Whiteface Mountain and Esther Mountain in Adirondack Park, NY

Hike Whiteface Mountain and Esther Mountain Adirondack Park, NY

Class 1 9.4 miles 3900 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Jun 29, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Whiteface Mountain is one of the Adirondack High Peaks, but it's located farther from most of the more famous ones. The hike up Whiteface Mountain starts with a short descent along a dirt road before climbing steeply up what felt like what could have been the remains of an old powerline clearing. The wide trail heads up the mountain face in basically a direct line without switchbacks or thought of any sort. There's a nice viewpoint at the top of the steep section listed on some maps at Marble Mountain (though it's really not a "mountain" of any note), before the trail becomes more pleasant, winding up through the forest along Whiteface Mountain's east ridge.

Eventually I hit the junction with Esther Mountain, which I would head up to later. The trail continues onward toward Whiteface Mountain, a couple of Class 2 boulder-hopping sections to contend with, before reaching a massive human-built wall constructed for the road that leads to the summit. The trail follows this wall briefly and then ascends some boulders as it parallels the road. I'd say this section to the summit was the best part of the hike, where normally nice views (I had mostly fog) are visible most of the way up.

On my way back, I took a detour to Esther Mountain, which involved ascending and re-ascending the bump known as Lookout Mountain before reaching the forested and viewless Esther Mountain.

Unfortunately, my camera broke halfway through this hike, so I resorted to using my phone for photos.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Whiteface Mountain
4865 ft
3093 rise
2
Lookout Mountain
4085 ft
115 rise
3
Esther Mountain
4239 ft
302 rise

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Starting along the Whiteface Mountain Trail, a short section of descent along a road.
Starting along the Whiteface Mountain Trail, a short section of descent along a road.
Whiteface Mountain Trail. Marble Mountain is the name for a minor bump near the viewpoint I'd pass along the trail. Weird that the signage reads this minor bump with no reference to Whiteface Mountain.
Whiteface Mountain Trail. Marble Mountain is the name for a minor bump near the viewpoint I'd pass along the trail. Weird that the signage reads this minor bump with no reference to Whiteface Mountain.
Steep, straight line up to Marble "Mountain".
Steep, straight line up to Marble "Mountain".
Image 3 from gallery
Marble Mountain viewpoint, looking south.
Marble Mountain viewpoint, looking south.
Marble Mountain viewpoint, looking west toward the ridge leading to Whiteface Mountain.
Marble Mountain viewpoint, looking west toward the ridge leading to Whiteface Mountain.
The trail becomes more pleasant after leaving the steep, straight line. It heads up Whiteface Mountain's east ridge.
The trail becomes more pleasant after leaving the steep, straight line. It heads up Whiteface Mountain's east ridge.
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Some minor sections of typical Adirondack rocky trails.
Some minor sections of typical Adirondack rocky trails.
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Junction with Esther Mountain. I continued to Whiteface Mountain first.
Junction with Esther Mountain. I continued to Whiteface Mountain first.
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A section of light Class 2 boulder-hopping for a bit.
A section of light Class 2 boulder-hopping for a bit.
The trail hugs this rock wall created for the road leading to the summit.
The trail hugs this rock wall created for the road leading to the summit.
The trail meets the road and continues on the ridge on the left side of this photo (Class 2 move).
The trail meets the road and continues on the ridge on the left side of this photo (Class 2 move).
Looking back before I leave the road.
Looking back before I leave the road.
Whiteface Mountain becomes visible at the top of the ridge.
Whiteface Mountain becomes visible at the top of the ridge.
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Very pretty views (despite the fog) as I ascend to the summit of Whiteface Mountain.
Very pretty views (despite the fog) as I ascend to the summit of Whiteface Mountain.
Image 23 from gallery
Whiteface Mountain ahead.
Whiteface Mountain ahead.
Whiteface Mountain.
Whiteface Mountain.
I returned to the junction with the Esther Mountain Trail and headed that way.
I returned to the junction with the Esther Mountain Trail and headed that way.
First, the trail ascends over Lookout Mountain before continuing to Esther Mountain. It's barely a noticeable bump.
First, the trail ascends over Lookout Mountain before continuing to Esther Mountain. It's barely a noticeable bump.
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Image 31 from gallery
Esther Mountain summit.
Esther Mountain summit.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!