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4,361 ft · Adirondack High Peaks, New York

Seward Mountain

Seward Mountain is a 4,361 ft peak in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York. The standard route is the Seward, Donaldson, and Emmons: 16 mi, 3,956 ft of gain, Class 2.

Seward Mountain in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York

Seward Mountain at a glance

  • Elevation4,361 ft1,329 m
  • RouteSeward, Donaldson, and EmmonsClass 2
  • Distance16 mi3,956 ft gain
  • Time12 – 14 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeAdirondack High PeaksNew York

Climbing the Seward, Donaldson, and Emmons

From the Coreys Road and Seward trailhead near Tupper Lake, New York, the Seward Range is reached via the Ward Brook truck trail and steep, muddy herd paths. Seward is trailless with slick, eroded climbing and lots of mud. It is often combined with Donaldson and Emmons in a long interior day. Navigation helps on the herd paths in poor visibility, and views are few. Remote with quick weather changes. Carry a map and headlamp, start before dawn, and expect messy, strenuous terrain.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (25–35 L)
  • Water
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline Maps
  • Compass
  • Paper Map
  • GPS Device
  • 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

  • Stream crossing
  • Low visibility
  • Remote location
  • Slippery terrain
  • Insects

Quests with Seward Mountain

Peaks near Seward Mountain

  1. Mount Donaldson

    Mount Donaldson

    4,140 ft · 0.7 mi away

  2. Mount Emmons

    Mount Emmons

    4,040 ft · 1.3 mi away

  3. Seymour Mountain

    Seymour Mountain

    4,120 ft · 1.3 mi away

  4. Couchsachraga Peak

    Couchsachraga Peak

    3,820 ft · 4.8 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Seward Mountain?

Seward Mountain is 4,361 feet (1,329 m) tall. It is in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York.

How does Seward Mountain rank among the Adirondack 46ers?

At 4,361 feet, Seward Mountain is the 24th highest of the 46 Adirondack 46ers. The highest is Mount Marcy.

How hard is it to hike Seward Mountain?

The Seward, Donaldson, and Emmons is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 16 miles with 3,956 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Seward Mountain?

Most people take 12 – 14 hours round trip on the Seward, Donaldson, and Emmons, covering 16 miles with 3,956 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Seward Mountain?

The Seward, Donaldson, and Emmons needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 16 miles with 3,956 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 Seward Mountain?

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 Seward Mountain?

The Seward, Donaldson, and Emmons starts at about 1,740 feet, roughly 2,621 feet below the summit.

Climb Seward Mountain 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