Mount Haystack
Encyclopedia
Mount Haystack is a mountain in the Great Range
of the Adirondack High Peaks in the Adirondack Mountains
of New York
. It is the third highest peak in the state, after Algonquin Peak
and Mount Marcy. It gets its name from the resemblance of its rounded, conical
peak to a hay
stack. It is north of Mount Redfield.
Despite this and the views offered from its bare, alpine
summit, it is not visited by as many hikers
outside of aspiring members of the Adirondack Forty-Sixers
; it is rather remote from the nearest trailhead and the approach from either direction is steep and challenging.
The most frequent approach if Haystack is the main goal is to follow the Johns Brook Trail from the popular Garden parking area in Keene Valley to the Phelps Trail and then use Shorey's Short Cut to get over to the Range Trail. It is possible to combine this with an attempt on Marcy itself, but that makes for a long day and the approach from Panther Gorge is even steeper than that from the north.
Some hikers come along the Great Range itself, making the peak their last stop before Marcy itself, or combine it with neighboring Basin
and Saddleback
. It can also be approached from privately-owned Upper Ausable Lake.
One of the most famous elements of Haystack is the infamous "Devil's Half Mile". This stretch, which is technically three-fourths of a mile, is the extremely steep last stretch of the trail.
Great Range
The Great Range is a mountain range in the Adirondack Mountains, near Keene Valley, New York, USA. It rises in the heart of the High Peaks region between Ausable Lakes to the southeast and the Johns Brook Valley to the northwest....
of the Adirondack High Peaks in the Adirondack Mountains
Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondack Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeastern part of New York, that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties....
of New York
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...
. It is the third highest peak in the state, after Algonquin Peak
Algonquin Peak
Algonquin Peak is in the MacIntyre Range in the town of North Elba, in Essex County, New York. It is the second highest mountain in New York, and one of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks in Adirondack Park...
and Mount Marcy. It gets its name from the resemblance of its rounded, conical
Cone (geometry)
A cone is an n-dimensional geometric shape that tapers smoothly from a base to a point called the apex or vertex. Formally, it is the solid figure formed by the locus of all straight line segments that join the apex to the base...
peak to a hay
Hay
Hay is grass, legumes or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for grazing livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. Hay is also fed to pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs...
stack. It is north of Mount Redfield.
Despite this and the views offered from its bare, alpine
Alpine climate
Alpine climate is the average weather for a region above the tree line. This climate is also referred to as mountain climate or highland climate....
summit, it is not visited by as many hikers
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
outside of aspiring members of the 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 :...
; it is rather remote from the nearest trailhead and the approach from either direction is steep and challenging.
The most frequent approach if Haystack is the main goal is to follow the Johns Brook Trail from the popular Garden parking area in Keene Valley to the Phelps Trail and then use Shorey's Short Cut to get over to the Range Trail. It is possible to combine this with an attempt on Marcy itself, but that makes for a long day and the approach from Panther Gorge is even steeper than that from the north.
Some hikers come along the Great Range itself, making the peak their last stop before Marcy itself, or combine it with neighboring Basin
Basin Mountain (New York)
Basin is the ninth-highest peak of the High Peaks Region in the Adirondack Park in New York, USA. The peak was named by Verplanck Colvin for several basins formed between knobs on its slopes. It is located in the High Peaks Wilderness Area...
and Saddleback
Saddleback Mountain (Keene, New York)
Saddleback Mountain is a mountain located in Essex County, New York.The mountain is part of the Great Range of the Adirondack Mountains.The long summit ridge has peaks at each end with a pronounced dip between, giving it the profile of a saddle....
. It can also be approached from privately-owned Upper Ausable Lake.
One of the most famous elements of Haystack is the infamous "Devil's Half Mile". This stretch, which is technically three-fourths of a mile, is the extremely steep last stretch of the trail.