Mount Marcy is the tallest mountain in New York. Marcy has four trails leading to its summit. While this hike is not the most technically challenging hike in the Adirondacks, you can expect some varied terrain and a long day of hiking on this lengthy adventure.
Distance: 7.4 miles to the summit, thus 14.8 mile round trip when taking the shortest route
Ascent: 3,166 feet
Elevation: 5,344 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.
After crossing the damn, turn left to follow the Phelps Brook Trail which which you will take to the Marcy Brook Trail at the 4.4 mile point. This part of the trail is rocky with lots of boulders to step on. After crossing the brook, we recommend taking a very brief detour on the herd path right for about 50 yards to the top of Indian Falls. If you have a water filtration system and need to refill water, this the last spot to refill water. There are no streams the rest of the way and the hiking gets harder as you get closer to the summit. From the Indian Falls lookout point you will be treated to a magneificient view of the MacIntyre Range. From Indian Falls there is a moderate ascent up to the tree line. Depending on the weather and/or season, you’re apt to notice a severe change in temperature, wind, or visibility as you reach this elevation.
Pressing on, Marcy’s summit cone reveals itself before timberline is reached at 6.8 miles. Nearing the final push, it’s a steep climb over open rock to the top, which is reached at 7.4 miles.
History: Marcy is named after the 19th-century New York State Governor William L. Marcy who authorized the environmental survey that explored the area. However, this wasn’t the only name the mountain went by. Mt. Marcy was called Tahawus (meaning Cloud Splitter) by the first white settlers in the Adirondack Region.
Location: Mount Marcy is located in the Town of Keene, in Essex County, in the Northern region of New York State.