So naturally I took a candid photo as he was dragging himself up the mountain. We had no idea – on our secluded route up the ‘back’ side of the mountain, we were completely insulated from the weather. This is a great trail for beginners that offers a fantastic view of Marcy, Algonquin and Colden among other high peaks. Phelps Mountain Date of Hike: 6/2/12 South Meadow Truck / Van Hovenbrg / Phelps Spur Trails: 9.4 miles (2,000 feet elevation gain) Trip Report:-Saturday was a wash with a steady drizzle and low lying clouds. It is about 9.5 miles round trip from the Adirondack Loj. Things got really pretty from here! The trail will … Phelps Mountain at 4160 feet is the 32nd highest peak in Adirondack Park and is one of the ADK 46ers. One of the most enticing regions of the park is the Adirondack High Peaks, the 46(ish) peaks that are over 4,000 feet high. The trail climbs about 1200' in that 1.2 miles. ). In another 0.8 miles you will come to the trail junction with the Phelps trail. A beautiful and more "accessible" Adirondack High Peak. View detailed trail descriptions, trail maps, reviews, photos, trail itineraries, directions and more on TrailLink. The summit of Phelps Mountain is 1.2 miles from the junction. The plan for the first day was to hike up Phelps Mountain which is one of the ADK 46 with a possible attempt at Tabletop Mountain if we had enough daylight. Phelps bicycled for more than 600 miles in September to raise funds for children’s cancer research. I made a halfhearted attempt of Dix from rt73 on the 21st. Marcy, Mt. Van Hovenburg Trail: 3.2 miles / Phelps Trail: 2.4 miles / Van Hovenburg Trail 3.2 miles Total Miles: 8.8 miles (2,200 feet elevation gained) Trip Report: - After two years of putting off winter hiking in the Adirondacks it was finally time to head up to the High Peaks and tackle the Forty-Sixers. Have fun this winter! For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. So amazing! Phelps Mountain is the 32nd-highest of New York's Adirondack High Peaks, with an elevation of 4,161 ft. After a little over a mile, you will reach the split to Phelps Mountain on your left. Phelps Mountain is named after Orson Schofield Phelps, also known as Old Mountain Phelps. It took us 1 hour and 20 minutes up and 50 minutes down. Any time of year is good. The Woodland trail offers the shortest access to Phelps Lake, 1.3 miles, compared to the Lake Creek Trail, which is 1.7 miles from the parking area. Marcy most people don't seem to have the time to get up it.The mountain offers great views of Table Top, Indian Falls and Mount Marcy as well as a good view of Algonquin and the Lake Placid Valley, with Whiteface and Easter off in the distance.A simple route with a few open sections that require a little scrabbling about 1/2 way of the trail.The peak is largely tree covered but there are a few open parts that offer good views and a nice spot to have lunch and look at Marcy.The trail is well-maintained all the way to summit and it can be reached by simply following the Van Hoevenberg trail from Adirondack Loj and then taking a sharp left had turn at the Phelps Mt. (64), Comments This hike is 8.8 miles round trip, and it will take approximately 9 hours to complete. Phelps Mountain from Mapcarta, the free map. I decided to hike Phelps Mountain, which is supposedly one of the "easier" high peaks at 4,160 feet. Nice pics, particularly of Marcy Dam. If you have any questions please contact me at, Total Miles: 8.8 miles (2,200 feet elevation gained). He's a prominent figure in Adirondack history. with my permission. The summit is small but rather unspoiled unlike many other peaks. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. It was so beautiful. He was perhaps America’s first native-born Mountain Guide.Phelps was also a writer and his recently unpublished work has just come to light and supposetly it debunks some of the present history of climbing in the Dacks. The mountain is named after Orson Schofield "Old Mountain" Phelps (1817–1905), who cut the first trail up Mount Marcy and named several of the Adirondack peaks. We started hiking at 10:45 am. We passed Marcy Dam about 2.5 miles in where we saw some campers setting up for the night, and continued on a steady wide path with a few rocks and tree roots. Content cannot be used, copied or distributed without my consent. We chatted for a moment, then continued on our way, planning to meet up on Phelps. I didn’t mind hiking it again because it has some great views. It was windy but since we were in the trees we didn’t feel it. It was 2.75 miles to the Klondike leanto, which we reached in about an hour and 15 minutes. The hike was only 8.4 miles and only one mile was very steep. Oddly, my primal instincts don't tell me to stop hiking the ADK peaks in the winter. (Now one can wake in the morning have a good breakfast get up the mountain and be home for early Dinner).To give you an idea of what was expected of a guide of the era here is a little extract from Adirondack Guide site that explains it nicely;Guiding at Saint Huberts consists of a number of duties of which the following are a few: it is the duty of the guide to get the food ready, tote it along, and be sure that there is enough; row all members of the party to and from wherever they wish to go; act as the