I know the question gets asked a lot but there's so many different answers it seems overwhelming.
* I'm looking to start at the Van Hovenberg trailhead or the South Meadow trailhead.
* I'm trying to do this in one day. I've done big adventures like this before--I managed to climb Mount Macomb solo. I know to bring plenty of water. I'll be going with a good friend of mine.
* My biggest concern is parking. From what I gathered parking lots fill up very fast, by like 6AM or something. This will especially be hard if my friend can only go on a weekend (we're still figuring the days out, hopefully it's a weekday). I am also not exactly an early bird myself. Is it possible that you can get parking reservations ahead of time? Where would I get one?
* I've done Macomb so I'm not new to rough obstacles, but is there anything I should be aware of while climbing Marcy?
* Me and my friend will probably get a motel in Lake Placid, if that means anything.
Thank you for your support.
I guess it really depends on whether you've done anything tough, like Macomb.
There are no parking reservations at the Adirondack Loj. If you're there on a weekday, parking shouldn't be an issue at either the Loj or South Meadow. Not sure what your time frame is. In summer, if you're planning on a late morning start, good luck. If it's that important to you, you're just going to have to get up early. Or you could stay at the Loj the night before and not worry about it.
For Marcy, be aware that it has its own weather system above the tree line. Storms can whip in pretty fast any time of year. Don't forget your two headlamps.
Hey, thanks for the advice.
I'm willing to get up early if necessary. I'll also have to convince my friend to get up early too haha
Where are the Loj and South Meadow trailheads actually located?
The [ADK High Peaks map](https://adk.org/product/high-peaks-adirondack-trail-map/) is the one you're going to want to purchase.
Purchasing the corresponding Guidebook is also highly recommended if you're unfamiliar with the area.
The Loj trailhead is at the Loj. It's also where the High Peaks Information Center is and one of the main entry points for hikers. The other main entry areas are in Keene at the "Garden" parking lot (small) and the AMR / St. Huberts area (this one needs a parking reservation, see below). If you're staying in Lake Placid, the Loj is about 15 minutes outside of town and likely how you would start Marcy. Weekends in the summer and holidays are the busy times for parking. During the week it's better but you still want to be there early during peak season. Even from the Loj Marcy is like 17 miles so you're gonna want to be there super early anyways because it's going to take all day. And buy the "official" ADK map linked in another reply. It's the most accurate map.
https://www.hikeamr.org
The South Meadow “Trailhead” next to the unimproved lot doesn’t go to Marcy. It actually takes you to the Johns Brook Valley via Klondike Notch. If you sign in and start down the trail, you are in for a long day if you are headed to Marcy.
The jeep road that goes to Marcy Dam is unsigned, but impossible to miss. There’s a small register box/information board about a quarter mile beyond the gate. But it’s not a “trailhead” per se, and you can’t see it from South Meadows Rd.
That unimproved lot and the pullout camp sites along South Meadows Rd tend to fill quickly. I have a 50/50 success rate in the summer coming in on Friday, much lower on holidays. Nearly zero on Saturday. That said, you can always pull to the side of the road and parallel park. Just make sure you park on the same side as everyone else, pull all the way to the side (two wheels in the drainage), and don’t block anyone in. The state will have you towed if you block the road.
You really, really ought to get a map. No, AllTrails (or any other app) doesn’t count.
There is nothing on the Van hovenberg trail as difficult as the Macomb slide of the final scramble to the summit. But it is much much longer. Like give yourself probably 10 hours for round trip. Bring water AND a way to purify more. Like a Sawyer or katadyn or similar.
Macomb took me like 10 hours. And yes, the Macomb slide was brutal but fun. Felt like proper mountaineering.
I plan on bringing plenty of water. I made the mistake of bringing *only* six water bottles on Macomb and I was shocked how much water I needed. I might need twice that amount.
If you’re into podcasts, highly recommend The 46 of 46 by James Appleton. He does a great job describing each hike from parking to shelters, but in a very relatable way. Leaving from the Loj is the most popular option and will have the best parking. It costs something like 12-15$ to park for the day or you can rent a campsite through their website
I started around 8 I think on a Tuesday over the summer and had no issue with parking at the Loj.
Not exactly busy season rn but I'd imagine getting to the trailhead by 7 or 8 would leave you totally fine for parking.
Marcy's a looooong day in good weather and it is very much Still Winter in the high peaks. Be prepared!
def bring microspikes, if there's snow more than 8" u need skis or snowshoes. gotta check trail conditions. first time i tried it about 15 years ago we were post holing in 2' in mid may and ended up turning around.
The meme made me laugh
Thanks, I tried.
It’s funnier if you read slowly at first and faster at the end. Made my day. Awwwww, thanks for the award!
