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Phelps Trail

A substantial route through the High Peaks region, this trail extends roughly 12.5 kilometers under NYSDEC management as part of the lean-to and wilderness network. The path is marked in two phases: yellow disks lead hikers to the Phelps and Hopkins junction, where the blazes shift to red for the continuation toward the Van Hoevenberg Trail. The dual-color system offers clear wayfinding through what is reported to be varied terrain, making the route accessible to those prepared for a longer day in the mountains.

§ Overview

Phelps Trail runs 7.8 miles (12.5 km) with about 3,471 feet of elevation gain — a demanding hike, with a moderate, steady climb, about 5 h 30 min on the trail. It reaches 4 named summits — Little Marcy (4,718 ft), Mount Marcy (5,344 ft), Little Haystack (4,662 ft), and Gooseberry Mountain (3,563 ft). NYSDEC maintains the route.

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Length
7.8 mi
Elevation gain
3,471 ft
Difficulty · est.
Demanding
Book time
5 h 37 m
§ Before you go
  • NYSDECOperator
  • lwnNetwork
From OpenStreetMap. Surface + access tags vary by trail.
Loading map…
Elevation profile
Max 4,833 ftMin 1,585 ftNet gain 3,471 ft
4,833 ft1,585 ft0 mi1.9 mi3.9 mi5.8 mi7.8 mi
§ Nearby parking

35 parking areas

Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data; surface and capacity from OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.

+27 more on the map above

NoticeHigh Peaks Region of the Adirondacks

The Phelps Trail, crossing of Johns Brook above Bushnell Falls

Source: NYS DEC · last updated 1 hour ago

§ On this trail

What you’ll find along the route

Peak
Little Marcy
4,718 ft
Peak
Mount Marcy
5,344 ft46er · No. 1
Peak
Little Haystack
4,662 ft
Peak
Gooseberry Mountain
3,563 ft
Lean-to
Bushnell Falls #1 Lean-To
15 m off
Lean-to
Slant Rock Lean-To
16 m off
Lean-to
Deer Brook Lean-To
31 m off
Lean-to
Wm. G. Howard Lean-To
41 m off
Lean-to
Bushnell Falls #2 Lean-To
42 m off
§ Closest essentials

Nearest, each within 25 miles

Coffee
Old Mountain Coffee Company
4.7 mi away
Restaurant
Noon Mark Diner
4.7 mi away
General store
East Branch Organics
7.9 mi away
Shelter
Orebed Brook Lean-to
0.4 mi away
§ Nearby Points of Interest
Peaks (11)
Lakes & ponds (44)
Trails (24)
Shelters (1)
  • Johns Brook Lodge0.5 mi
Lean-tos (82)
  • Orebed Brook Lean-to0.4 mi
  • Ore Bed Brook Lean-To0.4 mi
  • Camp Peggy O'Brien0.4 mi
  • Crandall Lean-to0.5 mi
  • Myers Lean-To0.6 mi
  • Goodwin Lean-To0.6 mi
  • Grace Camp0.6 mi
  • Wolf Jaw Lean-To0.7 mi
Primitive campsites (181)
  • Unnamed campsite0.4 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.4 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.4 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.4 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.4 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.4 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.8 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.8 mi
§ The Field Notes

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Field notes and corrections are reviewed before they appear publicly. Photos and Logbook entries post immediately.§ Maintain or steward this trail? Get in touch →
§ Stay near this trail
Keene Valley Lodge — hero image
1.5 miKeene

Keene Valley Lodge

Van Hoevenberg Cabins — hero image
5.3 miLake Placid

Van Hoevenberg Cabins

River Road Loj - Lake Placid log cabin rental — hero image
8.4 miLake Placid

River Road Loj - Lake Placid log cabin rental

§ From the field guides
All field guides →
§ Frequently asked