Lake Placid, New York
Cascade Mountain
The easiest of the Adirondack High Peaks and a perfect first 46er.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Length
- 4.8 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 1,940 ft
- Duration
- 3–5
- Best Season
- May–Oct
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Features
- Adirondack 46er, Bare summit
About the trail
Cascade Mountain (4,098 ft) is widely considered the most accessible of the Adirondack 46 High Peaks. The trail climbs steadily through mixed hardwood and balsam forest before breaking out onto a fully bare rock summit with unobstructed 360-degree views of Algonquin, Marcy, and the entire High Peaks wilderness. A great introduction to Adirondack peakbagging.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 44.2186, -73.8602Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- From Lake Placid, drive 6.5 miles east on NY-73.
- Park at the Cascade Mountain Trailhead lot (reservation required May–Oct).
- Follow the red trail markers for 2.4 miles to the summit.
- Return via the same route.
Parking
Reservation required via the AMR/HPIC system in summer. Free in shoulder season.
Tips from the trail
- Bag neighboring Porter Mountain via a 0.7-mile spur for a second 46er.
- Above treeline rock is slippery when wet.
- Sign in at the trail register both directions.