Adirondack Hiking
From the High Peaks to the Low Lands
Nye Mountain
One of the most accessible “trail-less” peaks, Nye is a fairly easy climb, however, does not boast even a meager view from the top. Most people hike Nye and Street together. 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.
Cliff Mountain
Don’t be misled by Cliff’s low elevation. As a trail-less peak that is usually climbed alongside Redfield, it has a long (often muddy) approach and only has mediocre views from the top. Since the trip up the two peaks has quite high mileage, you’ll want to make sure you get an early start and ideally hike the mountains in the summer to maximize the amount of daylight you’ll have while on the trail.
Blake Peak
Blake is climbed from the Lower Ausable Lake after summiting Colvin. Climbed in conjunction with Colvin, despite being below 4,000 ft, Blake is still a solid hike, since there is such a long hike leading up to the climb up Colvin and Blake. However, the hike is worth the distance, despite the summit being wooded there are great views of the lakes below and mountains nearby during the hike to the top.
Grace Peak
Recently renamed Grace Peak after Grace Hudowalski, the first woman to climb all 46 High Peaks, East Dix is most often summited alongside other peaks in the Dix Range, although it is possible to climb the peak from the east, via Lindsay Brook. One of the few peaks in the Dix Range with an unobstructed view from the summit, the view is well worth the long hike in.
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.
