Region
Highlights
- Wright Peak is in the High Peaks of the Adirondack Park of New York and the northernmost peak in the MacIntyre Range.
- Known to have one of the windiest summits in the park.
- The usual approach to Wright Peak is from the Adirondak Loj up the Van Hovenberg Trail to the steep MacIntyre Range Trail to the junction for Algonquin Peak; a left turn takes the climber up the last few hundred feet of elevation through the alpine zone.
- Wright is often hiked in conjunction with Algonquin and sometimes Iroquois Peak by pursuers of the ADK 46ers challenge. Many of these pursuers search for B 47 bomber wreckage and the bronze plaque just north of the summit, which memorializes the four airmen who lost their lives in the crash.
- Backcountry skiing is popular on Wright Peak.
- There are long slides from the summit that lead to Marcy Dam and are often skied in winter.
- Also, the Wright Peak Ski Trail, cut by the CCC in the 1930s, descends the northeast side of the peak in a series of switchbacks.
Routes
/-73.9795676692,44.1516119285,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
76 summits • 10.8 mi • 4,177 ft gain • 7 hr 54 min
/-73.9795676692,44.1516119285,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
28 summits • 10.6 mi • 4,373 ft gain • 8 hr 52 min
/-73.9795676692,44.1516119285,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
3 summits • 7.9 mi • 2,528 ft gain • 6 hr 54 min
/-73.9795676692,44.1516119285,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
2 summits • 10.6 mi • 4,127 ft gain • 10 hr 13 min
/-73.9795676692,44.1516119285,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 13.5 mi • 5,092 ft gain • 6 hr 39 min
/-73.9795676692,44.1516119285,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 7.6 mi • 2,534 ft gain • 5 hr 56 min
/-73.9795676692,44.1516119285,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 8.4 mi • 5,589 ft gain • 5 hr 58 min
/-73.9795676692,44.1516119285,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 8.4 mi • 2,333 ft gain • 6 hr 22 min
Latest summits
"Loop hike out of the ADK Loj through Avalanche pass and back via the Algonquin trail tagging the last three peaks of Tom’s 46r quest. On top of Iroquois the low cloud bank cleared giving us great views which we enjoyed for the rest of the day. There was some wInd, quite gusty at times, giving Tom and Kathryn a good taste of mountain weather and a new perspective of extreme conditions. At least half the folks attempting Wright failed, got turned back at tree line, do to the strong gusts. Donated an Ex-Officio sun shirt to Iroquois when the main compartment of my pack got unzipped and it blew out in the ~40 mph gusts. " — Nimblefoot • Sep 7, 2020

"Hike with Meenu and Mike, total time of 10 hrs 5 minutes and 11.22 miles. We stayed the night before in Lake Placid and it was so nice not to do the 2 am drive. We started the hike at 6 am from Adirondack Loj. The trail seemed to start going up right away for this one. It seemed to take a while to get to the junction to go to Wright. It took about 2 ½ hours to get from the trailhead to the summit of Wright and the view up there was amazing on this beautiful day. It was a warm one so we were definitely sweating, but the breeze felt so good at the top. There was a steward up there and he told us some interesting things and answered some questions. We ate some snacks and rested then headed back down to the junction and over to Algonquin. This was a tough but interesting climb. A few boulders to take on. The last part to the summit seemed to go on and on – it had looked so close from Wright! Another just fabulous view on this 2nd highest peak, and I was now oriented to where Colden and Marcy were so I could easily identify them. There was another steward up here and we asked about whether we wanted to do the longer loop trail or go to Iroquois and come back the same way, over Algonquin..." — kvander • Jul 10, 2020

"On October we had set out to do Algonquin, Iroquois and Wright. Unfortunately, parking and logistic allowed us only to do the first 2.
Today we did Wright and advanced to 41 on list. What a fantastic day it was. We wanted to go on Saturday but the weather was too cold. So today was perfect.
It was quite windy at the top but still what a great view. This is one peak that I would do again in the winter. Not too hard with a beautiful reward at the top.
Looks like we now have 5 left for next year. This will be our last High peak for 2019.
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/wright-peak-via-van-hoevenberg-trail--163" — CPaquin • Nov 17, 2019

"Halloween themed hike with my hubby Dave. Full trip included Algonquin, Boundary, Iroquois, and Wright Peak. The morning was pretty socked in but we were lucky to get a view on each peak during our return trip :)" — pandyabear • Oct 26, 2019

"Great day with Matt Topgun Peacock on our w46er climb to Wright Peak,, Day with light clouds then sunny periods and light winds made for an incredable climb to the summit offering amazing views of the ADK Park,, with Algonquin and Colden as well as Mount Marcy in the background,,, Amazing day with friends doing what we love!" — ramjet1963 • Feb 23, 2019
"Today looked like a Presi day. So I decided to finally get my views on Algonquin and Iroquois that I missed out on the last time. Parked at the ADK Loj and went up Wright first. No wind on the summit. Then I made the steep ascent of Algonquin. Beautiful views. Then over to Iroquois. The 1.1 miles went by quickly here. I felt like I was far into the wilderness on this summit. Then I headed back. Made quick work going between Algonquin and Wright, including some butt sledding." — newenglandwarrior • Jan 5, 2019

"Climbed up to the ridge from Lake Colden and made the traverse across the Macintyres. Summitting Boundary, Iroquois, Algonquin and Wright and taking in the gorgeous views all along the way. " — Right-On • Jun 16, 2018

"One of my most enjoyable hikes so far. Perfect conditions, hardly anyone around, no insects. Took my time and just enjoyed the journey. Reaching the top of Wright and spending some time at the summit out of the wind was lovely. Was very pleased to have enough energy to tackle Algonquin as well and this felt like a real achievement. Will have to head back up at some point to bag Iroquois! " — rhinteractive • May 8, 2018

"Très belle journée avec Mélanie. Nous avons fais un bon 22km avec Wright, Algonquin, Bouandry et Iroquois. Le retour c'est fait par Avanche Pass. Beaucoup de glace pour monter. Les crampons furent nécessaire. Très boueux en descendant. " — fsoucy76 • Nov 4, 2017

"I actually had no intention of doing Wright today, but as I came down from Algonquin with another gentleman, we decided to do it despite the day getting on and my overwhelming fatigue already. My only wish is that I'd had time to look for the wreckage. Also my camera died, but my hiking companion took a pic and said he'd send it to me." — MarkEarle67 • Aug 14, 2017