Location and surroundings
Mount Redfield sits in the widest-to-narrowest chain of North America Plains > Canadian Shield > Adirondack Mountains > Adirondack High Peaks > Marcy Group. It is in the United States, in New York, within Essex County and the Town of Keene. At 1,403 m, it is the 18th highest named peak in New York and the 9th highest of the 20 named peaks in the Marcy Group.
The mountain is surrounded by high, forested Adirondack terrain, with nearby summits close enough to shape the skyline and the route choices. The area is part of Adirondack Park and the High Peaks Wilderness, so travel is on wild ground rather than on a developed mountain trail network.
Neighbouring peaks
- Mount Skylight — 1,495 m, 1.5 km east; the nearest higher peak.
- McDonnel Mountain — 1,200 m, 2.1 km southeast.
- Gray Peak — 1,463 m, 2.1 km northeast.
- Cliff Mountain — 1,201 m, 2.2 km northwest.
- Schofield Cobble — 1,515 m, 2.5 km northeast.
- Little Nippletop — 1,132 m, 2.6 km southeast.
- Mount Marcy — 1,629 m, 2.8 km northeast.
- Allen Mountain — 1,312 m, 2.8 km south.
Mount Redfield is lower than several nearby High Peaks, especially Mount Marcy and Mount Skylight. Its position among closely spaced summits means the mountain is part of a compact high-country cluster rather than an isolated peak.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, the highest peaks include Algonquin Peak to the northwest at 1,555 m, Mount Haystack to the east at 1,498 m, Dix Mountain to the east at 1,473 m, Basin Mountain to the northeast at 1,468 m, Mount Colden to the north at 1,436 m, and Gothics to the northeast at 1,425 m. These are the main high points that define the broader Adirondack skyline around Redfield.
From the summit area, the surrounding High Peaks form a dense ring of ridges and summits, with Mount Marcy and Mount Skylight especially close by. The view is shaped by the same rugged upland that makes the approach long and route-finding important.
The range
Mount Redfield belongs to the Marcy Group, where Mount Marcy is the highest peak at 1,629 m, about 3 km northeast of Redfield. The group contains 20 named peaks, and Redfield ranks 9th by elevation among them.
The broader setting is the Adirondack High Peaks in the Adirondack Mountains. Redfield is one of the better-known high summits in this cluster, but it is not the highest point in the group; that role belongs to Mount Marcy.
Climbing routes
The mountain has no maintained trail to the summit. A commonly used route begins at the Uphill Lean-to along the Calamity Brook Trail, then follows Uphill Brook and a tributary stream to the top. This is an unmarked approach rather than a signed hiking trail.
In the wider Adirondack backcountry, hikers also use longer approaches from the Upper Works trailhead, and some combine the climb with routes through Avalanche Pass and Lake Colden. The mountain is generally climbed as a hiking peak, not as a technical ascent.
Access and starting points
The usual starting town is Newcomb, New York, and the mountain is also associated with approaches from the Upper Works trailhead. The route network in this part of the Adirondacks is backcountry-oriented, so access is by trail rather than by road to the summit area.
Because the climb is in the High Peaks Wilderness, visitors should plan for a long approach, changing footing, and limited services once on the trail. The summit area is reached on foot from the surrounding trail system, not by a maintained road.
Climate and weather
These are estimates from NASA POWER climate data for 2001–2020, adjusted to summit elevation. At the summit, the warmest month is about 13 °C in July, and the coldest is about -12 °C in January. Mean temperatures above freezing usually occur in May, June, July, August, September and October.
The surrounding area receives about 1,100 mm of precipitation a year. June is the wettest month at about 130 mm, while January is the driest at about 60 mm. Expect cool, wet conditions, fog, wind on exposed ridges, and winter snow and ice for much of the year.
Best time to visit
The most practical months for a climb are usually the period when summit temperatures are above freezing: May through October. Within that window, late spring, summer and early autumn offer the best chance of snow-free footing, though wet rock and muddy sections are still common in the Adirondacks.
Winter and early spring bring deep snow, ice and much colder temperatures, so the mountain becomes a more serious backcountry objective. Even in the warmer months, the weather can change quickly on the high peaks, so layers and a margin of time are important.
Nature and wildlife
Mount Redfield lies in Adirondack Park and the High Peaks Wilderness, in a landscape of boreal and montane forest, rocky slopes and wet backcountry drainages. At this elevation, spruce-fir forest and stunted high-elevation vegetation are typical, with thinner soils near the summit and on exposed ridges.
Wildlife in the region can include deer, black bear, small mammals and a range of forest birds. The protected setting helps keep the area largely undeveloped, and the nearby Uphill Lean-to provides a backcountry shelter option along the approach.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain of this height and terrain, a certified guide is usually not required for experienced hikers, but it can be useful for first-time visitors, winter travel, or anyone unfamiliar with Adirondack route-finding. In the United States, the national mountain guide association is the American Mountain Guides Association, an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the American Alpine Club.
Examples of established guiding companies in the country include RMI Expeditions in Ashford, Washington, and Exum Mountain Guides in Moose, Wyoming. A guided day in the mountains usually includes route planning, pacing, safety decisions and equipment advice; the cost depends on the number of days, group size, hut nights and gear needs. Some peaks in the United States require registration or permits from the land agency, including certain climbs on Mount Rainier and Denali.
Safety and preparation
Mount Redfield demands backcountry fitness, navigation skills and preparation for wet ground, cold wind and changing weather. The approach is long enough that daylight, food, insulation and a headlamp matter even in summer. In winter, snowshoes or traction and experience with cold-weather travel are important.
For emergencies in the United States, the mountain rescue number is 911. Dispatchers alert the local search and rescue team, usually through the county sheriff or another local agency. Carry a map, tell someone your plan, and be ready for limited or no phone service in the woods.
History and name
Verplanck Colvin named the mountain for William C. Redfield, who helped organize and took part in an 1837 expedition to Mount Marcy. Redfield was also the first to suspect that Marcy was the highest peak in the Adirondacks, and therefore in New York.
The earliest recorded ascent was made in 1894 by the mountain guide Ed Phelps and an unnamed guest. Today the mountain is counted among the 46 High Peaks of Adirondack Park.
Interesting facts
Mount Redfield is the 9th highest of the 20 named peaks in the Marcy Group and the 18th highest named peak in New York. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Skylight, only 1.5 km away to the east.
The highest peak in its group, Mount Marcy, lies about 2.8 km northeast. Redfield’s position in a tight cluster of High Peaks makes it part of one of the most concentrated high-mountain areas in the Adirondacks.
FAQ
How high is Mount Redfield? It rises to 1,403 m.
Where is Mount Redfield? It is in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, in the United States, within Essex County and the Town of Keene.
What range does Mount Redfield belong to? It is part of the Marcy Group in the Adirondack High Peaks.
What are the nearest peaks? The closest higher summit is Mount Skylight, 1.5 km east. Other nearby peaks include Gray Peak, Cliff Mountain and Mount Marcy.
Is there water on the way to Mount Redfield? The approach follows brooks and a tributary stream, so water is present along the route, but it should be treated before drinking. Carry enough for the day, usually about 1.5 to 3 litres depending on heat and distance.
How long does it take to climb Mount Redfield? A common estimate from Upper Works is about 7 to 10 hours round trip, depending on conditions and pace.
Is mobile phone coverage reliable? Coverage in the hills is generally poor to none on the mountain and much of the approach. Download maps before you go; 112 reaches emergency services over any available network.