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4,926 ft · Adirondack High Peaks, New York

Mount Skylight

Mount Skylight is a 4,926 ft peak in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York. The standard route is the Skylight, Marcy and Gray Peak Loop Trail: 18 mi, 5,022 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Skylight in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York

Mount Skylight at a glance

  • Elevation4,926 ft1,501 m
  • RouteSkylight, Marcy and Gray Peak Loop TrailClass 2
  • Distance18 mi5,022 ft gain
  • Time12 – 14 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeAdirondack High PeaksNew York

Climbing the Skylight, Marcy and Gray Peak Loop Trail

From the Upper Works trailhead near Tahawus, New York, or the Adirondak Loj, Skylight sits deep in the interior past Lake Tear of the Clouds. It is a long approach on the Feldspar and Four Corners trails, often paired with Gray and Marcy. Tradition says to carry a rock to the summit cairn. The open top is exposed to wind and rapidly changing weather, and trails are muddy and rooty. Plan a very long day of 16 or more miles. Start well before dawn and carry plenty of water and a headlamp.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (25–35 L)
  • Water
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline Maps
  • Compass
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Headlamp
  • Power Bank
  • Hiking Boots
  • Trekking Poles
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Light Gloves
  • Buff
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • Snow near summit
  • Ice near summit
  • Stream crossing
  • High winds
  • Storms
  • Cold summit conditions
  • Rapid weather shifts
  • Low visibility

Mount Skylight on Yak

Climbers have shared 8 climbs of Mount Skylight on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app

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Quests with Mount Skylight

Peaks near Mount Skylight

  1. Gray Peak

    Gray Peak

    4,840 ft · 0.9 mi away

  2. Mount Redfield

    Mount Redfield

    4,606 ft · 0.9 mi away

  3. Mount Marcy

    Mount Marcy

    5,344 ft · 1.0 mi away

  4. Mount Haystack

    Mount Haystack

    4,960 ft · 1.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Skylight?

Mount Skylight is 4,926 feet (1,501 m) tall. It is in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York.

How does Mount Skylight rank among the Adirondack 46ers?

At 4,926 feet, Mount Skylight is the 4th highest of the 46 Adirondack 46ers. The highest is Mount Marcy.

How hard is it to hike Mount Skylight?

The Skylight, Marcy and Gray Peak Loop Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 18 miles with 5,022 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Skylight?

Most people take 12 – 14 hours round trip on the Skylight, Marcy and Gray Peak Loop Trail, covering 18 miles with 5,022 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Mount Skylight?

The Skylight, Marcy and Gray Peak Loop Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 18 miles with 5,022 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

When is the best time to hike Mount Skylight?

The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

What is the trailhead elevation for Mount Skylight?

The Skylight, Marcy and Gray Peak Loop Trail starts at about 2,190 feet, roughly 2,736 feet below the summit.

Climb Mount Skylight with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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