Primary Route
Route 73 / Cascade Lakes to Cascade and Porter
Standard Route
Cascade and Porter are the classic first High Peaks pairing: a steady Route 73 climb to Cascade’s open, weather-exposed summit, plus a quieter wooded side trip to Porter from the upper junction.
Photo Gallery
Have photos of this hike?
Route map
Route 73 / Cascade Lakes to Cascade and Porter
Loading map
Route 73 GPX
Planning use
Use the route line and GPX as planning aids. Carry a physical map and verify current official conditions before relying on any route.
Open the Interactive 46 High Peaks MapRoute History
Cascade and Porter have become one of the best-known entry points into the Adirondack 46 because the pair offers two High Peaks from one efficient upper corridor. Cascade gets its name from the waterfall flowing toward the Upper and Lower Cascade Lakes, and the mountain was once associated with the former Sable Mountains, which also included Porter. Early recorded history around Cascade points to Lon Pierce and Charles Goff in the 1870s. The modern route story now includes both the traditional Route 73 approach and the longer Mount Van Hoevenberg approach. For this grouping, Route 73 remains the standard route unless public access patterns change.
Route Options
2 route optionsSelect another route
Route Overview
Route 73 / Cascade Lakes to Cascade and Porter
This standard route follows the red-marked Cascade Mountain Trail from Route 73 to the upper junction. Visit Porter as the quieter side trip, climb Cascade for the open summit, and return the same way.
Selected Route Access
Start from the Route 73 / Cascade Lakes trailhead. The trailhead sits along a busy road corridor with limited parking, so begin with parking and road safety in mind before entering the woods.
Selected Route Caution
Cascade’s open summit can be much colder, windier, and more exposed than the trailhead. Porter adds mileage and muddy side-trail travel after the main climb, so treat the pair as a real High Peaks outing rather than a casual short hike.
Selected Route Guidance
Full guide collapsed for quick scanning. 6 sections available.