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Adirondack High Peaks, New York
Hikes / North America / Adirondack High Peaks
In early October 2020 I hiked a loop over the two highest mountains in New York, alone except for my parents' yellow lab, Shia: from the Adirondak Loj at Heart Lake up the Van Hoevenberg Trail to the summit of Mount Marcy, down the west side past Lake Tear of the Clouds to a lean-to at Lake Colden, then up the steep side of Algonquin Peak and back down to the Loj. Two days, about 18 miles on my GPS. It's the trip from my film Hiking the Mount Marcy Loop in the Adirondacks.
Kraig Adams
Effort at this pace: Hard · about 9 mi (15 km) and 2,879 ft (878 m) of climbing a day over 2 days, up to 5,344 ft (1,629 m). Our grade for the days given, worked out from distance, climbing and altitude a day; it isn't the trail's usual difficulty rating (under Basics) and doesn't rate exposure, terrain or weather.
From Kraig Adams's GPS recording and guide.
Relief map
From Kraig Adams's GPS. Terrain: Mapzen Terrain Tiles (USGS 3DEP, SRTM) on AWS · Rivers & lakes © OpenStreetMap contributors
Tap a day for his map of it
The film
Hiking the Mount Marcy Loop in the Adirondacks
Before you go
From Kraig Adams's guide
Parking at the Loj is $25 a day or $120 for a multi-day or full-week…
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 2400 · NEMO Hornet 1P · UGQ Bandit quilt · Outdoor Vitals Sleeping Bag Liner · a Therm-a-Rest mat · Klymit Pillow X · Jetboil MicroMo · Sea to Summit Alpha Light long spoon and 37 more.
From Kraig Adams's guide
From Kraig Adams's guide. For planning, not navigation: check before you go.
Their films and versions
1 creator so far: Kraig, 2 trips, 2–3 days, tent.
Hiking the Mount Marcy Loop in the Adirondacks
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Typical: 2 days (the hike's facts).
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Answered from the data
I did it in two: 13 miles summiting Mount Marcy the first day, as I put it in the film, and only 8 back out to Heart Lake over Algonquin the second (11.6 and 6.7 on my GPS). I think it's a good loop most people can do; you just have to be prepared for the weather. If you want an easier time, take three days and spend two nights at Lake Colden. See Other ways to do it.
From Kraig Adams's trip and guide.
Parking at the Loj is $25 a day or $120 for a multi-day or full-week stay for non-members ($10 and $50 for ADK members). The Garden lot in Keene Valley is $10 a day. There's no fee for the wilderness. A bus from New York to Lake Placid starts at about $136.
From Kraig Adams's trip and guide.
I went the first week of October 2020, in the fall color, and in early September 2019, when it rained a lot. In 2026 I LOVE NY reported peak color at Lake Placid from September 30 to October 6. October is also hunting season, so wear orange.
From Kraig Adams's trip and guide.
No permit or reservation was needed for the High Peaks Wilderness in 2026, but you sign the trail register. A 2026 state study recommends a daily limit at the Adirondak Loj from summer 2027, possibly with permits, so check DEC before a 2027 trip. Overnight campers in the Eastern High Peaks must carry a hard bear canister from April 1 to November 30, and campfires are banned.
From Kraig Adams's trip and guide.
My loop from the Adirondak Loj was 18.3 miles on my GPS, with about 5,760 ft of climbing, over two days in October 2020: up the Van Hoevenberg Trail to Mount Marcy, down past Lake Tear of the Clouds to a lean-to at Lake Colden, then over Algonquin Peak back to the Loj. I called it the 22-mile loop in my film.
From Kraig Adams's trip and guide.
At the Adirondack Mountain Club's lot at the Adirondak Loj, at the end of Adirondack Loj Road near Lake Placid. In 2026 it cost non-members $25 a day or $120 for a multi-day or full-week stay, and it often fills before 6 a.m. on summer weekends.
From Kraig Adams's trip and guide.
Yes. Lake Colden has lean-tos and designated tent sites, first come, first served, and lean-tos are shared until full, normally 8 people. I slept in the Opalescent Lean-to. You can't camp above 4,000 ft, and between 3,500 and 4,000 ft only at designated sites.
From Kraig Adams's trip and guide.
Yes, on a leash: dogs must be leashed at all times in the Eastern High Peaks, and you must carry proof of a current rabies vaccination. I hiked the loop with my parents' yellow lab in October 2020. Dogs are not allowed on the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (Ausable Club) land, which this loop doesn't use.
From Kraig Adams's trip and guide.