Lake Tear of the Clouds

  • Lake Placid
A view of an interesting rock formation in front of a small mountain pond.

On the southwest slope of Mount Marcy sits Lake Tear of the Clouds. It's famous for many reasons, including its role in a presidency. 

On September 14, 1901, then-US Vice President Teddy Roosevelt was at Lake Tear of the Clouds after returning from a hike to Mount Marcy. While there, he received a message informing him that President William McKinley had taken a turn for the worse after being shot two weeks earlier. McKinley was originally expected to survive the gunshot. Roosevelt hiked from Lake Tear of the Clouds back down to Tahawus where he began his infamous 40-mile midnight stage coach ride to the railroad station in North Creek. It was in North Creek that Roosevelt learned McKinley had died and on the train to Buffalo, Roosevelt was sworn in as President.

Lake Tear of the Clouds is also cited as the source of the Hudson River, which begins its 315-mile journey to New York City in the Adirondack Mountains.

Getting there

Leave Lake Placid on Route 73 and follow toward Keene. Continue for about 3 miles to Adirondack Loj Road on the right. Follow Adirondack Loj Road to its end at Heart Lake. A parking fee is required.

Hiking

Reaching Lake Tear of the Clouds will require summiting a High Peak, Mount Marcy, the tallest mountain in New York. 

This route requires hikers climb Mount Marcy. Please consult a map and guidebook for information on how to access Mount Marcy. From the summit of Marcy, you will descend off the south side toward Four Corners and go over Schofield Cobble. The descent is fast and somewhat steep. It is 0.8 miles to the intersection.

Distance: 7.4 miles to the summit of Marcy, then 0.8 miles to Four Corners, then 0.25 miles to Lake Tear of the Clouds. Total: 8.5 miles, one way

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