NOTICE TO HIKERS
Temporary Major Trailhead Relocations and Trail Reroutes
Effective Columbus Day and Canadian Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend (Fri, October 6 through Mon, October 9 2017)
DEC is taking the following actions to protect public safety at a very popular trailhead parking area in the Adirondacks during the busy holiday weekend.
Trailheads and trailhead parking for Cascade Mountain, Porter Mountain, and Pitchoff (West) Mountain will be relocated to the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex at 220 Bobsled Lane, Lake Placid, NY.
Pull-offs along State Route 73 in the vicinity of the current trailhead will be blocked and roadside parking will be prohibited.
State Police and County Sheriff Deputies will enforce the parking prohibition. Drivers may be ticketed and vehicles towed.
Temporary Access to Cascade Mountain Map – PDF
Hiking Trails
Cascade Mountain – A 2.0-mile marked route on the Olympic Sports Complex’s cross country ski trail system will connect hikers to the Cascade Mountain Trail via a newly constructed 0.6-mile connector trail. A round-trip hike using this route to the summit of Cascade Mountain is 8.6 miles long, a round-trip hike to the summit of Porter Mountain is 9.4 miles long.
Pitchoff Mountain – A 2.0 mile marked route across much of the same ski trail system will connect hikers to State Route 73. A 0.15-mile hike along the shoulder and across Route 73 will bring hikers to the access the current trailhead. A round-trip hike to the summit of Pitchoff Mountain using this route is 8.4 miles long.
Mt. Van Hoevenberg – The 1.6-mile trail (3.2 miles round trip) through the Olympic Sports Complex ascends 840 feet to 2,940-foot summit which provides amazing views of much of the High Peaks Wilderness and its many mountains.
Hikers seeking shorter hikes can check Hikes Outside the Adirondack High Peaks for hikes that will provide a similar experience and scenic views.
Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex
In addition to a safe place to park, hikers will be able to enjoy amenities such as bathrooms, food, and drink at the Cross Country Lodge is open 9:00 am to 4:30 pm daily. Also bobsled rides, mountain biking, and bus tours of the complex are available for a fee. (Olympic Sports Complex | Whiteface Mountain).