For many of us, the thought of taking on one of New York’s High Peaks can seem like an outdoor activity that’s too difficult to handle. But what if I were to tell you that there’s a mountain in the heart of our High Peaks Wilderness Area that comes in at under 5-miles round trip and won’t completely kill you? A popular place to start when you’re beginning your 46er adventure, here’s on gorgeous trail in the Empire State that you’ll absolutely want to hike.
Right off of the stunning Route 73, the trailhead for Cascade Mountain can be easily found up in the Adirondacks.
Scott F./Yelp
The hike is one that’s overall considered to be moderate, keeping a steady incline through the Adirondack forest that will have you up above the tree line before you know it.
Lea Monroe / Only In Your State
Generally taking most hikers an hour and a half to two hours to reach the summit, you’ll know you’ve made it once you have this beautiful rock scramble before your eyes.
Lea Monroe / Only In Your State
Follow the painted yellow trail blazes up the rock and you’ll soon see cairns decorated all over the summit.
Lea Monroe / Only In Your State
At the top you’ll find a unique summit that’s made up of Alpine terrain, with informational signs letting you know to stay on the trail to preserve the natural beauty.
Lea Monroe / Only In Your State
Turn around once you reach the very top and you’ll see that while you’ve been making your way up scrambles and staircases, you’ve had our breathtaking High Peaks right at your back.
Lea Monroe / Only In Your State
On one side of you you’ll have the beautiful mountains and on the other you’ll be able to see down into the town of Lake Placid.
Lea Monroe / Only In Your State
Another fun thing to keep an eye out for? If you look below and follow Route 73 with your eyes, you’ll be quickly be able to find the Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumps! (Seen here as a mere white dot below the arrow.)
Lea Monroe / Only In Your State
Giving you views of beautiful lakes and our tallest mountains, this relatively easy High Peak has one of the most rewarding views for the short distance you’ll hike.
Lea Monroe / Only In Your State
Well marked and popular to visit, the earlier you can arrive to this mountain… the better!
Lea Monroe / Only In Your State If you’re brave enough to trek through the dark to enjoy a sunrise hike, it’s something I’d highly suggest. I personally took on this hike this summer and was lucky to have the summit to myself bright and early. But on the way back down the mountain? I ended up passing nearly 30 hikers, all before 8AM. Another motivation to arrive earlier is that you won’t have to deal with as much of a hassle when it comes to parking along Route 73.
To find out further information on this hike, click here.
Have you hiked to the top of any of our High Peaks, if so which one is your favorite? To try a less strenuous adventure, take A Drive Up Whiteface Mountain Highway To Get Miles And Miles Away From It All!
Scott F./Yelp
Lea Monroe / Only In Your State
If you’re brave enough to trek through the dark to enjoy a sunrise hike, it’s something I’d highly suggest. I personally took on this hike this summer and was lucky to have the summit to myself bright and early. But on the way back down the mountain? I ended up passing nearly 30 hikers, all before 8AM. Another motivation to arrive earlier is that you won’t have to deal with as much of a hassle when it comes to parking along Route 73.
To find out further information on this hike, click here.
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