Giant Mountain via the Ridge Trail in the Adirondacks
Giant Mountain is one of the Adirondack High Peaks that lives up to its name. Rising to 4,627 feet, Giant offers a steep, rugged climb, long stretches of open rock, and some of the best views in the Adirondacks. The route may be relatively short on paper, but it gains nearly 3,000 feet in about 3 miles, making this a serious hike from the start.
From the trailhead, the Ridge Trail starts climbing almost immediately. There is very little warm-up on Giant Mountain. The route works steadily upward through forest, over roots, rocks, and boulders, gaining elevation at a pace that quickly reminds you this is an Adirondack High Peak.
The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, but the terrain is rugged. Even early in the hike, you will want sturdy footwear and enough water for a long, demanding day.
The Washbowl gives the hike a little variety, but it is only the beginning. After returning to the Ridge Trail, the route continues upward through the forest, gradually becoming steeper and more rugged.
At roughly 1 mile, another side trail leads toward Giant’s Nubble. This optional viewpoint adds mileage, but hikers with time and energy will find excellent views of Giant’s slides and the surrounding Adirondack landscape.
The open slabs are one of the best parts of the route. They offer broad views toward the Great Range, the Ausable Valley, and the surrounding High Peaks. They also require extra care, especially when wet, icy, or snow-covered.
There are several steep sections and short scrambles along the way. None require technical climbing equipment in normal conditions, but hikers should be comfortable using their hands for balance and moving carefully over uneven rock.
Giant Mountain’s summit is broad, rocky, and open, with one of the best panoramas in the Adirondacks. On a clear day, you can look across the High Peaks, see the Great Range, and enjoy long views toward Vermont and the Green Mountains.
At 4,627 feet, Giant is one of New York’s highest mountains and a necessary peak for anyone working toward the Adirondack 46er list. The summit is a fantastic place to rest, eat, and enjoy the reward before beginning the long descent.
Take your time on the way down, particularly if the trail is wet or if you are hiking in shoulder-season conditions. Trekking poles can be especially helpful on the steeper lower sections.
This is not a beginner hike, but it is an excellent choice for hikers ready to take on a steep Adirondack High Peak. If you want a route with big elevation gain, rugged terrain, and a summit that feels truly earned, Giant Mountain belongs high on the list.
Important Hiking Considerations:
The Ridge Trail from Route 73 is the most direct and popular way to reach the summit. It is a rewarding hike for experienced hikers who are comfortable with steep grades, rocky footing, and exposed terrain. Along the way, you’ll pass Giant’s Washbowl, climb across open slabs, and take in wide views toward the High Peaks before reaching the summit.
Giant Mountain Hike Summary
- Trailhead: Giant Mountain/Ridge Trail Trailhead on Route 73 near Keene Valley, NY
- Route: Ridge Trail to Giant’s Washbowl, then continue on the Ridge Trail to Giant Mountain summit and return the same way
- Distance: About 6 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: About 3,000 feet
- Summit Elevation: 4,627 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Best For: Experienced hikers looking for a challenging Adirondack High Peak with outstanding views
Starting from Route 73
The hike begins at the Ridge Trail trailhead on Route 73, near Chapel Pond. Parking can be limited along this busy Adirondack corridor, so arriving early is a good idea, especially on weekends and during peak foliage season.From the trailhead, the Ridge Trail starts climbing almost immediately. There is very little warm-up on Giant Mountain. The route works steadily upward through forest, over roots, rocks, and boulders, gaining elevation at a pace that quickly reminds you this is an Adirondack High Peak.
The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, but the terrain is rugged. Even early in the hike, you will want sturdy footwear and enough water for a long, demanding day.
Giant’s Washbowl
About 0.7 miles from the trailhead, passes by the edge of Giant’s Washbowl. This small mountain pond is a scenic early stop and a nice place to catch your breath before the steeper climbing ahead.The Washbowl gives the hike a little variety, but it is only the beginning. After returning to the Ridge Trail, the route continues upward through the forest, gradually becoming steeper and more rugged.
At roughly 1 mile, another side trail leads toward Giant’s Nubble. This optional viewpoint adds mileage, but hikers with time and energy will find excellent views of Giant’s slides and the surrounding Adirondack landscape.
Climbing the Ridge Trail
The Ridge Trail is known for its sustained climb. The trail rises through dense forest before breaking out onto open rock, where the hike becomes more exposed and dramatically scenic.The open slabs are one of the best parts of the route. They offer broad views toward the Great Range, the Ausable Valley, and the surrounding High Peaks. They also require extra care, especially when wet, icy, or snow-covered.
There are several steep sections and short scrambles along the way. None require technical climbing equipment in normal conditions, but hikers should be comfortable using their hands for balance and moving carefully over uneven rock.
The Final Push to Giant Mountain
As the trail nears the summit, the terrain continues to alternate between forest and open rock. The final climb is still strenuous, but the views become bigger with every step.Giant Mountain’s summit is broad, rocky, and open, with one of the best panoramas in the Adirondacks. On a clear day, you can look across the High Peaks, see the Great Range, and enjoy long views toward Vermont and the Green Mountains.
At 4,627 feet, Giant is one of New York’s highest mountains and a necessary peak for anyone working toward the Adirondack 46er list. The summit is a fantastic place to rest, eat, and enjoy the reward before beginning the long descent.
Returning to Route 73
Return by the same Ridge Trail. While the descent follows the familiar route, it can be harder on tired legs than the ascent. The steep slabs, loose rock, and uneven footing require attention all the way back to the trailhead.Take your time on the way down, particularly if the trail is wet or if you are hiking in shoulder-season conditions. Trekking poles can be especially helpful on the steeper lower sections.
Why Giant Mountain Is Worth It
Giant Mountain is a demanding hike, but it delivers some of the biggest views for the mileage in the Adirondacks. The Ridge Trail wastes no time gaining elevation, and the combination of forest, open rock, mountain ponds, and huge summit views makes the experience feel varied from start to finish.This is not a beginner hike, but it is an excellent choice for hikers ready to take on a steep Adirondack High Peak. If you want a route with big elevation gain, rugged terrain, and a summit that feels truly earned, Giant Mountain belongs high on the list.
You can find more information about this hike on:
Watch all of our videos about hikes in the Adirondacks on YouTube
Sign up for our newsletter for regular hike info, gear reviews, videos, and more!
Outdoor Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Guide Services:
Advice and Recommended Gear:
Gear we used on this hike:
- Hyperlite Southwest 55 Backpack
- Osprey Stratos 24 Backpack
- INOV8 Men's Roclite Mid GTX Hiking Boots
- Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof Boots
- REI Activator Trail Pants
- REI Traverse Trekking Poles
Thanks for watching! Be sure to like and subscribe on YouTube if you enjoyed our video. We appreciate the opportunity to share our adventures with you and highlight members of the LGBTQ+ community enjoying the outdoors. Proud gay hikers here! Find out more about us at The Hiker Trash Husbands on the web - https://www.hikertrashhusbands.com
- Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions. Weather can be unpredictable, so bring appropriate clothing and gear.
- Safety: Some sections of the trail can be steep and rocky, so use caution and watch your footing. It's also a good idea to hike with a friend or let someone know about your hiking plans.
- Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.
Some product links are affiliate links and we earn from qualifying purchases. Others are links through the Amazon Influencer program and as an Amazon Influencer, we earn from qualifying purchases. Still others, we just want you to know about some good gear we enjoy!
Comments
Post a Comment