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Etiennehanzo
Went alone in February 2011, very quite with amazing clear views. Bring food, this time of year you may want to camp half up, I did both one year I stopped but didn't make it to the top bc my boots froze over night. The second year was strait up and down and a success. I've heard the summer is very crowded.
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Rooindie
I don't think this trail has much to recommend it other than it being a highpoint; there was not much in the way of beauty/scenery/views on the way up or down, it's just a slow stead slog to the top. We did it as a race against rain in the forecast; the rain never materialized, but the view at the top was non-existent and it was CRAZY windy. It took us about 4 1/4 hours to get up with not much by way of breaks. The trail is very very rocky, and at the top it is a lot of boulders to scramble over. I would highly recommend trekking poles; we put one pole away for the scramble at the top. This hike would suck in heat or rain - I would say it is dangerous in rain. Trail well marked, but had areas in need of maintenance.
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Leannemp2013
My husband and are avid hikers and backpackers. We are working on hiking the high peaks of the ADK mountains. We were out backpacking to hike Skylight and Gray and decided to take a side trip and summit Marcy. It was worth the trip, and a beautiful view. The last bit was a steep climb, but not difficult technically. My best advice to someone who is considering climbing Marcy - do it, but don't be fooled into thinking it is the one and only hike to do in the ADKs... it might be the highest point, but it's not the be all and end all. Also, if you're planning to hike Marcy, don't plan to be alone because it is very well traveled and not the best option for the "wilderness" feeling. However, you can't get a view like that just anywhere :)
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dustins450
This is a really amazing hike, but it's important to be prepared so I'll try to keep my review objective for future hikers sake. I consider myself to be in pretty good shape, but Marcy proved to be a strong challenge for me. It's not just the length or elevation that makes it difficult, but also the terrain. Much of the trail is very rocky, especially towards the end, where boulders cover much of the path. You need good hiking shoes if you are going to do this trip. The descent back to the lodge was more difficult than the ascent, due to the steepness of some of the boulders. We also didn't have the motivation that we did on the way up. If you plan on using hiking poles on the way up, make sure you have a bag that you can store them in on the way down-you'll need both hands free. I took 40oz. of water along with me, and had completely finished it by the last mile of the hike. It took us close to 11 hours to hike up to the summit and back down to Adirondack Loj. Even though this was somewhat of a grueling experience, it was equally rewarding. That night after the hike, I remember feeling elated and rejuvenated. The feeling you get at the top of the mountain stays with you. As long as you are prepared, you will be rewarded with a very memorable experience.
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robnjessmom
We are in good condition and were prepared for the long trek, backpacks at the ready, lol, but Marcy is unrelenting when it comes to her climb. Not easy, but worth the trip!
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Dptmax
Hikes to the summit in August, leaving the base lot at 355am, submitting at 830am, weather was beautiful, and no bugs like I was reading about in other posts. Lots of mud and slippery rocks though beware! We climbed down the far side of the mountain for the 18 mile loop and went 2 miles more out of the way to loop back via Avalanche pass, which was well worth the painful muscles I had the next day! Total miles: 20 Total time: 355am-530pmMy training schedule prior: uphill biking vs uphill running every other day, and upper arm weight lifting. What would I do differently? Drink more freaking water! What helped? : topographic map + compass, and bring someone with an encouraging attitude! This was the longest hike I have ever completed in one day-
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thomasbY399FC
A Canadian friend of mine suggested in March(!) that we'd drive for 4 hours, trek up&down Mount Marcy at night and then head back to Ottawa. I said yes at once, and off went. We got to the parking lot arount 10pm, and reached the summit sometime around half past midnight. I was dead, since my friend was fitter than I, but it was mervelous! We got all sorts of weather: wind, lightning & thunder, hail, clear skies and finally rain. Fantastic!
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PW1958
Now before you say "average, what is she thinking?", we only went as far as Marcy dam!! Mt Marcy is a 14 ish mile hike(round trip), and near the top I am told its a biotch. We left later in the morning and although my 54 yr old brother really wanted to do the whole thing, I knew that my out of shape 55 yr old body wasn't going to do it without a great deal of rebelling. My 58 yr old SO isn't an avid hiker, so going to the dam was about as far as he was going to go. The 2. something mile hike to the dam is really nice- 'beginner hiker territory'. You will work up a sweat (well, I did), but it was an enjoyable hike for us with nice views at the dam. Took about 3 hrs- but we stopped and spent some time at the dam.
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TScates
My son (19 yrs old) and I (53 yrs old) took the trip in late June. Weather was great (not too warm, no rain). For me, this was not an easy hike due to length, obstacles, and elevation. While I walk frequently I found it challenging and regret I wasn't in better shape for the hike (it became a quest to finish not a trip to enjoy). That being said, my son had no issues (who is in good shape). It took us 8 hours to do the round trip and we took our time (15 miles). Bring plenty of water, some snacks, and for me a walking stick was essential. Also, once you pass the tree line it's pretty chilly on top. Also, no bathrooms along the way.The trail starts out very easy for the first 2 miles. It gets more steep and more rocky as you go up. Imagine a river bed full of rocks (some very large) and no water. If you can walk along the top of the rocks it's not so bad. The last portion is over large smooth granite outcrops. For me (not being in great shape) going up is tough on the lungs go down tough on the joints. Also, there are some really steep portions.Make sure and enjoy the trip. Indian falls is a nice view, there are stops along streams where you can stop and relax (put your feet in the water). The view on top was spectacular. The sense of accomplishment was worth the trip.
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ryanh81
July 10 2014:A friend and I arrived at the Adirondack Loj at around 9:00 am to set out on our adventure. There is a small $10.00 parking fee at the Loj, but this fee is completely reasonable given the nicely maintained trails and ample parking. We set off from the Loj at around 9:30, coming across many sights on our way to Mt Marcy including Marcy Dam and Indian Falls, both of which are awesome places to see! We arrived at the summit of Mount Marcy at around 1:30 pm, after about a 4 hour hike including a stop for lunch and to admire some sights. As you approach the summit from the trails branching out from the Loj, there are some relatively steep sections of rock which must be climbed to reach the summit. We were easily able to make it up with 20+ lbs of gear in an internal frame backpack. The views are absolutely amazing, even being able to see mt mansfield (the highest peak in Vermont) from the summit. At the summit, we met an incredibly friendly summit guide named Devin, who told us all about the history of the area, the endangered plants, and what laid beyond the mountain. We ended up climbing down the opposite side that we ascended, and hiking to Lake Colden to camp at a surprisingly nice campsite directly beside the lake, providing a beautiful view. We hiked back out around Avalanche Lake, and through Avalanche Pass. The trails in and around Avalanche Lake are a ton of fun, including many ladders, bridges and platforms to navigate, providing a fun obstacle course type hike. Our hike was around 18 miles total, spread out between two days. I was very sore by the end, but the natural beauty and majesty of the area is more than enough to make up for that. I could not have imagined a better hiking trip. Make sure to bring bug spray!
