Hiking New York's 15th highest peak

Redfield is the 15th tallest of the Adirondack 46 High Peaks. It is a long, serious hike that requires significant preparation. A successful hike of Mount Redfield involves research, physical fitness, the right gear, and knowledge of Leave No Trace principles.

Redfield was named for Professor William C. Redfield: meteorologist, organizer of, and participant in, the first recorded ascent of Mount Marcy.

Key takeaways

• Elevation: 4,606 feet
• Distance: 16.8 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 3,400 feet
• Hike includes trail junctions, unmarked trail, bridges, and ladders
• Based on an out and back ascent from Upper Works via the Calamity Brook Trail

Hiking Redfield via Calamity Brook

Mount Redfield is often climbed with Cliff Mountain. Below is a description of the approach via Upper Works and the Calamity Brook Trail. Redfield via the Adirondack Loj is the other main way to approach this mountain.

From the Upper Works parking area and historic MacNaughton Cottage, follow a long and somewhat flat approach which initially starts along an old woods road. As the route narrows back to a foot trail you will follow along some attractive waterways and eventually climb modestly to the shore of Flowed Lands. You'll hand left around Flowed Lands, and in around 1 mile you'll cross Lake Colden and the dam. From there head towards Uphill lean-to. Once you reach this area you will see a small cairn on the right side which marks the start of the trail from Redfield and Cliff. Follow this trail to a second cairn.

The Redfield route is the main one and continues straight, right goes to Cliff. If you choose to tack on Cliff, expect to add 1.8 miles and 875 feet of elevation gain round trip.  From here you will hike along a gorgeous brook and at times in it. Be sure to take time to look back every now and then to enjoy the views as they open up. There are many attractive small waterfalls along the way as well. The summit of Redfield is a large boulder, offering nice views.

Redfield in the winter

Redfield 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 microspikes or crampons are needed to climb some of the steeper sections, particularly if you add on Cliff Mountain. 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. The water crossings on the hike can be especially dangerous during the beginning and end of winter. Always use caution at water crossings. Turning around is always an option. 

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Does Redfield 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.

This lake is on north of the town of Newcomb, with nice views of the Santanoni Range and Ermine Brook Slide. Because you have to park at the beginning of the road that leads to Camp Santanoni, the hike to Moose Pond is a long one! There are some designated primitive tent sites on Moose Pond that can allow you to extend your stay in this backcountry body of water.

Key statistics

• Distance: 14 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 1,450 feet

Hiking

The hike will take you on Newcomb Lake Road for 2.25 miles before you take a left onto Moose Pond Road, which is more of a hiking trail nowadays. Continue on this until you've hiked around 6.7 miles, where there will be a fork. Go left at the fork to reach tent sites with water access.

Fishing

• Size: 185 acres.
• Mean depth: 24 feet 
• Species: lake trout, brook trout

On the southwest slope of Mount Marcy sits Lake Tear of the Clouds. It's famous for many reasons, including its role in a presidency. A successful hike of Lake Tear of the Clouds involves research, physical fitness, the right gear, and knowledge of Leave No Trace principles. 

Key takeaways

• Distance: 17.4 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 3,175 feet
• Hike includes trail junctions and bridges
• Based on a hike from Upper Works

Hiking Lake Tear of the Clouds

From the Upper Works parking area and historic MacNaughton Cottage, follow a long and somewhat flat approach which initially starts along an old woods road. As the route narrows back to a foot trail you will follow along some attractive waterways and eventually climb modestly to the shore of Flowed Lands. You'll hand left around Flowed Lands, and in around 1 mile you'll cross Lake Colden and the dam. From there head towards Uphill lean-to. Once there, bear left towards the Feldspar lean-to, where there will be a T-intersection. Go straight (do not go left towards Lake Arnold), and steadily ascend around 1,000 feet to Lake Tear of the Clouds. Return the way you came.

Lake Tear can also be hiked from the Adirondack Loj.

Lake Tear in the winter

Hiking Lake Tear of the Clouds in the winter should only be attempted by experienced hikers, so make sure you are prepared. Snowshoes are necessary, and microspikes are often needed to climb the steeper sections. 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. Turning around is always an option. Do not attempt to go onto Flowed Lands and Lake Colden during the shoulders seasons and during bouts of warmer weather.

History

On September 14, 1901, then-US Vice President Teddy Roosevelt was at Lake Tear of the Clouds after returning from a hike to Mount Marcy. While there, he received a message informing him that President William McKinley had taken a turn for the worse after being shot two weeks earlier. McKinley was originally expected to survive the gunshot. Roosevelt hiked from Lake Tear of the Clouds back down to Tahawus where he began his infamous 40-mile midnight stage coach ride to the railroad station in North Creek. It was in North Creek that Roosevelt learned McKinley had died and on the train to Buffalo, Roosevelt was sworn in as President.

Lake Tear of the Clouds is also cited as the source of the Hudson River, which begins its 315-mile journey to New York City in the Adirondack Mountains.

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Does Lake Tear of the Clouds 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.