Mt. Marcy Summit Trail
Elevation
Ascent:
834'
254 m
Descent: 0' 0 m
High: 5,216' 1,590 m
Low: 4,382' 1,336 m
Grade
Avg Grade: 22% (13°)
Max Grade: 42% (23°)
Weather
Popular hikes nearby
Gray Peak, Mount Skylight, & Mount Marcy via Avalanche Pass
14.8 mi 23.8 km • Point to Point • 4,069 ft Ascent 1240.22 m Ascent
Lower Wolfjaw Mountain
9.8 mi 15.8 km • Loop • 2,799 ft Ascent 853.04 m Ascent
Adirondack Great Range
21.0 mi 33.8 km • Point to Point • 7,334 ft Ascent 2235.5 m Ascent
Haystack Mountain via Jackrabbit Ski and North Haystack Trails
5.6 mi 9.0 km • Out and Back • 1,004 ft Ascent 305.92 m Ascent
McKenzie Mountain & Haystack Mountain
11.9 mi 19.1 km • Loop • 3,811 ft Ascent 1161.56 m Ascent
Floodwood Loop Trail
7.2 mi 11.6 km • Loop • 208 ft Ascent 63.4 m Ascent
Navigate on-trail with our free app
“Ascend or descend the summit of Mt. Marcy on a classic High Peaks trail.”
— Mikhaila Redovian
Features
Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife
Description
Starting from the Four Corners intersection with the Calamity Brook Trail, Elk Lake to Mount Marcy Trail, and the Mount Skylight Trail, you'll quickly gain elevation. Like most trails in the area, there will be a few boggy spots where the trail traverses flat portions. Muddy boots are a must, unless you happen to be visiting during an especially dry year. The beginning of the trail is heavily forested, and there are plenty of small pines that line the trail.
As you continue on your way to the summit, you'll come across a variety of rock slabs, many of them wet, that must be navigated. These portions are steep, tricky, and can play with the head of even the most intrepid hiker. The going will likely be slow as finding the best way to negotiate tricky sections will take some time. As you gain elevation on the steep trail some amazing views will begin to open as the trees thin out. Eventually, you'll be completely clear of trees on a final, huge rock slab. Try to look ahead to the next cairn to keep going in a logical direction as the rock slab more or less masks a clear trail. The slab is fairly steep, but you can hike right up it if you stick to a good path.
However, once you reach the mostly bald summit of Mount Marcy, your arduous journey will be well worthwhile. Just make sure to dress in layers! Even when it's a bit muggy lower down, the summit of Marcy sees brisk winds.
Hiked this trail?
We need help with the following missing trail information:
Family Friendly, ADA Accessible, Need to Know, Dogs Allowed, Flora & Fauna
Contacts
Land Manager: NY Dept of Environmental Conservation
0 Comments