Summiting the Adirondacks: Conquering the 46 High Peaks

Cliff Mountain

After turning back from Cliff Mountain in winter due to unsafe icy conditions and the late hour, I was determined to return and conquer this High Peak. This time, we approached from a different direction, hiking the Calamity Trail from Upper Works. The trail, despite its endless mud, was beautiful—filled with scenic waterfalls and inviting swimming holes. I made a mental note to always pack a bathing suit in warmer months for a refreshing dip after a long hike.

It was humid, but thankfully not raining, though Hurricane Debby had recently soaked the area, making the trail extra muddy. The hike was fairly easy until we reached the turnoff for Cliff Mountain, where the real challenge began. The herd path was distinct, but we had to navigate around the muddiest spots. When we reached the base of the first cliff, it seemed far less intimidating than it had in February. With my experience in rock climbing and love for scrambling, the ascent was much easier this time. However, it required caution—careful foot placement, using hiking sticks, and occasionally relying on tree roots. I'm always cautious with roots; you never know when one might snap, but they're helpful when scaling up and down.

One thing about hiking is that just when you think you've reached the summit, you often haven't. Thankfully, our devices helped us track our progress. Cliff Mountain, standing at 3,960 feet, is our 32nd peak in the 46 High Peaks challenge. Though it falls just short of 4,000 feet, it's still considered a 46er due to early surveying errors. Reaching the summit and seeing the mountain sign was incredibly rewarding. We split a sandwich at the top—it tasted amazing after all that effort. After a few photos, we began our descent.

There weren't many views at the summit, but a few spots along the way offered stunning glimpses of surrounding peaks we had previously climbed. A lesson we learned was always to check your GPS. We were about 10 minutes off the trail heading up to Redfield, a peak we'd hiked in February, but thankfully, we weren't too far gone.

We took one last rest stop on a bridge crossing over Lake Colden, soaking in the incredible view of Colden Mountain rising in the background. We dangled our legs over the water, enjoying a well-deserved snack and replenishing our electrolytes. As we rested, we couldn't help but reflect on how glad we were to have completed Cliff Mountain. We also chatted about where we'd go for dinner, letting our cravings guide us after putting in so many miles on the trail.

Cliff Mountain, though shorter in elevation, certainly doesn't hold back. Its beautiful waterfalls, steep rock scrambles, and relentless mud challenge even the most seasoned hikers. That evening, we watched the moon rise over Schroon Lake, its orange glow casting a peaceful light on the water. We savored a cold beer, the first in a long time, and it tasted especially rewarding after such a tough hike. The shower and bed that followed felt equally incredible—simple pleasures that truly cap off an adventure like this.