Giant Mountain and Rocky Peak Ridge via Ridge Trail in Adirondack Park, NY

Hike Giant Mountain and Rocky Peak Ridge via Ridge Trail Adirondack Park, NY

Class 2 8.3 miles 4500 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Jul 11, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Giant Mountain and Rocky Peak Ridge via Ridge Trail GPX Track

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The night before, I was woken up by a weather warning siren after multiple flash flood and tornado warnings. The storm left behind wet rock, muddy trails, and high stream flows. I decided to steer clear of the many boggy trail options in the Adirondacks and chose the popular, high-prominence Giant Mountain, adding Rocky Ridge Peak nearby. These peaks can be reached via the much longer New Russia Trail or the Roaring Brook Trail, but I opted for the Ridge Trail today. It's the shortest and most popular route for approaching Giant Mountain. If you have the energy, I highly recommend taking the New Russia Trail instead to access these peaks, a long and more gorgeous approach.

I began my hike at the trailhead on Route 73 and headed into the forest, crossing a stream several times along the way, which was flowing strongly after last night’s storm. I reached a viewpoint overlooking Chapel Pond and its distinct slabs, with a glimpse of the Great Range in the distance. Shortly after, I arrived at the Giant’s Washbowl, a charming pond tucked beneath steep, forested slopes. Keeping right at a junction, the trail quickly turned steep and introduced plenty of large boulders strewn about, typical of the Adirondacks.

After more forest hiking, I emerged onto the first set of open slabs, where the trail scrambles up the bare rock of the mountain. I could see the Dix Range in the distance, as well as Rocky Ridge Peak to the northeast. Unlike many Adirondack peaks, much of the ascent from here offered expansive views unobstructed by trees. Cairns assisted at times when the trail up the slabs wasn't completely clear. The Ridge Trail eventually re-entered the trees and wrapped around the northwestern side of the ridge crest, with more fun scrambling along the way.

I passed the junction I’d take shortly to head over to Rocky Ridge Peak, but first, I wanted to summit Giant Mountain. The views from its cliffy high point were lovely, and the rain seemed to have kept many people away. I backtracked to the junction and descended over 600 feet to the saddle with Rocky Ridge Peak, a much steeper descent than most of the hike had been so far, including a trickier scramble. The ascent to Rocky Ridge was much more gradual, and its bald summit had great views back to Giant Mountain and toward the various nearby Adirondack peaks.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Giant Mountain
4629 ft
2977 rise
2
Rocky Peak Ridge
4406 ft
642 rise

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Ridge Trail Trailhead.
Ridge Trail Trailhead.
Initial creek crossing.
Initial creek crossing.
High water flow post-storm, seen along a creek adjacent to the trail.
High water flow post-storm, seen along a creek adjacent to the trail.
Ascending steep switchbacks.
Ascending steep switchbacks.
The trail crosses the creek multiple times, still climbing steeply.
The trail crosses the creek multiple times, still climbing steeply.
Image 5 from gallery
A view down toward Chapel Pond below.
A view down toward Chapel Pond below.
Approaching Giant’s Washbowl.
Approaching Giant’s Washbowl.
Giant’s Washbowl, a nice pond snuggled at the base of the steep slope of Giant Mountain.
Giant’s Washbowl, a nice pond snuggled at the base of the steep slope of Giant Mountain.
Passing a pleasant waterfall.
Passing a pleasant waterfall.
Ascending steeply up Giant Mountain's southwest ridge.
Ascending steeply up Giant Mountain's southwest ridge.
A junction shortly after the Giant's Washbowl.
A junction shortly after the Giant's Washbowl.
Rocky, steep ascent.
Rocky, steep ascent.
A section of tight switchbacks along the way.
A section of tight switchbacks along the way.
Class 2 used to access the bedrock slabs.
Class 2 used to access the bedrock slabs.
View back down once I gained the slabs.
View back down once I gained the slabs.
More Class 2, interspersed with slabs and forest.
More Class 2, interspersed with slabs and forest.
Giant Mountain obscured top left, Rocky Peak Ridge seen right.
Giant Mountain obscured top left, Rocky Peak Ridge seen right.
Image 18 from gallery
Another shot back as I continue higher on Giant Mountain.
Another shot back as I continue higher on Giant Mountain.
Steep hiking on slabs.
Steep hiking on slabs.
Another shot back down.
Another shot back down.
A massive cairn to assist in keeping along the intended route.
A massive cairn to assist in keeping along the intended route.
Back in the forest for a bit.
Back in the forest for a bit.
Image 24 from gallery
Image 25 from gallery
Another trail junction at around 3800', this one for the Roaring Brook Trail.
Another trail junction at around 3800', this one for the Roaring Brook Trail.
The trail wraps to the north side of the ridge for a bit.
The trail wraps to the north side of the ridge for a bit.
View back down before reaching a trail junction.
View back down before reaching a trail junction.
I reached the junction with the trail leading over to Rocky Peak Ridge, which I'll return to shortly.
I reached the junction with the trail leading over to Rocky Peak Ridge, which I'll return to shortly.
Giant Mountain summit, view north.
Giant Mountain summit, view north.
Close-up north.
Close-up north.
Giant Mountain summit, view south.
Giant Mountain summit, view south.
Onward to Rocky Peak Ridge, seen ahead.
Onward to Rocky Peak Ridge, seen ahead.
Steep descent from Giant Mountain, and a trickier Class 2 obstacle seen here.
Steep descent from Giant Mountain, and a trickier Class 2 obstacle seen here.
Rocky Peak Ridge seen ahead.
Rocky Peak Ridge seen ahead.
View back up at the steep descent.
View back up at the steep descent.
Much more tame ascent to Rocky Peak Ridge.
Much more tame ascent to Rocky Peak Ridge.
Along the way up to Rocky Peak Ridge.
Along the way up to Rocky Peak Ridge.
Rocky Peak Ridge summit, view back toward Giant Mountain.
Rocky Peak Ridge summit, view back toward Giant Mountain.
Giant Mountain.
Giant Mountain.
Rocky Peak Ridge summit, view south.
Rocky Peak Ridge summit, view south.
Rocky Peak Ridge summit, view east.
Rocky Peak Ridge summit, view east.

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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!