Hiking Mt. Marcy via the Van Hoevenberg Trail

Hiked the Van Hoevenberg Trail to the top of Mt. Marcy and back.
From where I parked my car and back, my Garmin said I hiked about 16 miles. Including breaks, this took about 9 hours to complete. I did this hike on June 18th.

[@supermamamaxi]

Nothing easy about that hike. I did it back in 1985. I went solo as well. Most beautiful place on the planet.

[@aliciasaunders9085]

🎉Love your work!! Keep up the great 👍 work!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@kfiresmith]

Love the candid take on this hike, first Mt Marcy video I've seen where there is some honesty about the difficulty and the slips etc weren't edited out. Appreciate the realness

[@PrentissC]

Yeah, in the rare moment that I catch myself slipping on camera, you can rest assure that it will make it in the video, or at least the blooper reel at the end lol...its just a part of hiking! And although I make these videos mostly for entertainment and for my future self and family, I do try to make them helpful for people interested in doing the hike, etc. Thanks for watching!

[@tonyhekopiano5892]

Excellent work.

[@pauldwyer7359]

I've hiked Marcy seven times since I first did it with my dad back in the late.1960s. I was.up there last year again. But there's always something nice about seeing someone doing it for the first time. I never get tired of watching these videos, and your's was one of the best I've seen recently. A couple of things: You're right, they're NOT mosquitoes , but black.flies. nasty little critters. A little secret is that if you hike in August they're a.lotess.of.a problem. They usually die out by the end.of July. Yu're ALSO right about going down the Mountain. Contrary to popular belief, gravity is NOT your friend. It's brutal on those knees. Try Algonquin Peak next time. That's the tallest one you see from Indian Falls. Once again, great hike, great Video. Keep.climbing. Maybe we'll see you up there next summer. Enjoy

[@PrentissC]

Great comment, and thanks for the complement! Yeah black flies were very annoying so that’s good to know about it being better in August. I saw at least one group of people hiking with bug nets over their heads so that gave me the idea to bring one of those if I make it up there earlier than August. I’ll be adding Algonquin peak to my list! I know that although Marcy is the highest peak in the Adirondacks, I’ve be told there are peaks there that are tougher to hike. Anyways thanks for the info!

[@pauldwyer7359]

@@PrentissC You're right. I haven't been up a lot of the Adirondack High Peaks, but after summiting Marcy 7 times (actually 6.9 times, this old man didn't quite make it past 5000 feet 2 years ago and had to return last year to redeem myself) I have also been up Algonquin 3 times, most recently Last month (August 13th). Shorter hike (just over 4 miles) but tougher and steeper. Though we did it in just under 3 hours. Then after adding a relatively easy Iroquois Peak a little while later, we returned via the other side, Avalanch Lake and Avalanche Pass. I don't think I'll do that again though. I climbed that side of Algonquin about 30 years ago when I was in my early 30s. Tough enough going UP. Going down however is summarized by one word: B-R-U-T-A-L. It's steep as h**l, very rocky, wet and muddy (pretty much like the rest of the Daks). But the steepness is very tough. And then Avalanche Lake, while relayevily level and a breathtaking route, is VERY rugged as well. Lots of boulders to go around, over and under. But a young fellow like you should be able to handle it. Just don't do it alone. Keep in touch. I'm enjoying our exchange here. God Bless

[@ryangoodman2980]

Awesome trail report! Really helped me get a sense for what to expect on the trail this weekend.

[@PrentissC]

Thanks! That's one of the main reasons why I make these kind of videos, so it's great to hear when they have helped or inspired someone.

[@erikjager4704]

Prentiss great video! I am Adirondacker native. You chose an extremely difficult hike, so you must be great shape. Don't hike in the Adirondacks between late May to mid June. Our black flies will drive you crazy. I like your commentary. Is there a way you could show your progress on a map video? Showing the trail distance sign was a good idea. I wanted to see your progress which would it easier to understandable. Trying climbing down that granite side at the end of your video after a rain. OUCH! Thanks for your victory!

[@jamesberry4514]

Elevation gain is still significant considering how close to sea level even upstate New York is. Also, considering e.g. Denver is over a mile high below the entire mountain range. Not that CO mountains aren't a long hike, but it's misleading to think many Adirondacks peaks are easy. One thing is sure though, no altitude issues in NY, which can be a factor in CO, WY, UT, MT e.g.

[@yankee5051]

Great video. Always fun to watch someone discover Mt. Marcy for the first time. FYI: The little 'rest area' near the river at 3:50 is the site of the old Marcy Dam which collapsed in 2011 during Hurricane Irene. The dam used to hold back the water of the Marcy Brook creating a small lake where the marshy area now lies. Still very picturesque though. Also, at 9:50 as you're saying "probably not too far from the top" the summit can be seen directly behind and just over your head. That's the spot where you generally get your first view of it. Looks far, but you come to realize that it's not all that scary once you can see it. Also, the view of the Macintyre Range from Indian Falls is magnificent. Algonquin Peak, New York's 2nd highest peak is at the center flanked on the right side by Wright Peak and on the left by Iroquois, the little nub just before everything to its left slopes down, with Boundary Peak being the ridge (sorta) between Algonquin and Iroquois. Note: Boundary doesn't officially qualify as a separate 'peak' because it doesn't rise enough from its surrounding terrain. But it's still necessary to go over it on the way from Algonquin to Iroquois. Keep hiking and be safe

[@NickandRachel]

Awesome hike man! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@PrentissC]

Thanks for watching!

