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Shady Corner Curve, New York, United States

Mt. Skylight, Mt. Marcy, and Gray Peak

Two enormous bald summit 46ers and a trailess Gray Peak in a day loop hike form Heart Lake. A state highpoint as well.

Mt. Skylight, Mt. Marcy, and Gray Peak
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Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 18.0 miles / 29 km
Duration: Full day
Family Friendly • Dog Friendly
 
Overview: This is an epic hike that will gain you three more Adirondack 46er peaks along with the State Highpoint, Mt. Marcy. Make sure to follow the GPS track and pay attention to the trail junctions as there a few. You'll pass by alpine lakes, the start of the mighty Hudson River, and descend the state highpoint past a beautiful waterfall. This hike can be done in one very long day or in an overnight with a stay at Marcy Dam where the loop hike begins.

Tips: Heart Lake Adirondack Loj Trailhead:
From Exit 30 take Route 73 towards Lake Placid for 26.5 miles. Take a left onto Adirondack Loj Road and continue 5 miles to the Loj and the parking area.

There is a $10 per day fee to park here.

Points of Interest

Parking
map

Heart Lake Adirondack Loj Trailhead
Parking here is $10 per day. Head on down the most traveled trail towards Marcy Dam after signing into the register.
Campground
map

Marcy Dam
There are a lot of campsites in this area if you'd like to make this a two day hike. You will start your loop hike from here and will return via a different trail to Marcy Dam again. Make sure to use bear canisters as black bears frequent the area. From here you want to head out on the trail towards Avalanche Pass which you will leave before you actually reach Avalanche Pass.
Junction
map

Lake Arnold Trail
Here you will want to take a left up and away from the trail towards Avalanche Lake to head up towards Lake Arnold on the east side of Mt. Colden.
Junction
map

Trail Junction
There will be a trail heading off to your left to Indian Falls. Ignore it and keep heading towards Lake Arnold.
Junction
map

Lake Arnold
When you reach Lake Arnold you'll see the trail heading up Colden. Ignore this as you definitely won't want to add another big peak this epic hike... You'll start heading downhill from Lake Arnold until you meet up with the Feldspar Brook Trail that will bring ou up to Lake Tear of the Clouds between all the summits.
Viewpoint
map

East Slide on Colden
This was a new slide from the 90's. You'll pass by the debris at the base of it on your way.
Junction
map

Feldspar Brook Trail
Here you will start your climb up the Feldspar Brook Trail to Lake Tear of the Clouds which is in the col between all the summits you will climb.
Junction
map

Gray Peak Herd Path
This trail is very hard to find so definitely follow the track carefully from the outlet of Lake Tear of the Clouds. The track is 100% accurate so trust it as you ascend Gray Peak through the thick brush. BTW, Lake Tear of the Clouds is the start of the Hudson River!
Mountain
map

Gray Peak
You are now at the summit of this 4,826 feet trailless peak. You'll have great views up towards the summit of Marcy.
Junction
map

Four Corners
Mountain
map

Skylight Summit
The 4,925 foot bald summit of Skylight. You'll have amazing views of Marcy and down into Panther Gorge. You'll know you are on top by the massive pile of rocks (cairn) at the summit.
Mountain
map

Mt. Marcy Summit
At 5,344 feet you are now at the summit of the State of New York. You'll have great views of all the surrounding high peaks.
Junction
map

Von Hoevenberg Trail Junction
You'll want to head left at this junction or you'll end up heading down to the col between Marcy and Haystack.
Junction
map

Hopkins Trail Intersection
Ignore the Hopkins trail that heads right from this trail junction. Instead continue on down the Von Hoevenberg Trail towards Marcy Dam.
Viewpoint
map

Indian Falls
This short little side trail will take you to the top of beautiful Indian Falls. If it's sunny take the time to relax on the rocks in the sun for a bit before continuing on towards Marcy Dam and then to the trailhead.
Pictures in this guide taken by: JonathanEllinger, 100%Agave, Tripper, jonbellemore, msears101, AnArcticPuffin, ershadz, millsbeastice, spongebob

Jonathan Ellinger
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Mt. Skylight, Mt. Marcy, and Gray Peak Trail Map


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About the Author

JonathanEllinger
JonathanEllinger
333 guides
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Although I have climbed over 250 mountains from various places around the U.S. and have hiked in Europe...

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