According to early surveys, MacNaughton Mountain's elevation was 3,976 ft (1,212 m), short of the 4,000 ft needed to qualify it as one of the Adirondack High Peaks. According to the 1953 survey, the mountain did reach that height, while four of the 46 peaks on the list fell short.[4] However, the list was kept the same because those were the original 46.
Since then, a survey has measured the elevation at exactly 3,983 ft (1,214 m).
Because it is not one of the officially recognized Adirondack High Peaks and it does not offer notable views, MacNaughton is not climbed as frequently as many other mountains. There is no maintained trail or clear herd path for most of the climb from the end of the nearest trail at Wallface Pond.[5]