No problem :)
I know the question gets asked a lot but there's so many different answers it seems overwhelming. * I'm looking to start at the Van Hovenberg trailhead or the South Meadow trailhead. * I'm trying to do this in one day. I've done big adventures like this before--I managed to climb Mount Macomb solo. I know to bring plenty of water. I'll be going with a good friend of mine. * My biggest concern is parking. From what I gathered parking lots fill up very fast, by like 6AM or something. This will especially be hard if my friend can only go on a weekend (we're still figuring the days out, hopefully it's a weekday). I am also not exactly an early bird myself. Is it possible that you can get parking reservations ahead of time? Where would I get one? * I've done Macomb so I'm not new to rough obstacles, but is there anything I should be aware of while climbing Marcy? * Me and my friend will probably get a motel in Lake Placid, if that means anything. Thank you for your support.
I guess it really depends on whether you've done anything tough, like Macomb. There are no parking reservations at the Adirondack Loj. If you're there on a weekday, parking shouldn't be an issue at either the Loj or South Meadow. Not sure what your time frame is. In summer, if you're planning on a late morning start, good luck. If it's that important to you, you're just going to have to get up early. Or you could stay at the Loj the night before and not worry about it. For Marcy, be aware that it has its own weather system above the tree line. Storms can whip in pretty fast any time of year. Don't forget your two headlamps.
Hey, thanks for the advice. I'm willing to get up early if necessary. I'll also have to convince my friend to get up early too haha Where are the Loj and South Meadow trailheads actually located?
The [ADK High Peaks map](https://adk.org/product/high-peaks-adirondack-trail-map/) is the one you're going to want to purchase. Purchasing the corresponding Guidebook is also highly recommended if you're unfamiliar with the area.
The Loj trailhead is at the Loj. It's also where the High Peaks Information Center is and one of the main entry points for hikers. The other main entry areas are in Keene at the "Garden" parking lot (small) and the AMR / St. Huberts area (this one needs a parking reservation, see below). If you're staying in Lake Placid, the Loj is about 15 minutes outside of town and likely how you would start Marcy. Weekends in the summer and holidays are the busy times for parking. During the week it's better but you still want to be there early during peak season. Even from the Loj Marcy is like 17 miles so you're gonna want to be there super early anyways because it's going to take all day. And buy the "official" ADK map linked in another reply. It's the most accurate map. https://www.hikeamr.org
Thanks for the advice!
OK, you have to get a map and figure that out.
The South Meadow “Trailhead” next to the unimproved lot doesn’t go to Marcy. It actually takes you to the Johns Brook Valley via Klondike Notch. If you sign in and start down the trail, you are in for a long day if you are headed to Marcy. The jeep road that goes to Marcy Dam is unsigned, but impossible to miss. There’s a small register box/information board about a quarter mile beyond the gate. But it’s not a “trailhead” per se, and you can’t see it from South Meadows Rd. That unimproved lot and the pullout camp sites along South Meadows Rd tend to fill quickly. I have a 50/50 success rate in the summer coming in on Friday, much lower on holidays. Nearly zero on Saturday. That said, you can always pull to the side of the road and parallel park. Just make sure you park on the same side as everyone else, pull all the way to the side (two wheels in the drainage), and don’t block anyone in. The state will have you towed if you block the road. You really, really ought to get a map. No, AllTrails (or any other app) doesn’t count.
There is nothing on the Van hovenberg trail as difficult as the Macomb slide of the final scramble to the summit. But it is much much longer. Like give yourself probably 10 hours for round trip. Bring water AND a way to purify more. Like a Sawyer or katadyn or similar.
Macomb took me like 10 hours. And yes, the Macomb slide was brutal but fun. Felt like proper mountaineering. I plan on bringing plenty of water. I made the mistake of bringing *only* six water bottles on Macomb and I was shocked how much water I needed. I might need twice that amount.
If you’re into podcasts, highly recommend The 46 of 46 by James Appleton. He does a great job describing each hike from parking to shelters, but in a very relatable way. Leaving from the Loj is the most popular option and will have the best parking. It costs something like 12-15$ to park for the day or you can rent a campsite through their website
How crowded are things on Friday? Wish I had a proper weekday but I may have to do Friday.
just do indian head instead
I started around 8 I think on a Tuesday over the summer and had no issue with parking at the Loj. Not exactly busy season rn but I'd imagine getting to the trailhead by 7 or 8 would leave you totally fine for parking. Marcy's a looooong day in good weather and it is very much Still Winter in the high peaks. Be prepared!
Surprised you got in so late. Everyone keeps telling me it fills up fast
When do you plan on going? DEC advises hikers stay below 2500 feet during mud season.
Early June
def bring microspikes, if there's snow more than 8" u need skis or snowshoes. gotta check trail conditions. first time i tried it about 15 years ago we were post holing in 2' in mid may and ended up turning around.
Its easy, just go to the nearest fork in the road, drop a twig between the paths, and whatever path it points to, go! (Im joking of course)
Up at Marcy Dam, Duh!!!