Region
Highlights
- Henry Van Hoevenberg named this peak for his fiancee Josephine, who tragically died within a year and never saw their home, Adirondack Lodge, completed. Lake Placid Club and Adirondack Mountain Club have owned it successively. Today the complex is the Adirondack Loj, from which numerous High Peaks climbs originate, as well as the popular little peak called Mt. Jo.
- The Long Trail and Short Trail make for an interesting loop.
Routes
/-73.9671699046921,44.1893516965162,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
44 summits • 2.9 mi • 873 ft gain • 1 hr 57 min
/-73.9671699046921,44.1893516965162,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
4 summits • 5.7 mi • 919 ft gain • 3 hr 29 min
/-73.9671699046921,44.1893516965162,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
3 summits • 2.3 mi • 614 ft gain • 2 hr 12 min
/-73.9671699046921,44.1893516965162,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
2 summits • 1.9 mi • 656 ft gain • 1 hr 41 min
/-73.9671699046921,44.1893516965162,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
2 summits • 2.8 mi • 747 ft gain • 2 hr 6 min
/-73.9671699046921,44.1893516965162,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 13.5 mi • 5,092 ft gain • 6 hr 39 min
Latest summits

"Was really hoping to see peak foliage but disappointed to miss it by a week or so. There were still some tinges of color and such a beautiful Fall day, so not all was lost and a gorgeous bluebird day in the High Peaks Region. My first time hiking in five months, this has been an extremely busy year outside mountains so it was nice to be back. I began the morning with a quick trip up Mount Jo and then followed that up with Mount Van Hoevenberg via the East Trail which I hadn’t yet tried as I normally take the Meadow Lane approach. ⛰🍁 🍂" — scottturner • Oct 16, 2022

"We walked with snow shoes on the way up, and microspikes on the way down. Could have been microspikes the whole way! Plenty of pictures of ice on large rocks, great clear view at the top with minimal wind." — mikebenjamin • Feb 26, 2022

"Headed out of Lake Placid decided to knock off another LP9 for good measure. We hiked Big Slide the day before for #46Climbs and I tacked this one on as well. Bailey pup and I took the steep route up and the longer trail back to make the loop. It poured the evening before, so parts of the trail were wet and at one point on the way down, we were hiking down a stream. All in all a great hike and another LP9 down...More importantly, another hike in memory of 2 amazing hiking partners who wanted to hike this with me. One was my mom who passed June 1, 2016 from cancer and then my unbiological lil bro who took his own life a year ago in 2020. Fly high guys. " — Mousetek • Sep 9, 2021

"After hiking Big Crow Tom, Black and I arrived at the ADK LOJ. For anyone who hasn't been there in a while they jacked the price for parking to $15. Trail up Jo was in good shape. DEC mandates that you where snowshoes and it was signed and a ranger was present. Short but fairly steep hike. Bluebird day and views of the high peaks were great! " — garyogden • Mar 7, 2021

"A bluebird day overlooking the high peaks and barely any wind today. First hike in 2021 and 42 days since my last (life is busy, feels isolated at times due to COVID, and schedules don’t always meet others to get out). This was Jen’s first time up Mount Jo and she really enjoyed it. We spent longer on the summit than it actually took to ascend after getting a late morning start today and wanted to stretch our legs. Here is hoping you all are finding happiness, whatever that may be in 2021. " — scottturner • Jan 10, 2021

"With Christian and Bruno, a last hike before going back home. We took the loop (long trail at first, coming back via short trail). Fantastic view of the High Peaks. Around zero celcius on the summit, no wind. " — hiking-Brigitte • Mar 13, 2019

"Really great day climbing #7 of my LP9er challenge Mt. Jo With Matt Topgun Peacock,, Weather was perfect for a climb with light clouds and no wind,, Trails were well packed and great condition,, Micro spikes all the way to the summit which offered amazing views for such a smaller peak,, Well worth the climb and highly recommend. Enjoy" — ramjet1963 • Feb 23, 2019

"This is what I wrote on facebook that day:
A Christmas day hike up Mt. Jo! It was so beautiful, with not a cloud in the sky. I was the first person to summit today so the trails were covered with sparkly fluffy unbroken snow. Which made it a bit hard to know if I was still on the trail at times. It's about a 2 mile loop, shorter/steeper trail up and longer/less steep trail down and peaks at 2868'. I wore my snowshoes on the way up, which may have been a mistake but was a fun challenge and did help with some of the climbing over snow/ice covered rocks. I had to go really slowly though.
At the top, there are 3 sets of ladder-like stairs to climb up and the view was amazing - you could see many of the surrounding high peaks. I traded out my snowshoes for boots with yak traks for the way down (spikes would have been much better) to make it easier to get down the stairs. I met a couple of people as I was heading down who had just come up the long trail so following their footsteps back made it much easier to know where the trail was for the descent.This trail was quite a bit easier but slippery with ice in a lot of places.
I'm not ready to take on the high peaks to become a 46er ..." — kvander • Dec 25, 2018

"This was October, but had a winter feel. The road to Heart Lake center was icy. On a weekday there was no one else there, seriously like one or 2 other cars. It was cold and a bit icy, but I carried the microspikes. At the top there is a nice view of Marcy, and I think Colden in front of it. That's Street and Nye in my other picture. It was sunny and calm at the top. I took my jacket off and had lunch. Got a chill on the way down. This is a short easy hike. " — bethmorgan • Oct 18, 2018
"Started off the day with a hike in the woods because of low cloud cover. Then as the cloud cover lifted, I went over and started on the Lake Placid 9er. Hiked up Cobble Hill. Nice view overlooking Lake Placid. I then drove over and did Mt Jo. Some really nice views up there looking at the High Peaks. I took my time up there before heading back down. " — newenglandwarrior • Oct 12, 2018