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:Â 4,058 feet (1237 meters)
Distance: 5.6Â miles (9.01 km)
Elevation Gain:Â Â 2,293 feet ( 698.9 meters)
Difficulty:Â Intermediate
Duration:Â 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
Tonight
A chance of snow showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. West wind 12 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday
A chance of snow showers after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 20. Wind chill values as low as 0. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph.
Monday Night
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Northwest wind around 12 mph.
Tuesday
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20. West wind 12 to 17 mph.
Tuesday Night
A chance of snow showers before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. West wind 14 to 20 mph.
Wednesday
Snow showers likely after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. Southwest wind 13 to 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Wednesday Night
Snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 22. Southwest wind 23 to 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
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