Mount Redfield

The route: Adirondack Loj

The most straightforward way to hike Cliff and Redfield is to begin at the Adirondack Loj and follow the trail to Avalanche Pass via Marcy Dam. We describe it here as a loop with Cliff first, although it is equally possible to go in the opposite direction.

Follow the route in our description of Colden as far as the Avalanche Lean-to. Following signs for Avalanche Lake, continue through Avalanche Pass until you come out to the lake. The trail runs along the shore of Avalanche Lake and on to Lake Colden, and continues past Lake Colden to the intersection with the red Marcy Trail at the end of the lake. Take the Marcy Trail as it crosses the Opalescent River on a suspension bridge. Though it is called the Marcy Trail, it is not part of the route in our description of the hike up Marcy.

Follow the trail for 1.8 miles from the intersection of the Colden and Marcy trails. There you will see a cairn marking the unmaintained trail to Redfield and Cliff, leading off to your right. Continue on the unmarked path for only a few minutes to another cairn marking the turnoff for Cliff. Follow this turnoff up Cliff, a somewhat challenging 0.8 miles to the summit, with plenty of muddy sections and rock scrambling.

When you return on the unmarked path from Cliff, take a right to head up Redfield. The path follows a brook, with frequent waterfalls and points to pause and take in the view that slowly opens behind you. It is a little longer but a little less technical than the path up Cliff.

After following the path back down to the intersection with the Marcy Trail, you have two options: follow the trail left and retrace your steps, or take a right and make the hike a loop. To the right, the Marcy Trail is marked in yellow. Hike until you reach the intersection on your right for the trail that heads up Skylight and Marcy via Lake Tear of the Clouds, and continue straight along the trail as it rolls up toward Lake Arnold.

At Lake Arnold, continue on, bearing left at the intersection with the Indian Falls trail. From Lake Arnold you will lose 1,200 feet in elevation over 1.5 miles by the time you reach the Avalanche Pass trail. At that intersection, take a right (left leads back toward Avalanche Lake) and retrace your steps to Marcy Dam and back to the Adirondack Loj, likely with tired legs after nearly 20 miles.

The views

Atop Redfield you will have rewarding views of Skylight, Marcy, Gray and Algonquin, to name a few.

Often hiked with

It makes sense to hike Redfield together with Cliff Mountain, since the two share the same long approach and herd path junction.

High Peak details

Difficulty

Very strenuous

46er rank

#15 of 46

Range

Marcy area

Trail type

Herd path, no maintained trail

Trailhead

Adirondack Loj

Route

Loop with Cliff Mountain

Trailhead and map

From Lake Placid, take Route 73 toward Keene and turn right onto Adirondack Loj Road. Follow it to the end. A parking fee is collected at the booth. In summer, the lots often fill before 6am on weekends and 9am on weekdays. If they are full, don't wait for a spot or park in the No Parking stretch of the road. Use the overflow parking at the end of Meadows Lane, which adds about a mile each way. ADK's website has current fees and parking tips.

Trail resources

Conditions

Conditions change fast. Check current trail conditions and DEC's High Peaks page before heading out.