Big Slide Mountain via The Brothers in Adirondack Park, NY

Hike Big Slide Mountain via The Brothers Adirondack Park, NY

Class 2 7.6 miles 3300 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Jul 10, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Big Slide Mountain via The Brothers GPX Track

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The most popular way to hike Big Slide Mountain is by taking the route over The Brothers, a scenic trio of smaller peaks leading along the ridgeline up to Big Slide Mountain. I paid the daily fee required at the Garden Trailhead and turned right just after leaving the parking lot, The Brothers Trail. This hike is overall pretty tame for Adirondack standards, a reasonable grade leading through the forest. I found overall that it was mostly a nice forested walk with occasional light scrambling. There are sporadic views toward the valley to the south, as well as viewpoints from each of the three Brothers along the way. Some short scrambles added variety to the forested trail.

The Brothers Trail dips up and down slightly to reach each of the Three Brothers, really just viewpoints, since they're just barely notable lumps along the hike. The trail gradually makes its way to a junction with the southern approach route from Johns Brook. Keeping right here, a series of ladders leads up to a Class 2 scramble to gain the summit of Big Slide Mountain. Shortly after I got back to my car, a massive flood-causing storm rushed in, along with a tornado warning and a weather siren later that evening.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
First Brother
2986 ft
n/a rise
2
Second Brother
3156 ft
6 rise
3
Third Brother
3722 ft
124 rise
4
Big Slide Mountain
4252 ft
1091 rise

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The Garden Trailhead. Keep right for Big Slide Mountain.
The Garden Trailhead. Keep right for Big Slide Mountain.
Along The Brothers Trail.
Along The Brothers Trail.
Pretty deciduous forest scenery down low.
Pretty deciduous forest scenery down low.
Crossing a creek.
Crossing a creek.
Ascending into rockier terrain.
Ascending into rockier terrain.
Making my way along the ridgeline.
Making my way along the ridgeline.
Some initial views, which occur sporadically throughout the hike.
Some initial views, which occur sporadically throughout the hike.
View down at a Class 2 section.
View down at a Class 2 section.
Some scrambling up some bedrock.
Some scrambling up some bedrock.
View back down some steeper hiking on bedrock.
View back down some steeper hiking on bedrock.
A view toward The Brothers and Big Slide Mountain ahead.
A view toward The Brothers and Big Slide Mountain ahead.
A fun section of Class 2 scrambling.
A fun section of Class 2 scrambling.
A switchback that utilizes a natural rock ramp.
A switchback that utilizes a natural rock ramp.
View back along the ridgeline.
View back along the ridgeline.
More steeper hiking.
More steeper hiking.
Progress through the forest.
Progress through the forest.
Big Slide Mountain ahead.
Big Slide Mountain ahead.
A pleasant combination of forest walking with brief scramble sections.
A pleasant combination of forest walking with brief scramble sections.
Image 18 from gallery
Image 19 from gallery
Image 20 from gallery
Close-up of the mosses in the creek.
Close-up of the mosses in the creek.
A beautiful, lush creek crossing.
A beautiful, lush creek crossing.
Image 23 from gallery
Junction with the trail leading down toward Johns Brook. I kept right here to access Big Slide Mountain.
Junction with the trail leading down toward Johns Brook. I kept right here to access Big Slide Mountain.
A lengthy ladder ascent to the summit.
A lengthy ladder ascent to the summit.
View back down the ladder.
View back down the ladder.
Big Slide Mountain just ahead.
Big Slide Mountain just ahead.
One more quick steep section.
One more quick steep section.
Big Slide Mountain summit, view east.
Big Slide Mountain summit, view east.
Big Slide Mountain summit, view west.
Big Slide Mountain summit, view west.
Close-up toward the Adirondack High Peaks.
Close-up toward the Adirondack High Peaks.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!