Phelps Mountain (New York)

Phelps Mountain is a mountain located in Essex County, New York. The mountain is named after Orson Schofield "Old Mountain" Phelps (1817–1905), who cut the first trail up Mount Marcy and named several of the Adirondack peaks. It is the 32nd highest peak in New York.[5] Phelps Mountain is flanked to the southeast by Table Top Mountain.

Phelps Mountain
Phelps Mountain is located in New York Adirondack Park
Phelps Mountain
Phelps Mountain
Location of Phelps Mountain within New York
Phelps Mountain is located in the United States
Phelps Mountain
Phelps Mountain
Phelps Mountain (the United States)
Highest point
Elevation4,161 ft (1,268 m) NGVD 29[1]
ListingAdirondack High Peaks 32nd[2]
Coordinates44°9.42′N 73°55.29′W / 44.15700°N 73.92150°W / 44.15700; -73.92150[3]
Geography
LocationNorth Elba, Essex County, New York
Parent rangeAdirondack Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Keene Valley
Climbing
First ascentJune 1904, by Charles Wood[4]
Easiest routeHike
A stream on the way to Phelps Mountain from the Adirondak Loj

Phelps Mountain stands within the watershed of the West Branch of the Ausable River, which drains into Lake Champlain, thence into Canada's Richelieu River, the Saint Lawrence River, and into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The south side of Phelps Mtn. drains into Phelps Brook, thence into Marcy Brook, and the Ausable's West Branch. The northwest side of Phelps Mtn. drains into Pelkey Brook, thence into Marcy Brook. The northeast side of Phelps drains into Klondike Brook, thence into Marcy Brook.

Phelps is climbed regularly, and has a well marked trail. The trail is rocky and is very steep in some parts of the final approach to the summit. There are good views of Marcy, Colden, and Algonquin near the summit. There are also views of the ridge formed by Table Top, Yard, and Big Slide. There is a partial view of The Great Range, and Giant can be seen in the distance.

Phelps Mountain is within the High Peaks Wilderness Area of the Adirondack State Park.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Goodwin, Tony, ed. (2021). Adirondack trails. High peaks region (15th ed.). Adirondack Mountain Club. pp. 286–287. ISBN 9780998637181.
  2. ^ "The Peaks – Adirondack 46ers". adk46er.org. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Phelps Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  4. ^ Carson, Russell M. L. (1927). Peaks and People of the Adirondacks. Garden City: Doubleday. pp. 208–210. ISBN 9781404751200.
  5. ^ Goodwin, Tony, and David Thomas-Train, Editors. High Peaks Trails, 14th Edition. Lake George, NY: Adirondack Mountain Club, 2012. p.254
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