High-elevation forests in the northeastern United States have received large amounts of atmospheric deposition of pollutants that may alter natural element cycling and retention rates in a variety of ways. This study examined atmospheric deposition of N, S, and base cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+), and their impact on element cycling, in a high-elevation forest on Whiteface Mountain, New York, USA. Ten years of element cycling data (1986–1996) showed that at our study site (1050-m elevation) precipitation and cloud water contributed most of the atmospheric deposition relative to dry deposition. Input–output budgets revealed a net retention of N in this forest. In contrast, annual variations in outputs of K+ were roughly balanced by atmospheric inputs. Potassium output seemed to be strongly related to and dependent on K+ inputs. There was a net loss of Ca2+, Mg2+, and SO42− from the site. Calcium and SO42− outputs were related to one another and to water inputs to the forest. Net loss of 2.9 kg S·ha−1·yr−1 was likely supplied by the large mineral soil S pool. The difference between atmospheric input and ecosystem export of 7.4 kg Ca·ha−1·yr−1 may or may not be sustainable, depending on replacement by mineral weathering. The dominance of inorganic N species in all solutions except O-horizon leachate supports the idea that the forest is heavily impacted by N deposition. However, the decrease in NO3− export from the forest observed during the study and the continued accumulation of N in vegetation suggest that N saturation has not yet occurred.