Suggestions for starting your Adk 46!

My first High Peak was Colvin, but not because I chose it to be, it was more like we came upon it. I was hiking with my father and mother up and over Indian Head and Fish Hawk Cliffs when I saw the sign for Colvin. I remember saying, “I think that’s one of the highest peaks, want to go? It’s not too far away,” so we did. We summited in a thick fog, very surprised at how it wasn’t “just right there,” but we were hooked. Since becoming a 46er, I have revisited all the peaks, either of my own accord, hiking with others as they complete their list, or by guiding. During my bout of working in outdoor retail I got many questions from visitors about the peaks, and particularly about which peaks to start at. Here are some tips and recommendations for where and how to start your own High Peaks journey!

Know your limits

These 46 High Peaks are strenuous, and while some are easier than others, the “easiest” of the 46ers are difficult and require preparation. You need to be physically fit, and have a good mind set going into the hike. Be willing to back off and turn around if you get too tired, daylight starts running out, or your snack supply has been depleted. Before thinking about tackling a 46er, it’s even a good idea to start lower, and build up a resume of small peaks. Mt Jo and Mt Van Hoevenberg are great smaller mountains, while Hurricane Mountain and Mckenzie Mountain are fairly difficult peaks, but don’t rise to 4,000 ft. There are hiking challenges in the area, like the Lake Placid 9er and the Saranac Lake 6er, that might be good places to start before working on your 46.

Questions to ask yourself before a 46er hike

The High Peaks can be very intimidating to some hikers who have limited or no backcountry experience, but if you prepare well they can be a fun place to recreate. Many of the High Peaks can be a huge undertaking and should not be your first choice, with some requiring a start of before sunrise and even finishing after sunset, and hikes of over 15 miles. However, with any mountain there are a few things to keep in mind before you go out - starting with: am I equipped with the correct gear? How am I going to protect myself from the cold, windy summits? 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 being well-versed in Leave No Trace ethics and having the 10 essentials can go a long way to having a safe trip.

An “easier” 46er hike

Cascade and Porter Mountains - 5.6 miles & 2,300 feet of elevation gain, round trip

This duo is thought to be the easiest of the High Peaks and in most cases can both be summited in less than a full day’s time. Be aware, while the language “easiest” is used, this is relative to the other 46 High Peaks, and this hike of Casade and Porter is rocky, steep, and strenuous.

Starting from Route 73 the trail begins easy as it skirts along the steep slopes. Eventually it gets a bit steeper and steadier, but with small shelves in the trail to break up the constant climbing, and a couple good viewpoints. Just shy of the summit of Cascade you meet an intersection with Porter on the right. It’s your choice for which you want to summit first! Cascade will become very rocky and windy once you break through the trees. To grab Porter, you will have a slight descent to a moderate ascent to a small summit area with a great view of Cascade in the distance.

Moderate 46er hike

Phelps Mountain – 8.4 miles & 2,275 feet of elevation gain, round trip

Phelps has some serious bang for the buck views. While the distance is a bit longer than Cascade and Porter, the steep section is relatively short – but very steep. Leaving from the Adirondack Loj you will have a nice stroll to and past Marcy Dam. Past Marcy Dam the grade slowly climbs, hardly noticeable, but you are gaining elevation. At the Phelps Mountain Trail intersection you will start a serious climb. When you top out on the summit, you’ll be at a large open ledge with some very fine views of the High Peak Region.

Phelps is often climbed in tandem with Tabletop Mountain. Don’t push yourself too hard, but if you are feeling good, and have enough food and water, consider making this a two peak day! Check in with the folks at the High Peaks Information Center about the current conditions before you set out.

More difficult hike

Mount Marcy – 14.8 miles and 3,166 feet of elevation gain, round trip

The draw of this peak being the tallest mountain in the state shouldn’t mean that you need to go right at it. However, with that being said, Mount Marcy mainly a more difficult hike due to distance. The terrain isn’t overly steep or demanding; you will be out for a bit longer than some others. From the Adirondack Loj, you will hike past Marcy Dam and slowly climb beyond there to a steep section that leads to Indian Falls. Past Indian Falls the grade is mostly moderate, with a couple steeper rock slab sections. As you get into the treeline, be mindful that you will be exposed to the conditions for quite some time. In windy conditions bundle up, and be wary of bad weather, you don’t want to be caught in a storm on Marcy’s summit dome. Once at the summit, enjoy the 360 degree views, the historical summit plaque, and make sure to say hi and thank you to the summit steward! They are up there protecting the rare, and fragile to footsteps, alpine vegetation. Do your best to protect the alpine ecosystem by sticking to the bare rock and off of the vegetation!

The “trailless” High Peaks

While not truly trailless, they have paths that are well-developed, but they are unmarked. There are easier trailless peaks such as Tabletop, and Street/Nye, but harder ones as well, like Allen, the Santanoni’s, and Seward’s; you might consider leaving these harder ones until you get some easier ones under your belt first. If you are hesitant about doing these peaks in one day, do your research and consider making a backpacking trip out of it!

So that’s a starting point to working on the 46 High Peaks. Only you know your abilities, but it’s a good direction for you to start. Want more information on the High Peaks? Stop by a local bookstore or gear shop and pick up a map and guidebook. Prefer to have a guide for your first ascent? There are excellent guide services in Lake Placid with 46ers on staff.  Have fun, be safe, take lots of pictures, and come back to us for more trips in the mountains.