Region
Highlights
- Mount Marcy is the highest peak in the Adirondacks and all of New York state.
- Lies in the heart of the Adirondack High Peaks Region of the High Peaks Wilderness Area.
- A very popular summit due to its stature and great views.
- Majority of the mountain is forested, although the final few hundred feet is above tree line. The summit is dominated by rocky outcrops, lichens, and alpine shrubs.
- The shortest and most frequently used route up the mountain is from the northwest, the Van Hoevenberg Trail, which starts at the Adirondak Loj near Heart Lake. From there it is 7.4 miles to the summit, a lengthy roundtrip often attempted in a long day.
- A large section of the trail is suitable for backcountry skiing.
- Lake Tear of the Clouds, at the col between Mount Marcy and Skylight, is the source of the Hudson River.
Routes
/-73.9235836557,44.112715074,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
108 summits • 17.2 mi • 3,270 ft gain • 8 hr 46 min • Class 1
/-73.9235836557,44.112715074,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
14 summits • 20.5 mi • 5,527 ft gain • 14 hr 19 min
/-73.9235836557,44.112715074,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
10 summits • 18.0 mi • 5,174 ft gain • 12 hr 10 min
/-73.9235836557,44.112715074,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 12.6 mi • 2,690 ft gain • 9 hr 47 min
/-73.9235836557,44.112715074,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 17.2 mi • 4,335 ft gain • 10 hr 13 min
/-73.9235836557,44.112715074,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 18.7 mi • 4,274 ft gain • 12 hr 10 min
/-73.9235836557,44.112715074,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 19.2 mi • 4,996 ft gain • 8 hr 47 min
/-73.9235836557,44.112715074,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 3.7 mi • 2,035 ft gain • 3 hr 40 min
/-73.9235836557,44.112715074,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 6.0 mi • 2,425 ft gain • 7 hr 7 min
Latest summits

"An incredible hike with friends for Meenu's 46. Meenu, Jeff, Sheley, Des, Roc, Mike and I headed out at just before 6 am, a little later than planned. We started at a good pace in the dark, wearing our spikes although there was no snow at the bottom - but it was only about 12 degrees so ice was inevitable. We made it to Marcy Dam in a little under an hour and shortly after it was getting light. And when the sun came up, it was a beautiful clear day - we couldn't have gotten luckier. It was a long trip up with various minor disasters, lots of ice and increasing snow, but everyone hung in there. The last little while some of us got a little angry at how far the summit still was "they should plant trees here so you can't see it and how far it is", and all the promises of "just 20 more minutes". We summitted at about 5 hours in, around 11 am. It was an emotional and wonderful moment as Meenu got to her 46th summit. We met some women who took our picture and cheered us on. Everyone refueled with a sandwich and then we took a celebratory shot of either Cafe Patron or Fireball, which warmed us up a bit and gave a little kick for the descent. The way down was faster in some spots (butt sli..." — kvander • Oct 31, 2020

"Hiked with Gray Peak (first) and Skylight (second) for #21, 22 & 23 of the high peaks - halfway there! Beautiful summit views ALL to myself- didn't share with anyone. Trails had some other travelers on it, but not a lot - never crowded and I was never on the summit at the same time with people going different directions, me passing a few folks, or folks going to different peaks all together. 20 miles and tough - but as bad as it might seem; it's the Adirondacks. By mile 11.5 heading up Marcy, between the wind & running out of water until I could descend the other side, I was starting to feel it, but it was amazing & I made it. About 11 hours hike time and I stopped for over 2 hours at the summits (why not when hiking this much and this hard right!?). Take the scenic route around Avalanche Lake - you won't regret it. Makes the hike enjoyable and beautiful the WHOLE way and honestly is not that hard - just the steep climbs at the ends to each summit. Bring lots of water (my bladder had leaked before I hit the trail and I didn't refill it enough, but it was fine - I got water coming down the other way. Also loved that this loop hike gave me a chance to see Marcy from both sides hiking..." — ionahraqs • Sep 5, 2020

"Becca and I bounded up Marcy first thing in the morning, followed shortly by Max and Shannon. Then I bounded back down and hiked out to Upper Works, while Becca continued her planned peaks for the day." — mikebenjamin • Aug 15, 2020

