Challenge: 46 High Peaks ·

#36 Cascade Mountain

Cover Photo By Pioneer Joey Priola

One of the most accessible of the 46 high peaks, Cascade can also be one of the most crowded. A popular hike for families in the summertime, snowshoers in the winter, and athletes just out for a quick jaunt, the parking areas near the trailhead are often full and you will often find cars parked along the road. Be sure to appropriately plan for this depending on the time of the year if you want to avoid the crowds.

Trail Stats:

Distance	4.8 miles round trip
Elevation	4,098 feet
Ascent	1,940 feet

The trail up Cascade begins by briefly heading downhill before beginning to climb gradually and steadily. Around 0.5 miles the trail will cross a brook, becoming steeper at 0.7 miles and continues at this gradient for another 0.5 miles. The trail will climb steeply for another 0.5 miles before reaching a ledge with a good lookout at 1.8 miles. At 2.1 miles the trail comes to a Y and you will head left towards Cascade (the trail to the right leads to Porter Mountain). Shortly after the intersection, the trail opens up to the rock face, and you will be out in the open, hiking along the open rock face for the last 0.3 miles until you reach the summit at 2.4 miles with some incredible 360-degree views of the area.

Trailhead:

Heading from Lake Placid to Keene on Route 73, the trailhead for Cascade will be 4.5 miles from the intersection of Route 73 and Adirondack Loj Road. There are alternate parking areas before and after the trailhead along the same side of the road if the parking area directly in front of the trailhead is full.

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High Peaks Map

Plan & prepare for your ADK adventure! ADK Mountain Club's topographic trail map, High Peaks: Adirondack Trail Map, revised edition as of Summer 2021. The go-to map for the latest on High Peaks trails, lean-tos, campsites, and public-private land boundaries, many of which have changed in the last year alone.

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Remember to Leave No Trace! Buy a physical map, read it, plan, and prepare. Think about the NYS Rangers and medical personnel that exhaust themselves for a rescue that could have been avoided. Pack out your trash. Use a bear canister when primitive camping and cook away from where you’re sleeping. Do the rock walk to help reduce the impact on fragile alpine vegetation. Camp at designated campsites and never camp on or near summits.

The 46 of 46 Podcast

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ADK 46er Journey: Brecka Coonradt

We welcome Brecka Coonradt, who shares her experience hiking the 46 Adirondack High Peaks to become an ADK 46er. Enjoy following along below as she shares her stories and lessons learned throughout her journey.

ADK 46er Winter Journey: Jay Whitbourne

I have seen some of the most amazing cloud inversions during the winter and had some of the most surreal moments when the snow conditions are just right, the sky is clear, the wind is calm and the air isn't nipping at your skin.

ADK Winter 46er Journey: Sam Perkins

I have learned so much over the years, and I continue to learn each time I go for a hike. I could go on and on about gear, trails, mountains, clothing, etc. A lot of it has been trial and error. I have spent a lot of time reading, looking at maps, learning more about weather, researching different gear… the list goes on.