The Winter High Peaks

(Insight & tips from guest blogger Spencer Morrissey)

Getting that “W” after your number sure is a big deal - we understand it is an amazing accomplishment. The High Peaks in winter can be very intimidating to some climbers who have limited or no winter experience, others may get a bit too confident in their perceived abilities. However, if you make the correct choices it shouldn’t be overwhelming and your chances of a safe climb, success, and fun increases exponentially. And as always, consider consulting/taking along a Licensed Adirondack Guide.

A great many of the High Peaks in winter are an imposing mission and maybe shouldn’t be your first winter peak. Many of the High Peaks will require 10-12 hours of time in the woods - being cold, maybe wet, and at times exhausted. Many are well over 12-miles during a single day. However, with any mountain in winter there are a few things to keep in mind before you go out: Am I equipped with the correct gear? How am I going to protect myself from the cold? Am I layered properly to stay warm (core, hands, feet, and head)? Do I have the proper nutrition? What’s the weather going to be like? Did I tell people where I was going? (the list honestly goes on and on!). But just as important, you should consider if you have the ability to tackle a High Peak or should get a couple smaller peaks under your belt first.

Know your limits

The only way to truly know your winter limits is to get out there and do a bit of snowshoeing. Not only that but you also have the chance to try out some new gear that maybe you have never used before, but this is also a good opportunity to see if you have your layering down. The best way to get ready for a High Peak is to do some hikes that are not quite so demanding, and work your way up from there. Maybe consider Noonmark, Hurricane, VanHoevenberg, Pitchoff, or Owls Head.

Great first High Peaks

Cascade and Porter Mountains are the most climbed of the High Peaks and quite often a person's first - it should be the same in winter. These peaks will get the ball rolling with a shorter hike, with steep sections, and a true above tree line feel and conditions. Phelps Mountain is a bit longer at just around 9-miles roundtrip. But it also is a bit more demanding at the end with very steep terrain. Wright Peak might test your limits for a first High Peak but it’s not out of reach for many first timers. The climb is long and steady with a large amount of time above tree line. The above tree line experience on this guy is unmatched with arctic conditions. Tabletop Mountain would be the perfect first “trailless” High Peak to start with. While the climb and hike are a bit longer than the others it gives you an idea of what the herd paths are like in the winter.

There are others that you might consider if you feel you're up to a slightly larger challenge like: Esther, Big Slide, Street and Nye, and Upper and Lower Wolf Jaw Mountains. Again these might be better 2nd or 3rd peaks as you build experience, get a grip on your abilities, and a handle on gear and layering.

Moving on up

Some serious long days will eventually come when you tackle Haystack, Basin, Saddleback, Gray and Skylight, Cliff and Redfield, the Santanoni’s, and Allen. With winter climbs like these it may be required to start before the sun is up and finish long after the sun has gone down, this is par for the course and your headlamp may very well become your best friend.

The good news is a typical winter High Peaks climb will burn you out of 3500-5000 calories in per day. That means - eat up and enjoy good food. Celebrate when you get out and have a worthy meal, your body needs it, and if you plan to go again the following day, your body will need that energy.

Please be sure to visit each page for the peaks you plan to climb. We have laid them out so that you have an idea of what the most popular winter routes are, what you can expect when you get there, a bit on your typical weather for your above tree line experience, typical trail conditions, special gear needed, and the estimated time to accomplish the climb. The important thing is to be safe while having fun, happy climbing!

Leave No Trace and Love Your ADK

The magic of the Adirondacks is the result of previous generations taking a long view and protecting the mountains, lakes, and rivers within the Blue Line. That tradition continues today as we support and encourage everyone to practice Leave No Trace ethics, which help protect the lands and waters of the Adirondacks.

Seven Principles of Leave No Trace

Results for "Winter High Peaks"

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Mount Skylight

Heart Lake, Lake Placid

(518) 523-2445

Mount Skylight is the fourth highest peak in New York state, and is a challenging hike not to be taken lightly.

Scott and Wallface ponds

1002 Adirondack Loj Rd, Lake Placid

(518) 523-2445

Hiking Route Description From the large parking area, walk back to the booth and cross the road to access the trail to Indian Pass. The well-used trail crosses several boardwalks and climbs moderately over rolling hills. With the High Peaks on both...

Cascade Mountain

Route 73, Lake Placid

(518) 837-5047

Cascade is generally considered to be the "easiest" of the 46 High Peaks, but that doesn't mean it's not a challenge! Sweeping views are only reached after ascending almost 2,000 feet...

MacNaughton Mountain

Adirondack Loj RdHeart Lake, Lake Placid

(518) 523-2445

MacNaughton or "MacNaughty" as it gets called so often is a very obscure hike to a 4000 footer that never made the 46 High Peaks, due to being shown as just under 4,000 feet on the 1903 era maps from which the original list was made. MacNaughton is a...

Little Cherrypatch Pond

State Route 86Lake Placid, Lake Placid

(518) 523-2445

Hiking Route Overview At the back of the parking area there is a herd path that leads to the shore of the pond. The path is easy enough to follow but not marked. There is minimal elevation change as you hike the roughly quarter mile. Trailhead From...

Mount Marshall

Lake Placid

Marshall's tree covered summit is less impressive than the wondrous trail which leads up to it. With numerous waterfalls along Herbert Brook, and great views of the Flowed Lands, you will not be lacking for photographic opportunities.

Cliff Mountain

Adirondak Loj Rd, Lake Placid

(518) 523-2445

Cliff Mountain is one of the most challenging High Peaks. While the views are decent along the climb, the approach to the climb is very demanding.

Mountain Pass Lodge Hiking Center

31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid

The new hiking center at the Mountain Pass Lodge at Mount Van Hoevenberg provides hikers with the opportunity to regroup before or after a hike, and use front country amenities before heading off on the trail.

Henry's Woods

Bear Cub Lane, Lake Placid

(518) 523-3061

Henry’s Woods, which is owned and maintained by the Uihlein Foundation, is a community preserve located just outside the village of Lake Placid. The caretakers of this beautiful property and the Uihlein Foundation invite the public to use these trails.

Phelps Mountain

Adirondak Loj Rd, Lake Placid

(518) 523-2445

Hiking Phelps Mountain is the 32nd highest peak in the Adirondacks. Phelps can be found east of Marcy Dam and north of Mount Marcy. Resting in the heart of the High Peaks Wilderness Area it boasts some of the best views in the park. The hike starts...

Whiteface Landing

Off Route 86, Lake Placid

(518) 523-2445

Hiking It's a 2.5 mile hike one way to Whiteface Landing. The trail starts at the left side of the trailhead parking area and soon climbs moderately away from the pond and the private camps on the pond before descending to the shore of the pond at 0.4...

Algonquin Peak

Adirondak Loj Rd, Lake Placid

(518) 523-3441 ext.121

Algonquin Peak is the second highest mountain in New York state, and the hike up it should not be taken lightly.

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The Winter High Peaks

Know your limits

Great first High Peaks

Moving on up

Leave No Trace and Love Your ADK

Results for "Winter High Peaks"

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