Whiteface Mountain
Description
WikipediaWhiteface Mountain is the fifth-highest mountain in the U.S. state of New York, and one of the High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains, located in the town of Wilmington in Essex County. Set apart from most of the other High Peaks, the summit offers a 360-degree view of the Adirondacks and clear-day glimpses of Vermont and Canada, where Montreal can be seen on a very clear day. Because of its relative isolation, the mountain is exposed to prevailing winds from the west and frequently capped with snow and ice, making it an area of interest to meteorologists. Weather data has been collected on the summit since 1937. The mountain's east slope is home to a major ski area which boasts the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies, and which hosted the alpine skiing competitions of the 1980 Winter Olympics. Unique among the High Peaks, Whiteface features a developed summit and seasonal accessibility by motor vehicle. The Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway (New York State Route 431) reaches a parking area at an elevation shortly below the summit, with the remaining distance covered by tunnel and elevator. The peak can also be reached on two hiking trails.
First ascent
Best months
Hiking score 0–100 · 10-yr climate averagesNeighbouring summits
| Name | Elevation | Bearing | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Whiteface Mountain | 1,111 m | SE 141° | 1.4 km |
| Lookout Mountain | 1,242 m | NE 42° | 1.8 km |
| Baldwin Hill | 984 m | NW 328° | 2.5 km |
| Esther Mountain | 1,293 m | NE 24° | 2.6 km |
| Eagle Eyrie | 802 m | SW 247° | 3.8 km |
| Marble Mountain | 833 m | NE 57° | 3.9 km |
Climbing routes
nearest first| Route | Area | Grade | From summit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falconer | Moss Cliff | 6c | 2.8 km |
| Brass Balls, Steel Nuts, and Sticky Rubber | Moss Cliff | 7c | 2.8 km |
| Hard Times | Moss Cliff | 5c | 2.8 km |
| The Mossiah | Moss Cliff | 6a+ | 2.8 km |
| A Touch of Class | Moss Cliff | 5c | 2.8 km |
| Spirit of Adventure | Moss Cliff | 6c | 2.8 km |
| Fear of Flying | Moss Cliff | 6a+ | 2.8 km |
| Mistah Luthah | Moss Cliff | 7b | 2.8 km |
| Fear of touching Aerie | Moss Cliff | 6b | 2.8 km |
| Berry Good | Bear Den | 6a | 3.1 km |
| Gold | Bear Den | 6a | 3.1 km |
| Bear Necessities | Bear Den | 6a | 3.1 km |
| Doesn't Remind Me | Bear Den | 6b | 3.1 km |
| Follow the Fire Hydrants | High Falls Crag | 7b+ | 3.1 km |
| Eye of Sauron | Polar Soldier Wall | 7c+ | 3.1 km |
| Polar Soldier | Polar Soldier Wall | 6c+ | 3.1 km |
| Vestibular Apparatus | Polar Soldier Wall | 6b+ | 3.1 km |
| Fat Free Warrior | Notch Mountain | 4b | 3.4 km |
| As She Is | Notch Mountain | 4c | 3.4 km |
| Daddy, Where are You? | Notch Mountain | 4b | 3.4 km |
| Return Home | Notch Mountain | 3+ | 3.4 km |
| And She Was | Notch Mountain | 3 | 3.4 km |
| Let's Go Golfing | Notch Mountain | 4a | 3.4 km |
| Men of Iron | Notch Mountain | 4c | 3.4 km |
| Healthy Hobbits | Notch Mountain | 5a | 3.4 km |