Adirondack Hiking
From the High Peaks to the Low Lands
Mount Emmons
The third peak in the Seward Range, Mount Emmons is named for Ebenezer Emmons, a geologist who is credited with naming the Adirondacks and who also led the first recorded ascent of Mount Marcy. Despite his accomplishments, Emmons’ namesake peak is not well known, as it is challenging to get to and one of the tougher high peaks to climb.
Mount Colvin
Colvin has a beautiful view of Marcy and the Great Range from its summit. The only caveat is that there is a moderately long (though mostly flat) hike in from the Ausable Club to the head of Lower Ausable Lake before you can start climbing up to the summit.
Porter Mountain
Often hiked with Cascade, Porter is perhaps the second easiest 46er to summit. It is not a much longer hike than Cascade and shares the same trail most of the way to the top. It also has beautiful views of the Cascade Lakes and surrounding peaks, making it a worthwhile morning or afternoon hike.
South Dix
Grouped among and usually summited alongside the other mountains in the Dix range (Macomb, Dix, Hough, and East Dix), South Dix is beautiful in its own right, despite the fact that it is seldom if ever the only peak summited in a day’s hike. South Dix is actually in the process of being renamed to Carson Peak, in commemoration of Russell Carson, a former President of the Adirondack Mountain Club.
Cascade Mountain
The easiest and 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.
Sawteeth Mountain
One of the Adirondacks more iconic peaks, recognizable by a ridgeline that looks like the teeth of a saw, Sawteeth does not disappoint with the views from the top either. A great hike to do alongside Gothics or solo, it is a popular summer climb.
Seymour Mountain
Also part of the Seward Range, though not often climbed in conjunction with the other three mountains in the range, Seymour is a trail-less peak that stands alone, separated by the other three in the range by a large valley.
Mount Donaldson
Named after Alfred Lee Donaldson, the first person to author a complete history of the Adirondacks, Mount Donaldson is remote, but offers beautiful and sweeping views of its neighboring peaks in the Seward Range as well as the surrounding lowlands and Long Lake.
Phelps Mountain
A beautiful and accessible high peak, Phelps is a good family-friendly hike, not for the super little ones, but for any kids who can do a 9-mile round-trip. Given its accessibility and the regular use of its trails, Phelps is also a popular mountain to ski or snowshoe during the winter. Phelps is named for Old Man Phelps, the well-known guide who cut the first trail up Marcy and led many trips to its summit.
Street Mountain
One of the most accessible “trail-less” peaks, Street is typically hiked in the same trip as Nye. While Street has a wooded summit, there is an opening with a decent view near the summit. Since both Street and Nye have poor views and unmaintained trails, they tend to be quieter options than many of the other hikes that begin at Adirondack Loj, and are a good bet if you’re looking to run into fewer people during the busy season.
Lower Wolfjaw Mountain
The Wolfjaws are said to have received their name from the painter Alexander Wyant, who began summering in Keene in 1869 and from a vantage point on Noonmark Mountain he painted the mountains with this representation in mind. Lower Wolfjaw has a better view than Upper, and can be hiked solo or en route to Upper Wolfjaw, Armstrong, and Gothics.
Upper Wolfjaw Mountain
Generally climbed alongside Lower Wolfjaw, Armstrong, and Gothics, Upper Wolfjaw is not the most remarkable of the four peaks. That said, it is often a good and quiet stopping point for lunch as it’s close to the middle mark if you’re climbing all four. While the summit is somewhat treed, there are a number of side trails leading to various lookouts near the top that provide good views of the neighboring peaks and great places to pause and eat your lunch.