cook, waiter, chambermaid, and nurse; bough up the lean-tos; keep the fires burning in the evening, and act as a story-teller. We took our time as we had a newer hiker along with us and enjoyed a great lunch on the summit." The first three miles to the Phelps trail were beautiful. From there, follow the signs for Phelps Mountain/Mt. Some good sites: ADk 46ers Adirondack Hiking Portal. Hope you enjoy my blog, thanks for reading! Phelps Mountain. Wright Peak slides, one is called Angel, the other one I forgot, I want to say squirrel but it looks like a rabbit or dog to me! From the leanto, it would be a 1.7 mile bushwhack to the top of Phelps Mountain. Directions To Phelps Mountain: For driving directions to trailheads near Phelps Mountain click a parking area on the map above, and choose Google Driving Directions. The remainder of the time is his own. All Rights Reserved. The Phelps is steeper than the Table Top herd path, and although the sign says 1 mile, it appears to be 1.2 miles to the summit. Phelps is a short hike compared to the rest of the 46. 1) No Camping above 4,000 feet 2) No camping withing 150 feet of a stream or other water source except at a designated campsite. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Phelps Mountain is 1 of the 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks. Ten More Miles combines the talents of Brian, Molly, and Dean to produce something special: a collection of folk, blues, and bluegrass influenced Christmas songs. (2), ADK LOJ, High Peaks Info Center & Van Hoevenberg Trail Parking. I made it back to the Phelps trail at 12:07pm. From there it is only another 0.6 - 0.7 miles to the summit. Trail marker.The trail can be steep at time and there is some scrabbling up a few small rock faces. Explore the best trails in Phelps, New York on TrailLink. You have to scramble up some ridiculous rocks and tree routes, and it definitely took our breath away (I'm not talking about the views! Number thirty-two in height in the Adirondacks and one that is often missed being on the trail to Mt. Marcy, he always called it Mt Mearcy. Have a great winter out there hiking, too! Phelps Mountain: After researching which peak to tackle I decided on Phelps Mountain. Yeah, the weather was crummy, when I get cold and wet I head back to the car ASAP, changed into warm clothes, and make my way to a bar! Phelps Mountain is named after Orson Schofield Phelps, also known as "Old Mountain Phelps… 8.5-ish miles over moderate to easy terrain, with less than a mile of steep climbing. The winds at the top of Phelps were whipping – probably 30 miles per hour or more. Phelps Mountain is located in Essex County, New York. Celebrate Christmas with Wallen and Phelps! © 2006-2020 SummitPost.org. Normal Adirondack restrictions. It was chilly too – and we were sweaty from our hike – so we quickly started back down the mountain after a … Phelps Mountain Trail Conditions These posts have been tagged with Phelps Mountain NY , or are within 1.5 miles of it. January 6, 2014.  When it started to rain I aborted the mission. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/phelps-mountain-trail Hiked with Jill and Ken, our third ADK high peaks hike in as many days. Continuing past the Dam, stay on the Marcy trail. But, continue to follow the trail to Tabletop, as you'll want to see the more open view of the High Peaks from Phelps later in the day, which provides better lighting for photography. The sun was shining through the snow covered trees, which were creaking from the cold. The trail itself is relatively easy. The beginning of the hike was beautiful scenery, and a slow but steady incline up the mountain. Phelps is one of the few mountains in the world that are actually named after mountaineer. Trail marker. Half an hour later I was back at the junction, turning right to get back onto the Van Hoevenberg trail and heading toward Phelps. Mountain Conditions. We estimated that it would take us roughly two hours to reach the summit of Phelps, which was just over 3 miles away from the Marcy Dam. ( local etiquette is to use a stove and not a fire), Some good sites: ADk 46ers Adirondack Hiking Portal. It was rated a 4/10 on most difficulty scales. It's a hiker's dream, with over 2,000 miles of trails to explore. Summary: Phelps is one of the easiest of the 46’ers to … Orson Schofield Phelps (1817-1905) a.k.a. The first 2 miles are a really nice, fairly easy walk to Marcy Dam. Soggy and foggy conditions. The first two miles to Marcy Dam are relatively flat, with the elevation gain picking up in the next mile after. However, leaving then would’ve been too late to get to the summit of Phelps to watch the sunrise, so we decided to leave our campsite at 3:00 am. Phelps Mountain (4,161) via Van Hoevenberg and Phelps trails, July 24, 2016. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station. C'est l'un des hauts sommets qui va de l'Adirondack Loj au sommet de Phelps à 4160 pieds. --George Saunders, last words, Routes 3) No soap or washing withing 150 feet of water 4) Pack it in Pack it out is the rule for garbage 5) Only dead and down wood can be used for fires and set in a proper fire pit. (1), Images Phelps Mountain is 1 of the 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks. The trail will eventually cross Phelps Brook. Mileage: 9.5 miles (RT)* Elevation gain: 2,530' Trailhead: The Van Hoevenberg trailhead is located at the ADK/HPIC parking lot (at the end of Adirondack Loj Rd, Lake Placid). Phelps is a good mountain to climb when pressed for time or when arriveing late in the day since the trail is good and very easy to find. It took me about 4 hours and 45 minutes from start to finish, with a couple of short breaks and some lingering at the summit. (40), Climber's Log Entries After another mile or so, the trail to Phelps Mountain began. