p.m.) to use this large lot. This lot fills quickly so plan an early start to your hike if you hope to nab a coveted parking spot. To reach this lot from Lake Placid on Route 73, turn right on Adirondack Loj Road, and follow it to its end. Pay the fee at the booth, even if no one is inside.
Trail Route: Starting from the Adirondack Loj parking lot, the first 2.3 miles of the Van Hoevenberg Trail are easy to moderate as the trail approaches the Marcy Dam site. The dam was damaged by Hurricane Irene and never repaired, thus eliminating the famous and picturesque Marcy Dam Pond. Nonetheless, hikers are still treated to superb views of Mount Colden, Avalanche Mountain, and Wright Peak from this vantage point.
From Marcy Dam, follow the trail to Avalanche Pass. You will pass by Avalanche Camp, where you begin to climb. Take a left and head toward Lake Arnold. You will climb steeply up the shoulder of Mount Colden and eventually be at Lake Arnold. At Lake Arnold you will stay left and continue to climb to the top of the pass and descend for a bit into the valley. After a sometimes wet hike through the valley over log bridges and around beaver activity you will pass by Feldspar Lean-to. 0.1 miles past the lean-to is a major T-intersection. Right leads down to Lake Colden. Follow the trail to your left and continue an aggressive climb up to Lake-Tear-of-the-Clouds.
At the outlet of the lake, look for a faint herd-path to your left that rock hops the outlet and enters a spruce forest. This herd-path leads to the summit of Gray. The herd-path can also be confusing at times, so be careful not to lose it. The climb will be very steep in areas, and in others very moderate.
History: Gray Peak was named for Asa Gray by Verplanck Colvin. Gray is the highest peak in the Adirondacks without a maintained and marked trail.
Location: Gray Peak is located in the Town of Keene, in Essex County, in the Northern region of New York State.