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
44 climbs • 2.5 mi • 873 ft gain • 1 hr 57 min
4 climbs • 5.2 mi • 919 ft gain • 3 hr 29 min
3 climbs • 1.9 mi • 614 ft gain • 2 hr 12 min
2 climbs • 1.6 mi • 656 ft gain • 1 hr 41 min
2 climbs • 2.3 mi • 747 ft gain • 2 hr 6 min
2 climbs • 3.0 mi • 663 ft gain • 2 hr 15 min
Latest climbs
"A last minute decision after a day of volunteering with the 46ers to scoot up mount jo for some late fall views, unfortunately it was cloudy so summit views were limited but still a great day to be in the mountains, short and sweet up and the long trail on the way back" — ramjet1963 • Oct 9, 2024
"Started at about 7:30 in Cascade Pass. The trail up Pitchoff isn't strenuous and is pretty straightforward, besides the swing out to the beautiful view from the Balanced Boulders. No views from Pitchoff's summit, but great views of Cascade Mountain, Hurricane Mountain, Mount Colden, and Mount Marcy from the ridge. Scrambles on the ridge were moist and extremely slippery. One bad downclimb before you reach East Pitchoff, which has a wonderful view into Keene Valley. Trail down is nothing special. Steep, rocky, and ugly. Decided to hike Mount Jo and was lucky enough to get a spot at 12:30. The Short Trail is somewhat steep but great trail work that gets you to the stunning vista of the MacIntyre Mountains, Street Mountains, Mount Marcy, Table Top Mountain, and Phelps Mountain. The Long Trail down is much prettier and gentler and we enjoyed this route to get back to the trailhead." — elimihuta • Sep 14, 2024
"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
"Two trails ascend to the summit....long and short trails. We opted for the short trail as we wanted to do another mountain or two on this day. Steep and rocky, but short. Near the summit, we ran into a party who went up early to take wedding photos. The couple changed from hiking attire to wedding attire on the summit." — TJandMS • Sep 9, 2020
"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
Photos
Awards
Challenges
About peakery awards
Log climbs on peakery to earn awards:
Peak Badges: Earn a special badge for each unique peak you summit. See all of your badges on your Badges page.
First Ascent Award: Only 1 available per peak. Goes to the first peakery member to log a successful summit of a peak. Snag this award and the peak will forever bear your name.
King of the Mountain Award: Only 1 available per peak. Summit a peak more times than any other member. Beware: this award can be lost!
Summit Steward: Summit a peak at least 5 times to become one of its Summit Stewards. As Steward of a peak, you’re encouraged to keep that peak’s info up-to-date on peakery and spread goodwill on your future climbs up the peak.