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' The normal route is to park at Adirondack Loj and follow the Van Hoevenberg trail to Mt Marcy and take a sharp left turn after about 3 miles at the Phelps Mt. Historical Weather. We arrived at the junction at Marcy Dam at about 11:40. All content, pictures, and text are property of Chris Dailey unless otherwise noted. Phelps is named for Old Man Phelps, the well-known guide who cut the first trail up Marcy and led many trips to its summit. Phelps Mountain is the 32nd highest peak in the Adirondacks. With more than 32 Phelps trails covering 604 miles, you’re bound to find a perfect trail like the Auburn-Fleming Trail or Hojack Trail. The sun peeked out more and lit up the crystalized moisture in the air – I hope you can see it in the photos! Though prepared, my primal survival instincts demand that I get out of the weather when it's "cold" and raining. Some of the locals and to my surprise many people of New York still use this pronunciation. Phelps is one of the few mountains in the world that are actually named after mountaineer. At just under 9 miles RT and 2300 ' of gain to the summit of 4160', Phelps is one of the easier ADK high peak hikes and on a 20 degree day with bright sun and lovely ice flows it was a lot of fun. Sunlit crystals in the air. Snow being the great trail leveler made it a smooth trip to the top. The trail itself is relatively easy. It is not a bald peak but there were supposed to be good views at the top. Mount Phelps (incorrectly named"McClain Peaks" on the USGS map) is arguably the most prominent looking summit visible when looking east from the Bellevue-Kirkland-Redmond area. What's in a name. There was one section that was detoured into the woods, on a… "Good-bye. Given its accessibility and the regular use of its trails, Phelps is also a popular mountain to ski or snowshoe during the winter. Phelps Mountain is a mountain in Wyoming and has an elevation of 10,748 feet. My hands and feet never got cold. He also named a good number of the summits and quickly became a legend in the area thanks to writers like Charles Dudley Warner and was able to ask for the outrageous fee of $2.50 to $5.00 a day.In the late 18th century the climb to Marcy was normally a two to three day trip from Lake Placid one way. At 4,161 feet, it was the highest peak we have climbed so far, and our 3rd high peak. We stopped and had something to drink and a couple snacks. View Phelps Mountain Image Gallery - 40 Images. On Thursday, July 20th, my daughter and I hiked Phelps Mountain. The trail to Phelps Mountain follows the Marcy trail for the first three miles. 12/26/2010: Winter Climb of Phelps Mountain in the Adirondacks! Old Mountain Phelps was the one who cut the first trail up to Mt Marcy as well he guided the first women to the top. If you doubt me, try it.I would love to see the guides at Zermatt, Chamonix or Rainier do all this for their 5$ a day.Though he most likely never climbed this peak it is most fitting it is named for him. I see it many days, and had wanted to climb it since climbing Lennox Mountain in May 2005. Resting in the heart of the High Peaks Wilderness Area, it boasts some of the best views in the area. There is a fee for parking. That sounds like a cool route to Dix, I'm hoping one day to check it out. I am leaving because I am bored." Old Mountain Phelps was the one who cut the first trail up to Mt Marcy as well he guided the first women to the top. From there it was only 2.1 miles to the summit of Phelps. Meg and Sammy at Marcy Dam. Orson Schofield Phelps (1817-1905) a.k.a. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. One final note is that Phelps till his dieing day never called Mt. Marcy. Walking with a ~20 lb pack on your back gets you warm pretty fast! At times, the Phelps Mountain Trail is quite steep and feels very arduous. The trail remains the same in … We started upward and found that the approach was an easy open forest with a mix of hard/soft woods. For example, the Phelps can be found east of Marcy Dam and north of Mount Marcy. Snowshoeing. Chad Phelps stops for a photo on his 106-mile ride, his longest ride to date. The nearest weather station for both precipitation and temperature measurements is MOUNTAINBURG 2 NE which is approximately 19 miles away and has an elevation of 793 feet (1,520 feet lower than Phelps Mountain). You are more than welcome to link back to my blog, use in articles, email, social media, etc. Over a very long career he guided many parties to its summit and many others as well and is most remebered for his close assiation with Verplanck Colvin. It was anything but easy, but it sure was beautiful. Summiting Phelps From the trail junction, it is a 1.2 mile (2 km) hike UP. 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