This nearly 20 mile loop is the absolute best way to do Marcy and grab a little extra along the way. Marcy can be done by it’s self but Skylight and Grey are a ways out from any good parking location, so you might as well grab them while you’re out there. The other option is to take the Phelps trail up to Skylight and Grey, which is long trip from either the LOJ or the Garden Lot.

Marcy is a classic and one of the most rewarding climbs in the ADK. If you could only ever do one, this is probably the one I would recommend. Marcy towers above the rest of the range and offers great views. Although this climb is very long, it isn’t particularly difficult, with the most elevation and scrambling occurring in the final mile or two. 

Skylight and Grey are seated behind Marcy and are both quite tall and close to Marcy. As you take the long loop back to the LOJ, the nearly mile long off shoots to both peaks are hard to miss. Both provide great views and are short and sweet. The trail for Grey is technically “unmarked” so you’ll want to pay a little more attention there.

• Parking at the LOJ has been and always will be difficult; show up early if you want a spot.
• This is an easy trail to get tired out on, so be sure to bring lots of water and food. If you can’t handle the whole loop, you can just do Marcy and head back.
• Marcy and Skylight both have exceptionally great 360 views and Skylight specifically is a large peak with lots of space.
• Grey is an unmarked trial and the views are fairly limited. You do get a great lookout towards Marcy and another back towards Skylight.