Cascade Mountain is located in Lake Placid, NY and features incredible views of many Adirondack high peaks, Lake Champlain, and even the Green Mountains of Vermont. Due to the outstanding views, and ease of access, this is one of the most popular hikes in all 4 seasons.
Height: 4,098 feet (1,249 meters)
Distance: 4.8 miles (7.72 km)
Elevation Gain: 1,899 feet (579 meters)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Duration: 4-5 hours
Trails
Cascade Mountain Trail – 4.8 miles
This trail is the most common way for hikers to summit Cascade Mountain. It is an out and back trail that features a mostly gradual gain to the summit. Around 1.8 miles into the trail, you will get your fits good views, and will reach the summit in 2.4 miles.
Porter Mountain is often combined with Cascade Mountain and ads 1.4 miles total to the hike with a quick out and back trip.
Trail Map
Hiking in Winter
Cascade Mountain is a great option for a winter hike due to the short mileage and popularity of hikers. It does feature a few icy and steep sections that microspikes will help greatly in. The summit is exposed and can be very windy and cold in winter months.
Directions
There is parking along NY-73 in various spots near the trailhead.
Weather Forecast
Lake Placid, NY
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. South wind 7 to 12 mph.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. South wind 6 to 16 mph.
Saturday Night
A chance of rain showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. South wind 17 to 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday
Rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 49. South wind 23 to 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
Rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southwest wind 15 to 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday
A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 9 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday Night
A slight chance of rain showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.
Pictures
Cascade Mountain trailhead sign from road
Looking up towards Cascade Mountain Summit
Views of Cascade Mountain from Porter Mountain
Trail Junction between Porter Mountain and Cascade Mountain
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about