Want a hiking challenge in Upstate New York? Consider hiking the 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks. These mountains have been a magnet for hikers and people with wanderlust for the last 150 or more years and the pristine natural beauty of the region is enough to blow anyone away. Most of the High Peaks are located in the Lake Placid/Keene-Keene Valley area.
One of the great challenges of Upstate New York is to summit each of these 46 mountain peaks of the Adirondacks - but with nearly 50 peaks, it is not a challenge that's going to be completed in a weekend. What better way to explore New York's stunning Adirondacks?
What Are The 46 Peaks?
The 46's are the mountains of the Adirondacks that rise to a height of more than 4,000 feet above sea level. Fun fact, that based on later, more accurate measurements, they should actually be the 43 mountains. This is because four of them are a little lower than 4,000 feet and, there is another peak, MacNaughton, that measures 4,000 feet but is not traditionally considered one of the 46ers.
- Height: Over 4,000 Feet
- Peaks Less than 4,000 Feet: Blake Peak, Cliff Mountain, Nye Mountain, Couchsachraga Peak
|
46 Peak Rank |
Mountain |
Elevation (feet) |
|
1 |
Marcy |
5344 |
|
2 |
Algonquin |
5114 |
|
3 |
Haystack |
4960 |
|
4 |
Skylight |
4926 |
|
5 |
Whiteface |
4867 |
But there's another challenge for those wanted to complete all of them. Around 20 of the High Peaks don't actually have a marked trail to the summit, instead hikers need to pick their way to the top making use of unmarked herd and game tracks to the tops. Fortunately most of these game trails are fairly easy to follow - although hikers will need to make use of a map, compass, and GPS to guide them to the tops of the peaks.
- Without Paths: Around 20 Do Not Have Developed Trails To The Top
How Long To Hike The 46 Peaks of The Adirondacks
How long it takes to complete the 46 Peaks depends greatly on the individual, the weather, and how much time and endurance one has. In total, one can expect to complete some 295 miles and 70,000 feet. At a moderate pace one would need to put in about 230 hours to hike all those trails.
- Total Trail Length: 295 Miles
- Total Elevation Gain: 70,000 Feet
- Time To Complete the 46ers: Could Be Done In A Month (Theoretically)
One should plan around the majority of the routes being remote, rocky, and difficult. Taking the 230-hour figure, if one was to hike 8 hours every day, it would take 34 days to complete all the peaks. Individually, each High Peak takes between 5 and 18 hours to hike and return (although some can be done together).
The trails are characterized by granite with plenty of rocky creek bed staircases, wooden ladders, sheet rock faces, river crossings, and more to make one's ascent more strenuous.
With the Great Range Transverse trail one can hike 8 of the High Peaks in one go - although that is a full on day.
Join The Adirondack 46ers
As hiking the 46 Adirondack High Peaks is considered one of the greatest hiking challenges of the region, there is a select group of hikers called the Adirondack 46ers. They are an organization of hikers who have climbed all the 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks.
- First 46ers: Robert and George Marshall and Herbert Clark
- First Climbed: Between 1918 and 1925
When the first 46ers undertook the challenge of hiking all the High Peaks, it was significantly more challenging as there were no trails up many of the peaks. Since then Mount Marshall - one of the peaks in the MacIntyre Range - has been named in the honor of these first 46ers.
The organization itself dates from 1936 and has since expanded and had a total membership of 12,223 in 2020.
- Winter 46ers: Those Who Climb The 46 Peaks In The Winter
For some, climbing all the 46 High Peaks is not enough. Some have gone and climbed them all again in the winter (between December 21 and March 21). These are awarded with the "Winter 46-R" rocker patch. In 2020 there were 934 Winter 46ers.
Additionally, at least six dogs have completed the 46 peaks - Chrissie, Terry, Bobo, Dara, Tigger, and Schuss.