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Photographer: Louis Arevalo
Runner: Kathy Roberts, 54, of Plattsburgh, New York
Beta: Situated near Lake Placid in the Adirondacks, Mount Marcy, at 5,343 feet, has the distinction of being the highest peak in New York. Starting at the Adirondack Loj, the trail begins in a canopy of hardwoods. After several stream crossings, a bridge and a lake, the trail ends with a rocky, steep climb up into the krummholz and exposed slabs of moonrock, aka anorthosite.
The summit offers great views of the High Peaks of the Adirondacks. For a bigger day, you may tack on another peak, Phelps Mountain, which adds two miles and another 1,000 feet of vertical.
Distance: 14 miles roundtrip, 3,500 feet vertical gain.
Best Season: Summer through fall. Beware: the summer months can be very busy.