Whiteface Mountain
- Distance~11.4 miRound trip
- Summit4,867 ftElevation
- Ascent3,620 ftTotal gain
Perhaps one of the most iconic mountains in the Adirondacks, Whiteface ranks fifth in elevation among the 46 and there are many ways to its summit. In the summer months you can drive up the toll road, and in the winter you can ski up it. This Adirondack High Peak is also home to Olympic alpine ski trails and the "Largest Vertical in the East."
The route
There are a couple of hiking trails to the top of Whiteface. This guide follows the Wilmington Trail, which starts from the parking area on Reservoir Road.
-
0 – 1.4 mi
Parking area to the ridge
From the parking area, follow a bridge over a brook and then continue gradually through a hardwood forest for 1.4 miles until you reach a ridge.
-
1.4 – 2.2 mi
Up Marble Mountain
At the ridge the trail starts climbing somewhat steeply for 0.8 miles to the summit of Marble Mountain.
-
2.2 – ~4.0 mi
Marble Mountain to the Esther junction
Continue briefly on level ground, then climb for a quarter of a mile to an opening with a good view of Esther Mountain, Whiteface's smaller (and only) 46er neighbor. The trail continues up for another mile until you come to a view of Whiteface, then descends briefly to the intersection with the trail leading right to Esther. Stay on the trail to Whiteface as it continues downward another half mile before briefly leveling off.
-
~4.0 – 4.9 mi
The steep climb to treeline
The trail begins to climb again and continues steeply for another mile, cutting close to the Memorial Highway as it breaks above the tree line at 4.9 miles.
-
4.9 – 5.2 mi
Across the rock to the summit
The final 0.3 miles provide beautiful views of Whiteface's picturesque slides as you continue across the rock face to the castle at the top of the mountain.
In winter
If you're an avid skier, we recommend skiing up the toll road in the winter or taking the hiking trail in the summer, particularly if you're used to a snow-covered view.
Other routes
Another popular alternative is to hike the mountain via Whiteface Landing and Connery Pond, which is about 12 miles round-trip. It doesn't have convenient access to Esther, but it is beautiful and enjoyable in its own right. The trailhead is just a few minutes outside of Lake Placid. Depending on the time of year, the gate to the parking area on Connery Pond Road may be closed. If that's the case, there is a parking area right next to this road off of Route 86.
A shorter option starts from the Atmospheric Science Research Center, at about 7.8 miles round-trip.
Often hiked with
The Wilmington Trail passes the junction for Esther Mountain, Whiteface's only 46er neighbor, so the two are often hiked together.
High Peak details
- Difficulty
- Very strenuous
- 46er rank
- #5 of 46
- Range
- Whiteface and Esther
- Trail type
- Marked trail
- Trailhead
- Wilmington Trail, Reservoir Road
Trailhead and map
If you are heading to Wilmington from Lake Placid on Route 86, follow it until the four corners with Bonnieview Road ahead and Whiteface Mountain Road on the left. Turn left and follow the road for 0.6 miles to Reservoir Road on your left. Take that left and you will see a parking area 0.2 miles ahead on the right.
Trail resources
- Conditions
- Conditions change fast. Check current trail conditions and DEC's High Peaks page before heading out.
- Directions
- Open in Google Maps
From the PureADK shop
