Region
Highlights
- Porter Mountain is one of the Adirondack High Peaks in Adirondack Park.
- Somewhat overshadowed by its higher and more popular neighbor, Cascade Mountain, with which it is often climbed, Porter is nevertheless rewarding.
- While it lacks the pseudo-alpine open summit of Cascade, there are nevertheless wide views available from the summit, particularly of the Johns Brook Valley to the east (which Porter blocks from Cascade); it is often less crowded than Cascade.
- A yellow-blazed trail leaves the trail to Cascade about 0.5 mile short of that mountain's summit and leads down into the col between the two peaks about 1 mile to Porter's summit.
- It is also possible to follow this trail from its other terminus, over neighboring Blueberry Mountain from Keene Valley, although that involves a greater vertical ascent and a longer trip.
- Porter's summit does have a great view, but not as good as its neighbor cascade.
Routes
50 climbs • 5.6 mi • 2,273 ft gain • 4 hr 24 min
45 climbs • 5.4 mi • 2,292 ft gain • 4 hr 16 min
40 climbs • 5.5 mi • 2,392 ft gain • 5 hr 36 min
7 climbs • 5.7 mi • 1,708 ft gain • 4 hr 11 min
Latest climbs
"Hiked up Porter Mountain from Marcy Field today. The first portion of the trail up to Blueberry Mt. was surprisingly steep and somewhat of a slog, but there was a beautiful view of Giant, Pitchoff, and into Keene Valley from the 2nd peak past the summit of Blueberry. From there, the trail dips into a thick swamp where the trail is full of running water. I nicknamed this the "Quagmire" and I had to use trees to swing around the water. After that, the trail becomes challenging to follow as it steeply ascends East Porter. It became a never-ending muddy mess of roots and blowdowns. The mud I was expecting, but the blowdowns were quite bad. Since the trail is so lightly used, I was surprised to see that the trail was a streambed, much like the heavily eroded herd paths in the Seward and Santanoni ranges. After I reached the top of this, I was greeted by a nice forest path that led over the nondescript summit of East Porter, and along the wooded ridge. This trail had much nicer tread, and was mostly duff instead of mud. It continues like this for over a mile, before reaching an overlook that provides an interesting vantage point across Walton Basin to Cascade, with Porter rising on the l..." — elimihuta • May 26, 2025
"Trail up isn't too hard. It's well broken out for both peaks. Porter is very easy but as soon as I got to the exposed summit cone of Cascade I was belted by 70 MPH winds that forced me to leave the summit quickly. Used a mix of spikes and bare boots. Brought my snowshoes with me though because you have to have them." — elimihuta • Mar 1, 2025
"5.85 miles. Pretty chill, moderate climb. A bit muddy. Wind at the top of cascade was pretty gnarly, been on some windy summits but this was pretty good, a humbling wind... Did not see many people, a handful at best. Glad I picked a raw and windy November day to cross these two off the 46. Can feel like you're in the city sometimes when trails are busy, and it slows me down. Took a moment to reflect on how I found out about the Adirondacks, and what brought me there for the first time 2 years ago. Beautiful place. " — ryangallant • Nov 8, 2024
"Birding outing with Aaron with summits of Cascade and Porter. Took the very muddy trail from Cascade to Porter and back to listen for Bicknell’s Thrush, but came back empty handed. " — sergeypavlov • Jul 28, 2024
"Didn't take any photos worth posting on the trail to Porter. No view from the peak as it's covered but definitely makes you work to get there. Do this hike first, then hit Cascade as they share the same trail. Trust me, it's worth it" — Meiners • Jun 22, 2023
"Last trip to the ADK with Tahoe, so we did short hikes morning and afternoon. We decided to head up Cascade and add Porter since the kids were 5 and 6 last time we did Cascade. It was a stunning day, and fun to hike up Cascade with the girls again. Amazing to think how their little legs tackled the rocks last time! " — kitandtrapperj • Apr 13, 2023
"Tom and I left the car at 7am @ 10 degrees under clear skies. We wanted to hike Porter and Cascade again to get our winter credit. After last week's 2' storm the trail conditions were perfect. Trails were all broke out as expected. Summited Porter at 9:20. Off to Cascade. " — garyogden • Dec 21, 2022
"A failed attempt to climb Little Porter ( because of a trail closure) turned into summiting Porter & Cascade. Not a bad consolation prize. Out and back mileage was 8.1 miles from RT. 73 & took 4 hrs. & 50 min. to complete.
" — billsussdorff • Oct 20, 2022
"Back again to the mountains we went, chilly morning, bright sun, and snow! ❤️☀️❄️
Porter Mountain and Cascade Mountain
Pretty easy hike up two high peaks, lots and lots of mud! The snow and ice melted off the trees feeling like rain, it was beautiful, and a fun day in the mountains.
41 high peaks left to hike for my ADK 46er challenge! ❤️🥾🏔" — Littlefoot • Sep 24, 2022
"Priceless! Spending first day of holidays hiking on some old friends with inspired to be a 46er Corny Connie in Lake Placid climbing 46er Cascade 4098ft and Porter 4059ft Mountains with a reluctant throw in, Baxter Mountain @2440ft. Great day in the mountains with inspired friends doing what we love" — ramjet1963 • Jul 16, 2022
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.