Johns Brook Valley to Mount Marcy

High Peaks Wilderness, Adirondack Park (the Garden trailhead, Keene Valley)

Johns Brook Valley is the long, wooded approach to Mount Marcy from Keene Valley. The Phelps Trail follows the brook past a string of lean-tos, the Adirondack Mountain Club’s Johns Brook Lodge, Bushnell Falls, and Slant Rock before the climb to the top of New York.

SummitPost puts the summit about 9 miles from the Garden trailhead, so most backpackers camp in the valley and climb Marcy without a full pack.

The hike

The trail starts at the Garden, a small trailhead in Keene Valley. SummitPost’s route description lists Bear Brook Lean-to about 0.8 mile in and Deer Brook Lean-to about 1.2 miles in. Around 3 miles in is DEC’s Interior Outpost, where the description says to register, with the Howard Lean-to just past it beside Johns Brook.

Johns Brook Lodge, an ADK inholding in the High Peaks Wilderness, is 3.5 miles from the Garden, according to ADK and Wikipedia. ADK describes it as a base camp for Big Slide, Marcy, Gothics, and the rest of the Great Range, and says its property has three lean-tos and two rustic cabins, Grace Camp and Camp Peggy O’Brien.

SummitPost places Bushnell Falls about 5 miles from the Garden, 0.1 mile down a steep ravine off the yellow-marked trail, and Slant Rock about 6.8 miles in. Above Slant Rock, the trail forks: left toward Haystack, right toward Marcy. A 2004 SummitPost trip report describes the section above Slant Rock as a steep, rocky incline, with a wooden footbridge over fragile grasses near the top and a final climb over large boulders.

That October 2004 trip spent its first night at the Howard Lean-to after a “brisk 3 mile walk,” climbed Marcy the next day, and found the summit “VERY cold and VERY windy,” with other hikers in parkas and winter hats. The SummitPost route page says water is available along the trail in wet years but advises carrying a full supply; Johns Brook Lodge has water.

DEC notes that the Phelps Trail crosses Johns Brook above Bushnell Falls and lists that crossing as a high-water hazard. Plan a turnaround if the brook is up.

The ridge on the other side of the valley carries the Great Range Traverse, which descends this same trail at the end. Lake Colden is on Marcy’s west side.

Tips

Get to the Garden very early, or plan on the town shuttle when it runs; DEC warned the small lot would be full by 5 a.m. on the Oct. 10-11, 2026, holiday weekend, when the shuttle was not running.
Don’t park on village streets. DEC says the Town of Keene prohibits it; an Oct. 2026 DEC notice said cars are towed.
Set up camp low and climb Marcy light from Slant Rock or the lodge area.
Pack a warm layer for the summit, even in early fall.
Watch Johns Brook above Bushnell Falls after rain.

Camping

DEC’s High Peaks rules limit overnight groups to eight, ban campfires in the Eastern Zone, require dogs to be leashed there, and prohibit camping on summits and above 3,500 feet except at lean-tos. Camp at designated sites whenever possible; otherwise stay at least 150 feet from trails, roads, and water. DEC requires a bear-resistant canister for overnight campers in the Eastern High Peaks from April 1 to November 30. ADK lends canisters to its lodge guests in summer.

Treeline Review lists the valley’s sites: Deer Brook (lean-to, one site), Howard (lean-to, three sites, two privies), Crandell Lean-to and three sites near Johns Brook Lodge, Bushnell Falls (two lean-tos, two sites), and Slant Rock (lean-to, three designated sites). ADK notes that fires aren’t permitted at its lodge lean-tos.

Inside Intel: No camper account recommending a specific site was found. SummitPost’s 2004 trip report used the Howard Lean-to on the way in and Slant Rock on the way out, and SummitPost’s lodge page warns that the sites around Johns Brook Lodge fill quickly in summer and fall.

Trail facts

Distance: About 18 miles round trip (about 9 miles each way, SummitPost)
Route type: Out and back
Difficulty: Strenuous
Campsites: Bear Brook, Deer Brook, Howard, Johns Brook Lodge area (Crandell), Bushnell Falls, Slant Rock
Water: Johns Brook and tributaries; Johns Brook Lodge in summer; treat stream water
Permits: None; overnight groups of eight or fewer
Bear and food storage: Bear-resistant canister required April 1 to November 30
Fires: Prohibited in the Eastern High Peaks
Trailhead: The Garden, Keene Valley
Last verified: October 17, 2026

The Lowdown

Above Slant Rock on Mount Marcy:

Above Slant Rock the Phelps Trail becomes a steep, rocky incline, with a final climb over large boulders to Marcy's summit about 9 miles from the Garden. Set your poles right for the climb and the long way down.

Get the trekking pole tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.