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A strenuous trail leading to the summit of Whiteface Mountain.


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Map Key

4.9

Miles

7.9

KM

68%

Runnable

4,853' 1,479 m

High

1,309' 399 m

Low

3,578' 1,090 m

Up

33' 10 m

Down

14%

Avg Grade (8°)

42%

Max Grade (23°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

Description

This trail takes you to the summit of Whiteface Mountain. Because there is a road to the summit of Whiteface Mountain, this trail gets little traffic. It has two very steep sections and a very flat section in between that tends to be full of water or at least very muddy even when it is not raining.

After about two miles, the trail levels out. Soon after, you'll pass a trail junction (marked by a massive cairn and orange post) with the trail to the summit of Esther Mountain (Esther Mountain Trail). About a quarter mile past this, you'll pass the remnants of an old section of a ski resort lift. This is at almost exactly 4,000 feet in elevation and the trail becomes steep again after this point.

Just before the summit ridge, the trail parallels Route 431 but does not cross the road. The summit ridge is long and exposed. Be prepared for the possibility of very high winds.

Unfortunately, you'll not be alone on the summit because of the road to the top. You'll have the satisfaction of climbing to the top of a 46'er while all the others drove up. The view is amazing with great views of Lake Placid.

Contacts

Land Manager: NY DEC - Region 5 Office

Shared By:

John Maurizi with improvements by Cameron Flynn

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 9 votes

#868

Overall
  4.7 from 9 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#18

in New York

#868

Overall
12 Views Last Month
5,500 Since Aug 18, 2017
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Photos

Exposed summit ridge
Aug 28, 2017 near Lake Pl…, NY
View of Lake Placid from the summit.
Aug 31, 2017 near Lake Pl…, NY
Whiteface Mountain Trail
Aug 28, 2017 near Lake Pl…, NY
Whiteface summit.
Sep 6, 2017 near Lake Pl…, NY
Poor trail conditions even when sunny
Aug 28, 2017 near Lake Pl…, NY
View From Whiteface Mountain
Mar 18, 2019 near Lake Pl…, NY

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