Phelps Mountain
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About Phelps Mountain
Phelps Mountain rises to 4,161 feet (1,268 m) and is the thirty-second highest peak in New York. Located near Mount Marcy in the heart of the High Peaks region, Phelps offers some of the best views relative to effort in the Adirondacks. The mountain is named after Orson Schofield "Old Mountain" Phelps, a famous 19th-century Adirondack guide. The summit features an open rocky area with spectacular panoramic views of the High Peaks, including Mount Marcy, Algonquin, and the Great Range. Phelps is accessed via a well-maintained 1.2-mile side trail that branches off from the Van Hoevenberg Trail to Marcy, making it a popular day hike from the Adirondak Loj.
History
Phelps Mountain honors Orson Schofield Phelps (1817-1905), a legendary Adirondack guide known as 'Old Mountain Phelps,' who cut the first trail up Mount Marcy in 1861 and named several High Peaks. Phelps was a colorful character who became friends with many of the early Adirondack explorers and writers, including photographer Seneca Ray Stoddard. The mountain was one of his favorite spots to take clients for views of the High Peaks. The current trail to Phelps was established in the early 20th century and has been maintained by the Adirondack Mountain Club. Due to its relatively short trail (only about 1.2 miles from the main Van Hoevenberg Trail) and rewarding summit views, Phelps has become one of the more popular destinations in the High Peaks Wilderness, especially for hikers looking for a moderate day hike with exceptional scenery.
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