Giant Mountain
Encyclopedia
Giant Mountain is the twelfth highest peak in the High Peaks Region of the Adirondack Park, in New York
, USA
. The peak is also known as "Giant of the Valley," due to its stature looking over Keene Valley
and St. Huberts to the west. The prominent rock slides on the mountain's steep western face and its location away from most other large peaks make it quite an imposing figure, leading to its name.
s along New York State Route 73
, one near St. Huberts ("Roaring Brook") and the other near Chapel Pond. The two trails climb the southern ridge of the mountain, meeting up about a mile south of the summit
.
The third ascent begins from the east, near the town of New Russia, and is not as commonly climbed due to the longer hike. The route climbs Bald Peak (aka Twisted Cedar), a smaller mountain with unusual krummholz that is predominately Northern White Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis
), then begins the ascent of Rocky Peak Ridge
. After summiting Rocky Peak Ridge, hikers decent a small coll before ascending to the Giant summit
. This route is more commonly used by those attempting to become Adirondack Forty-Sixers
, since Rocky Peak is a required peak.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The peak is also known as "Giant of the Valley," due to its stature looking over Keene Valley
Keene, New York
Keene is a town in central Essex County, New York, United States. The population was 1,063 at the 2000 census. Keene is the home of Mount Marcy, the highest mountain in New York state, as well as the Great Range and 15 of the 46 High Peaks, and the Ausable Lakes, the source of the Ausable River...
and St. Huberts to the west. The prominent rock slides on the mountain's steep western face and its location away from most other large peaks make it quite an imposing figure, leading to its name.
Ascents
There are three main ascents of Giant, one from the east, and two from the west. The two most popular routes begin on trailheadTrailhead
A trailhead is the point at which a trail begins, where the trail is often intended for hiking, biking, horseback riding, or off-road vehicles...
s along New York State Route 73
New York State Route 73
New York State Route 73 is a state highway located entirely within Essex County, New York, United States. The highway begins at an intersection with NY 86 in the village of Lake Placid and ends at a junction with U.S. Route 9 north of the hamlet of Underwood in the extreme...
, one near St. Huberts ("Roaring Brook") and the other near Chapel Pond. The two trails climb the southern ridge of the mountain, meeting up about a mile south of the summit
Summit (topography)
In topography, a summit is a point on a surface that is higher in elevation than all points immediately adjacent to it. Mathematically, a summit is a local maximum in elevation...
.
The third ascent begins from the east, near the town of New Russia, and is not as commonly climbed due to the longer hike. The route climbs Bald Peak (aka Twisted Cedar), a smaller mountain with unusual krummholz that is predominately Northern White Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis
Thuja occidentalis
Thuja occidentalis is an evergreen coniferous tree, in the cypress family Cupressaceae, which is widely cultivated for use as an ornamental plant known as American Arbor Vitae. The endemic occurrence of this species is a northeastern distribution in North America...
), then begins the ascent of Rocky Peak Ridge
Rocky Peak Ridge
Rocky Peak Ridge is the twentieth highest peak in the High Peaks Region of the Adirondack Park of New York, USA. The name of the mountain is due to its geology, a rocky ridge to the east of the better known Giant Mountain...
. After summiting Rocky Peak Ridge, hikers decent a small coll before ascending to the Giant summit
Summit (topography)
In topography, a summit is a point on a surface that is higher in elevation than all points immediately adjacent to it. Mathematically, a summit is a local maximum in elevation...
. This route is more commonly used by those attempting to become Adirondack Forty-Sixers
Adirondack Forty-Sixers
The Adirondack Forty-Sixers are an organization of hikers who have climbed all forty-six of the traditionally recognized High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. They are often referred to just as 46ers.- Origins :...
, since Rocky Peak is a required peak.