Mount Redfield

  • Adirondak Loj Rd, Lake Placid
  • info@lakeplacid.com

Hike Features

Summit, Waterfall

Redfield was named for Professor William C. Redfield: meteorologist, organizer of, and participant in, the first recorded ascent of Mount Marcy. This High Peak is trailless so use of map/compass is required.

How to get there

There are two ways to access this mountain:

Upper Works: Our friends at Open Space Institute have announced that effective June 18, 2021, please use the new parking lot adjacent to the MacNaughton Cottage. The old parking lot (terminus of Upper Works Road) will be closed. Unauthorized vehicles in the old parking lot after June 18, 2021 will be towed away at vehicle owner's expense. Signage has been placed throughout the old parking lot. They, and we, do not want any surprises for anyone. Thank you and Happy trails! This new parking will not add significant mileage to your trip.

Adirondack Loj Trailhead: Leave Lake Placid on Route 73, follow Route 73 toward Keene. Continue for about 3 miles to Adirondack Loj Road on the right. Follow Adirondack Loj Road to its end at Heart Lake and park in the main parking lot. Small parking fees will be required ($12 as of 2020).

By the numbers

  • Elevation: 4,606 feet
  • Redfield is High Peak #15
  • Distance: from Upper Works, 18-miles round trip
  • Ascent: 3,225 feet
  • Be prepared and practice Leave No Trace principles 

Hiking

Mount Redfield is often climbed with Cliff Mountain, and is a much more pleasant ascent with a good summit view as a reward. Below is a brief description of the shortest approach via Lake Arnold. Redfield can also be approached via Lake Colden or from the south via Flowed Lands.

This is an approximate 9-mile hike, one way. From the Loj follow hikers approach the trail to the High Peaks that leads to Marcy Dam. From Marcy Dam you will need to follow the trail to Avalanche Pass. You will pass by Avalanche Camps, where you begin to climb. Take a left and head toward Lake Arnold. You will climb steeply up the shoulder of Mount Colden and eventually be at Lake Arnold. At Lake Arnold you will stay left and continue to climb to the top of the pass and descend for a bit into the valley. After a sometimes wet hike through the valley over log bridges and around beaver activity you will pass by Feldspar Lean-to. 0.1 miles past the lean-to is a major T-intersection. Left leads up to Four-Corners, south of Mount Marcy. Right leads to Uphill, the start of the herd-path.

Heading right you will have a moderate, but often wet hike to the Uphill Lean-to. The herd-path is directly across the trail from the lean-to, marked by a cairn. This herd-path is also the start of the Cliff Route. The Redfield route is the main one and continues straight after the Cliff turn-off. From here you will hike along a gorgeous brook and at times in it. Be sure to take time to look back every now and then to enjoy the views as they open up. There are many attractive small waterfalls along the way as well. The summit of Redfield is a large boulder, offering nice views.

Snowshoeing

Do not attempt to cross Flowed Lands unless the conditions warrant. The herd path is tough to follow in areas if the route has not been broken out. Moving water in the brook can be hazardous and not allow ice to get thick; you could break through if not careful. Tread lightly. The summit is very good in the winter, with outstanding views as you stand atop many feet of snow.