"Started at 7:10am. Summited in complete cloud cover (w/ 50-60 mph winds) at 12:30pm. Returned to Loj parking lot at around 6pm. Long, wet, gloomy on the way up. Clouds cleared up on the way down and sun came out. " — Jaando • Aug 3, 2020
"Three knuckleheads tried to do a loop of Gray, Skylight and Marcy in a high water situation do to recent rains and snow melt. Almost every trail was a stream including the Skylight spur. Tedious day of boulder hopping with wet feet practically the whole day. Fortunately we got splendid views from both Marcy and Skylight which was great for the two knuckleheads who did these for the first time. Left Loj PA at 7am and returned close to 7:30 pm. We bailed on Gray, our first peak, as it was it was already afternoon and we still had the other two peaks to do and we had to do Marcy in order to get back to our car." — Nimblefoot • Oct 23, 2019
"The day started relatively early. I was at the Adirondak Lodge parking lot close to 8 am in the morning. There were several parking spaces available. The weather was partly cloudy and the temperature was in the low to mid 20C's. The trails were in good condition and there were some typical muddy sections throughout the trip. I was able to meet a pretty nice hiker from Connecticut and we went up for the most part together. It was cloudy at the top but the view was amazing. We didn't see any bears on the way up. It is great to see mountain guides at the dam washout area and also on the peak. They were encouraging hikers and trekkers to walk on the trail and not disturb the brush and moss on the peak. It took approximately 9 hours for me to complete the trek. I ran out of water on the way down and some US trekkers shared their water filter with me so I could get some water from the river. Overall, I really enjoyed it and the view from the top is amazing! " — BillKeay • Aug 12, 2019

"Great to get to the top. Good last hour of incline. Had also done Gray and Skylight, so energy low for trip back. Did all three in 11.5hrs w/o too many breaks. Beautiful weather ." — suzannerunciman • Aug 11, 2019

"As part of a 16 or 17 state highpoint blitz of the Northeast this August while working remotely 8 hrs a day from various Starbucks.
After a casual few hours off after Mansfield on Saturday, I rode a nice small ferry across Lake Champlain at sunset (beautiful) and arrived at trailhead at 10pm and it was a circus. People heading out, people arriving, people sleeping in cars. I talked to a couple who were part of a FKT with runner still out in the dark. A quick 6 hr sleep and I was up at 5:30am and off by 5:45am with a photo of the map and no headlamp but light appearing. Turned out the trail was easy to follow and I ran into my first people at the Macy Dam (a family just starting from camping towards Marcy) and a pair of guys looking at their map. I was moving with "Rockies" speed and feeling good. I passed a pair of guys descending just before I turned to head up the ridge. They said it was sh*t cold on the summit. I saw some cloud/fog (as usual on this trip) but wasn't worried. Turned out it was warmer than Mansfield and no rain but windy and blew my phone out of my hand as I was taking the summit selfie. 2h 40m up and I was on my way back as I had a 11 hr drive to Sault Ste Mar..." — alexjoseph • Aug 11, 2019

"What an EPIC Day! With three w46er Mountain summits climbed, Grey Peak, Skylight and Mount Marcy
highest point of New York State. 18 miles covered with Matt Topgun Peacock. Snowshoes most of the way, good pack trails, Started around 7:30 am till 8:30pm, out in the dark and totally exhusted but we did it! It was steak for dinner tonight! Enjoy" — ramjet1963 • Mar 9, 2019

"Hiked Mt Marcy with Makenna S. on a Wednesday. This was my third time up Mt. Marcy, but it had been 26 years since the last one, and it was Makenna's first time. I let her lead to set the pace. Left Adirondak Loj/Heart Lake at 08:00. Conditions at trailhead were 50's, calm and partly overcast. Made a couple water stops on the way up, and a couple stops to admire the views at Marcy Dam and Phelps Brook. Stopped for a snack at Indian Falls Overlook, which had a nice view of Wright Peak and Algonquin, though the peak of Algonquin was shrouded in clouds. Continued on, hitting clouds around the start of the alpine vegetation zone, and the wind started picking up. From that point on, there wasn't much visibility except for brief breaks in the cloud cover. The lack of visibility made it hard to judge how much remained. Reached the summit at 13:55 with zero visibility past the summit. Peak Steward said he measured the wind at 53mph. Temp was in the low 40s - good thing we brought jackets for the top.
Ate lunch at the summit then headed back down the trail we came on. It started raining within about 30 minutes after leaving the summit, then rained most of the way back down unt..." — Matt-Sz • Jun 27, 2018