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Mt. Skylight, Mt. Marcy, and Gray Peak

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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.
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Difficulty: Strenuous
Length: 18 miles
Duration: Full day
Family 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 follo... more »

Tips:  Heart Lake Adirondack Loj Trailhead:
From Exit 30 take Route 73 towards Lake Placid for 26.5 miles. Take a left onto Adirondack ... more »

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Points of Interest

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1. 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.

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2. 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... More

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3. 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.

4. Trail Junction

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

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5. 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.

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6. 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.

7. 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.

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8. 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!

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9. 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.

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10. Four Corners

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11. 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.

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12. 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.

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13. 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.

14. 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.

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15. 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.

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Mt. Skylight, Mt. Marcy, and Gray Peak
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