Lake Placid 9er Hiking Challenge
The Lake Placid 9er
Nine peaks under 4,000 feet in the Lake Placid and High Peaks region — each one a genuine Adirondack experience, without the commitment of the 46ers.
The Lake Placid 9er was created in 2018 by James Appleton, a Lake Placid native who wanted to draw hikers away from the overcrowded High Peaks and onto the region's smaller, equally rewarding summits. The nine peaks are ordered by difficulty — designed so that hiking them in sequence builds your fitness and skill for each successive climb. By the time you finish Hurricane Mountain, you're ready to take on the 46ers. Complete them all and you'll have visited fire towers, iconic trailheads, and some of the best views in the Adirondacks — many of which most visitors never find.
A family-friendly hike right from the edge of Lake Placid village. Views of the High Peaks, the Olympic ski jumps, and the village itself. Loop it by going up one trail and down the other.
Full Guide →One of the most popular hikes in the Lake Placid region — and for good reason. Trailhead starts from the Adirondack Loj. Two trail options allow you to loop it, with big High Peaks views from the top.
Full Guide →Easy to moderate terrain with switchbacks make this a solid early-challenge hike. The trail crosses private land — treat it with extra care. Good lung-builder for what's ahead.
Full Guide →Home to the Olympic bobsled and luge run, but the summit views are what draw hikers. The 9er creator's personal favorite — especially in fall, with sweeping views of the Macintyre Range, Marcy, Colden, and south meadows below.
Full Guide →Short but steep — this one goes straight up from the woods. Views of Hurricane Mountain and 28 different High Peaks from the top. Little Crow is visible from the summit and easily combined into a thru-hike the same day.
Full Guide →A hidden gem trailheading from the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center. Continuous switchbacks with no flat breaks will test your aerobic fitness. The summit delivers unique close-up views of Whiteface that most hikers never see.
Full Guide →A fan favorite with multiple lookouts throughout the ascent. Can be done as a thru-hike between two trailheads on Rte. 73. After summiting, don't skip the short side trail to Balanced Rocks — one of the more memorable spots on the entire challenge.
Full Guide →Arguably the most challenging on the list — steep climbs, rock scrambles, chimneys, and false summits. Pay close attention to the cairns and trail markers; it's easy to stray. The reward is a true 360° summit view. A hidden gem in every sense.
Full Guide →The epic finale. One of the best hikes in the Adirondacks, full stop. A recently cut trail leads through varied terrain to a 360° rocky summit with a restored fire tower on top. If you've hiked the others in order, you've earned this one. Also counts toward the ADK Fire Tower Challenge.
Full Guide →One Way to Tackle It: The Long Weekend
For the ambitious — peaks grouped by trailhead proximity, as recommended by lakeplacid9er.com. Most hikers spread these out over multiple trips.
- Big Crow Mountain
- Baxter Mountain
- Hurricane Mountain
- Pitchoff Mountain
- Mt. Jo
- Mt. Van Hoevenberg
- Cobble Hill
- Bear Den Mountain
- Catamount Mountain
Earn Your 9er Patch
Complete all nine peaks (any time after July 1, 2018) and mail in the registration form with a $12 fee. You'll receive a finisher number, patch, and stickers. Four challenge variants are available: standard, Winter (Dec. 21–March 20), Ultra (all 9 in 24 hours), and Winter Ultra. Free downloadable trail maps are available on the official site.
- Hike them in order if you can. The difficulty progression is intentional — each peak prepares your legs and lungs for the next. By the time you reach Catamount and Hurricane, you'll be glad you worked up to them.
- No time limit. Unlike some challenges, the 9er has no deadline. Knock out a few peaks per trip over multiple seasons, or block out a long weekend and go all-in.
- Mt. Jo requires a parking fee. The Adirondak Loj parking area charges $10/day. Plan accordingly and arrive early — it fills up fast in summer.
- Pitchoff works best as a thru-hike. Two trailheads on Rte. 73 let you walk one way. Arrange two cars or a shuttle — it's worth it to avoid backtracking.
- Catamount requires navigation attention. Unlike the other peaks, Catamount has sections where it's easy to lose the trail. Follow the cairns carefully, especially near the rocky upper sections.
- Cell service is limited — don't rely on technology. Phones lose reception, batteries die, and screens crack. Carry a paper map and know your route before you leave the car. Download the free LP9er map from lakeplacid9er.com before your trip.