Hiking New York's 7th tallest peak
Gray Peak is the 7th tallest of the Adirondack High Peaks. It is a steep, long, and serious hike that requires significant preparation. A successful hike of Gray involves research, physical fitness, the right gear, and knowledge of Leave No Trace principles.
Key takeaways
- Distance: 18 miles round trip
- Elevation: 4,480 feet
- Elevation gain: 3,655 feet
- Based on hiking from Upper Works
- Hike includes steep rock slab, trail junctions, and unmarked trail
Hiking Gray Peak
Gray sits right off the west shoulder of Mount Marcy, and can be approached from a few different directions. A hike of Gray via the Adirondack Loj is also a typical way to summit Gray Peak, by climbing over Mount Marcy and descending to Four Corners. There are great camping opportunities at Uphill and Feldspar lean-tos if you wanted to make a weekend of the hike. Described below is the hike from Upper Works.
From Upper Works follow the trail to Flowed Lands and Lake Colden. The trails around Flowed Lands and Lake Colden have ups and downs, which will slow you down a little as you climb over boulders. Continue past Uphill lean-to, and just before reaching Feldspar lean-to, continue a steady hike up towards Lake Tear of the Clouds and Four Corners. A couple hundred feet before Lake Tear of the Clouds will be an obvious, yet unmarked, trail that leads for just under a half mile to the mostly-treed summit of Gray.
Gray Peak in the winter
Gray Peak is a challenging mountain that should only be attempted by experienced hikers, especially in winter, so make sure you are prepared. Snowshoes are necessary, and snow spikes or crampons are needed to climb some of the steeper sections of the peak. Plan on temperatures in the higher elevations being at least 20 degrees colder than at the trailhead, not including the windchill. Bring several extra non-cotton layers, a headlamp with spare batteries, extra food, a windbreaker, goggles, a face mask, and supplies for spending the night in case of an emergency.
Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub
Does Gray Peak sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? With the Adirondack Hub being at the center of so many trails, we’re sure to find the best hike for you!
How to get there
From exit 29 off I-87, turn west onto Blue Ridge Road (CR 84) toward Newcomb. Follow this route for 17.4 miles to an intersection with Tahawus Road (CR 25). Turn right on Tahawus Road and stay on it for 6.3 miles then turn left at a sign for High Peaks trails. Pass by the old blast furnace at 2.8 miles up this road. From the blast furnace, it is less than one mile to your destination. The road dead ends at the Upper Works parking lot.
