New York · Hiking

Pitchoff Mountain Trail

4.4 mi
one way
1,910 ft
climb
3,501 ft
high point
Point to point
route

Pitchoff Mountain Trail is a 4.4-mile moderate hike in New York's Sentinel Range Wilderness, managed by the State Department of Conservation. The route rises from about 1,870 feet to a high point of 3,501 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,910 feet. The climb is front-loaded, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.9 miles in, where the grade reaches 55 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Lake Placid show July highs around 74°F with lows near 54°F, while temperatures on the summit run cooler than those figures. Winter is harsh, with January highs in the low 20s. The trail is a point-to-point route, and the trip is estimated to take about 2.5 hours. Bikes and horses are not allowed. Owls Head Trail lies less than a mile away, and the Pitchoff Chimney Cliff and Owls Head Mountain climbing areas are each about a mile off. Porter Mountain Trail is roughly 2 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Pitchoff Mountain Trail

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      23° / 6°

      18 wet

    2. Feb

      27° / 8°

      14 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 16°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 29°

      14 wet

    5. May

      62° / 40°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 49°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 54°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      73° / 52°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 45°

      13 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 35°

      15 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 25°

      16 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 14°

      18 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Placid 2 S, NY, 8 mi away at 1,888 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Route details

Distance
4.4 mi
Climbing
About 1,910 ft
Summit
3,505 ft
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
About 2.5 hours

Questions about this route

How long is the Pitchoff Mountain Trail on Pitchoff Mountain?

About 4.4 mi.

How much elevation gain is on the Pitchoff Mountain Trail?

About 1,910 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Pitchoff Mountain Trail?

It is rated moderate.

How long does the Pitchoff Mountain Trail take?

About 2.5 hours round trip.

Conditions and forecast on Pitchoff Mountain

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors