Porter Mountain is a gorgeous peak that is frequently summited in conjunction with the very popular Cascade Mountain. It features a small rock summit, and a rock ledge with fantastic views.
Height: 4,058 feet (1237 meters)
Distance: 5.6 miles (9.01 km)
Elevation Gain: 2,293 feet ( 698.9 meters)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Duration: 4-5 hours
Trails
Cascade Mountain Trail – 5.6 miles
This trail is the most common way for hikers to summit Cascade Mountain and Porter 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 of porter in 2.8 miles. The junction for the summits of Cascade Mountain and Porter Mountain is located 2.1 miles into the trail.
Trail Map
Directions
There is parking along NY-73 in various spots near the trailhead.
Winter Hiking
Porter Mountain is a fantastic winter hike due to the relatively short distance. It also doesn’t feature many steep or dangerous ice sections making it a frequently hiked winter ascent.
Weather Forecast
Lake Placid, NY
Overnight
Scattered rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind around 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday
Scattered rain showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. West wind 12 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind 12 to 16 mph.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 60. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday Night
Rain showers likely after 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday
Rain showers before 3pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. South wind 7 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Pictures
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