Mount Marcy

Standing a lofty 5,344 feet above sea level, Mt. Marcy in the northern Adirondacks is the highest peak in the state of New York. Resting wondrously like a pyramid, Marcy holds a bit of mysticism, wonder and challenge in scaling the top of this peak. But by no means is hiking to the top of Marcy a quick walk in the woods.

The first ascent of Mt. Marcy was made in 1837 and since then the mountain has served as a prime destination for winter and summer hikers alike. Although technically not the most challenging hike, be prepared to spend a majority of the day on the trail. Hiking back and forth in one day can be accomplished by following the seven mile Van Hoevenberg Trail on the north side; the shortest trail to the top, of about nine marked approaches from north, south, east and west.

At seven miles to the summit from the parking lot of the Adirondack Loj, which is a nine-mile drive from Lake Placid Village, the trail head is accessible and convenient. It’s Close enough to jump out of your car, put on your hiking shoes and get moving. Being a14-mile round trip, you must leave early in the day to make it to the top and back before sunset, although camping is available.

The first two miles of the Van Hoevenberg trail provides flat cruising on soft ground that enables you to pick up some good steam and get your breathing going that can enable you to catch a smooth rhythm. After two miles you come to the rest stop of all rest stops, Marcy Dam.

Marcy Dam is a small lake surrounded by mountains on all sides and feels like something out West. It serves as a place to take a dip, soak your feet or even camp out, as there are seven lean-tos in this area.

From here on, it’s all sweat and uphill tenacity to the top of Phelps Mountain which lies next to Marcy. So, basically on the Van Hoevenberg trail, you aren’t climbing Marcy from top to bottom, you’re climbing Mt. Phelps and then crossing over. There are trails that scale Marcy from top to bottom, but be prepared to make it a two-day event if you choose that route.

The trail up Mt. Phelps becomes jagged with pointy rocks that will force you to calculate a majority of your steps. The friction between foot and trail is enough to become a blister nightmare. There are different spaces of terrain that involve crossing a roaring brook and making sharp turns and twists and zags that rummage through various terrain, keeping things slightly interesting.

Climbing uphill for the next 3.5 to 4 miles is mostly within the trees without any views that are worth stopping for. It’s all about keeping the momentum going and imagining the rewarding views once you finally make it above the tree line.

Once you summit Mt. Phelps, the summit of Mt. Marcy proudly stares you in the face. From this point on, it’s all above tree line as hikers scale the rock face leading up to the summit. This is perhaps the most exciting and rewarding part of the hike as the summit is within sight, but yet you are exasperating every last inch of energy to reach the top.

After the long 7 miles are over, you can say you are on the highest peak in the state of New York. A view that extends into the Green Mountains of Vermont, south to the smaller Adirondack Mountains of New York, and northwest to the ski-jump structures used in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.

Mt. Marcy is a great day hike that tests your stamina, desire and conditioning. You need no technical climbing skills to accomplish it in the summer, so pick a clear – non-humid day and put yourself to the test.

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