[@NickandRachel]

@@PrentissC no problem! We really enjoy making outdoor content also

[@jaytheurbanviking]

Beautiful hike, thanks for sharing.

[@miguelacosta1494]

Keep up the great content, Prentiss. Enjoyed the video.

[@PrentissC]

Thanks Miguel, I appreciate it!

[@mattc1026]

I did Marcy in 1986. Started at South Meadow. It was an extremely warm day in September. 90+ degrees. I was in Stan Smith tennis shoes and otherwise unprepared. The next day, my feet were so swollen and sore, I couldn’t walk at all. But I did it.

[@theopenroadahead7301]

Absolutely loved this video - hiking Mt. Marcy is on my to-do list, and I was taking notes the entire time you were talking! Wish I had found your channel sooner - looking forward to watching more. Thanks for posting this!

[@nycjedi]

Great video, inspiring!

[@kinger99]

Great video - nice to get a preview of the trail!

[@bruhmagic1323]

Such a beautiful peak!🔥

[@peterjudson8599]

Thank You, Sir. I really enjoyed your narration and video. I am starting to get inspired, thanks to you, to do a second climb of Marcy. All the best👍

[@DoolallyProductions]

Thanks for the video man. I just moved to New York and have been looking for good places to hike.. I'll be adding this to the list.

[@PrentissC]

Yeah the Adirondacks area is great for hiking! I wish it were closer to where I live and I'd visit the area more often. Thanks for watching!

[@tonygallego1783]

Definitely beautiful views.

[@mykey_7943]

planning on hiking this in august. Thanks for the video!

[@PrentissC]

Thanks for watching, hope you had a good hike!

[@nataliedepto-vesey9504]

Doing this hike in two weeks, liked your video detail, helped me realize with what im.in for. Thanks!

[@PrentissC]

You’re welcome! I’m just now seeing your comment so you may have already done this hike, anyways glad to help anyone interested in hiking this route. Thanks for watching!

[@DefPirateGaming]

Nice video man! I enjoyed the views.

[@Brian-rr3nj]

Super cool. Subbed after seeing your fools loop bikepacking trip. I live in Arizona

[@PrentissC]

Then you probably have access to some great biking trails, I had a great time in Arizona! Thanks for subscribing!

[@Brian-rr3nj]

@@PrentissC yes we do. I tried taking my family on a bikepacking trip and we made it .4 miles. Lol. That's with a 7 year old included. Greats times though.

[@kofalin]

I just feel that every peak I reach gets me closer,,

[@solitaryrefinement6787]

On my hit list for 2021.

[@PrentissC]

Yeah definitely do this hike when you get a chance, it's tough, but worth it!

[@scasey1960]

Nice video - thanks

[@ejdoeseverything]

Great video - planning on doing this one next month. Also, had to chuckle at how similar our youtube channel names are. If you ever make it up to Maine, reach out!

[@BIGGESTYOUTUBER5399]

Hey u walked it yourself for u. I thinking I don't trust anyone to get there on time

[@RajBanerji]

I am going to do this next month!!! YaaaY

[@PrentissC]

Nice! This mountain offered the best views from the top of any other mountain I've hiked so far, enjoy!

[@michaelgilman7930]

How long did the whole thing take you from car to car? I’m thinking of climbing Marcy before doing Katahdin. Looking to see if I could squeeze the climb and 6 hour drive into one day.

[@PrentissC]

A little over 9 hours, that includes time I spent on rest breaks. Not sure if this will work, but this is the link to the gps track I recorded during this hike. There may be shorter routes to the top of Marcy, but this is the route I did. strava.app.link/5et8yt0KSyb

[@DeRocco21]

Have you ever done sawteeth??

[@jgreene2992]

Planning on doing this at the end of September. What time of year and what day of the week did you go? Thx

[@PrentissC]

Did this hike on June 18th of last year. It was a Friday.

[@jgreene2992]

@@PrentissC summited successfully on 9/30. Perfect day. A bit easier than I envisioned. Awesome nonetheless!

[@DeRocco21]

Be free from katadyn has such a great flow rate

[@BIGGESTYOUTUBER5399]

How many hours was that

[@PrentissC]

9 hours, which includes time spent on breaks

[@raiitaly]

could you take a bike part of the way?

[@PrentissC]

I mean it's possible that there are trails at the base of the mountain that are bike friendly, but the trails that I hiked to the top were hiking trails only. There were different trails at the base of the mountain, so it's possible that you could look into a shorter way to the top and back than the 17 miles that I did, I just don't know enough about the area to recommend a different way.

[@hellen70666666]

....:) You Needed High-Top Boots, instead....!!!....:)

[@Abc-hb4fg]

Good job! I did it solo last Saturday and its was a very good hike. You can see my montage on my channel⛰🤘