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Backpacker Magazine – January/February 2010
Readers' Choice Northeast Hikes: Panther Gorge and Mt. Marcy, Adirondack Park, NY
Bag New York's high point and two other big peaks.
Panther Gorge & Mt. Marcy Adirondack Park, NY (Tim Seaver)
Ricketts Glen State Park, PA | Panther Gorge and Mt. Marcy, Adirondack Park, NY | Bernard Mountain, Acadia National Park, ME | Vermont's Green Mountains Foliage | Maine's 100-Mile Wilderness | Burroughs Range Loop, Catskill Mountain Preserve, NY |
Yes, 5,344-foot Mt. Marcy attracts a crowd. No, you don’t have to join it. Most hikers follow a series of trails from the Adirondack Loj to the east. But heed our team’s advice: Head for Marcy’s summit via the Elk Lake Trail and you’ll find guaranteed solitude—and a perfect long weekend—on a 30.6-mile, three-day backpack that tags Marcy and two more 4,000-footers. “It’s pure wilderness,” promises Tim Dubois. “It’s everything you like about the raw, wild character of the Adirondacks rolled into one trip.”
Yes, 5,344-foot Mt. Marcy attracts a crowd. No, you don’t have to join it. Most hikers follow a series of trails from the Adirondack Loj to the east. But heed our team’s advice: Head for Marcy’s summit via the Elk Lake Trail and you’ll find guaranteed solitude—and a perfect long weekend—on a 30.6-mile, three-day backpack that tags Marcy and two more 4,000-footers. “It’s pure wilderness,” promises Tim Dubois. “It’s everything you like about the raw, wild character of the Adirondacks rolled into one trip.”
Day one Set out on the Elk Lake Trail (marked with blue discs), which slips through private land for the first 6.5 miles (no camping permitted). At mile 5.5, reach an open bog called Marcy Swamp, with views north to the mountain. In another 3.2 miles, pass an open area in an otherwise dense beech forest where Hurricane Floyd flattened the trees in 1999. Just after, enter Panther Gorge and gain 1,200 feet in a little over three miles before reaching Panther Gorge lean-to and its nearby tent sites. Set up a basecamp here.
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READERS COMMENTS
Hiked Marcy in July '09. The r/t day hike from Loj to summit is a full day hike. Be prepared for wet boggy areas and trail mud. Views are great once past Indian Falls, not much till then. wind chill on the summit even in late July. Rangers are usually on the trail and summit stewards are great to talk with. Enjoy!
Posted: Feb 28, 2010 Robin
I have hiked and backpacked in the Adirondacks many times. The High Peaks region is my favorite. Have you every hiked a dry creek bed,uphill for 7 miles? That is the High Peaks. Challenging but very rewarding.
Posted: Feb 26, 2010 CJ
The climb up Haystack from Panther Gorge will give you a thrill. There is a lot of elevation gain in a short time ( or it is very steep) and you are exposed for a good portion of the climb. It is definitely remote and you may not see anything but bears until you reach the summitt's.
Posted: Feb 19, 2010 Rich
Check and make sure certain high terrain trails are not closed due to wet ground and the effort to protect the environment. Definitely be prepared for anything as you go from low to high elevation. This includes bears, difficult terrain, high cliffs/drop offs, etc., and make darn sure you have good hiking boots. Anything over 10 miles for inexperienced hikers will be grueling - you might want to plan an overnight. Once you head up mountain, there will be limited water so bring plenty with you (several liters per person).
Posted: Feb 18, 2010 B. Maier
If you don't have a lot of backpacking experience..Hike Marcy from the Loj...If you need to ask what gear to bring you need to do more research..
Posted: Feb 18, 2010 Bill
hit the trail early...we slept in our car. wear good shoes (it seems like common sense, but trust me) bring moleskin in case your feet start to blister. we have always done the shorter hike (19 miles roundtrip) in 1 day. be prepared for bears. have fun :)
Posted: Feb 07, 2010 sara
A friend and I would like to hike Marcy in the spring (maybe May?) but don't have a lot of backpacking experience. Any simple suggestions, eg. gear? how much water? or even what time to hit the trail on days 1 & 3? Thanks!
Posted: Jan 30, 2010 melissa
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