James_W - Mar 6, 2006 7:20 pm Date Climbed: Mar 5, 2006
Ridge Trail
Great day to be on Giant. Crampons were needed for at least 1/3 of the trail, snowshoes were worthless past the first 600 feet ascent. Clear views of the range, one of the last beautiful days of winter. Descent made for fantastic self arrest practice on sketchy/icy parts.
Route Climbed: Chapel Pond Date Climbed: August 20, 2005
Weird choice of hike: pouring rain at the bottom, misty 100-ft visibility at the top. But beautiful even in that light, very Lord of the Rings up in the krummholz. Clouds lifted on the descent and I saw how magnificent the views could be -- I must do it again on a clear day!
Route Climbed: Via Rocky Peak Ridge Date Climbed: May, 2003
A good hard 3 miles up this wonderful trail. Many views of Dix range, Round and Great Range on the way up. Heavy mud above 3000ft. Marcy pokes her head out as you gain elevation. There was at least 30 people on the summit this day including dogs.
Route Climbed: rocky peak ridge Date Climbed: june 2004
Superb hike when done through the ridge; but it's 12 miles of good hiking. Got some rain between rocky peak and giant's summit, otherwise, very nice day.
Route Climbed: Zander Scott trail Date Climbed: Aug 17th 2004
Nice trail. Well marked. Hiking boots necessary in wet conditions. Saw some people with running shoes slip. Don't let the false summit throw you off - keep going!
Route Climbed: Ridge trail up, Roaring Brook down Date Climbed: 31, May 2003
My first experience in the ADK high peaks, was not sure what to expect. Perfect weather conditions, high 60s w/ light wind, mostly cloudy. Encountered only a few hikers along the way, generally a secluded climb.
Ascended via Ridge trail, a few nice vistas along the way. Visibility high and views spectacular to me at the time. Peak only moderately populated, and slightly cooler. Descended via Roaring Brook, a nice scenery change. Great first climb.
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail, East Trail from RPR; 2nd Feather of the Eagle Slide Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2000; Sep 29, 2002; Jun 22, 2003
this is a great mountain; I love all the outstanding routes to the summit. even after climbing the 2nd feather of the eagle slide, I can now focus on climbing the other west face slides, and then work on the east face rock slides as well!
Route Climbed: Washbowl Date Climbed: June 30 1992
Shared a good bottle of wine the night before at the washbowl. Walked this one in big old overkill boots. Great views at the top and not a few black flies in the spruce at the top.
Route Climbed: Ridge trail via Washbowl Date Climbed: October 13, 2002
Major problem locating the trailhead from Chapel Pond so we freeclimbed the rocky face and met up with the trail at the Giant Washbowl and followed it up to the summit. The ascent was a steady one and we made good time however the weather turned against us as we approached the summit and rain moved in. Visibility was low, but it proved a good hike regardless.
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: October 11, 2002
Tried to beat the holiday crowds. Got an early start, very cloudy, misty and wet but kept on going. Reached summit 2.5 hrs later. In the clouds...50' visibility. We waited an hour or so at peak, it did not clear. Oh well, a great climb anyway. Some views at the rock passes. Always a good day going up!!
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: August 19, 2000
First mountain I've climbed. Went too fast and didn't drink enough on this steep trail so I was exhausted when I reached the summit. Regardless, the views are great, with most of the High Peaks visible.
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: September 5, 2002
Absolutely perfect weather...the visibility was almost perfect and the many views up the mountain were breathtaking. Plus, when we reached the summit, we were the only two people left on the mountain, the other three parties had already gone down. I really loved this hike...particularly the giant rock slab parts that were marked with little rock formations made by other hikers. I cannot tell you the importance of great visibility when hiking. It really made the difference. Quite a strenuous hike and very steep in parts with a total 3050 vertical...but so beautiful and breathtaking it was well worth it. I can't wait to try a few others out.
Total hiking time was 6 hours with numerous stops and rests and little naps on this beautiful mountain.
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail, via Washbowl Date Climbed: 6/1/03
Nice, steep climb that was moderatly strenuous. Good views for a large part of the way but a slight haze over the region certainly lessened what could have been an incredible view. 3050 ascent makes this a nice physical outing and fun to do. The main summit area, which is small to begin with, was a little crowded for my liking (10-15 other people).
***NOTE*** Just below the summit a traverse over to Rocky Peak Ridge (4420 ele) makes this a full day and vaults this hike into the STRENUOUS catagory.
James_W - Mar 6, 2006 7:20 pm Date Climbed: Mar 5, 2006
Ridge TrailGreat day to be on Giant. Crampons were needed for at least 1/3 of the trail, snowshoes were worthless past the first 600 feet ascent. Clear views of the range, one of the last beautiful days of winter. Descent made for fantastic self arrest practice on sketchy/icy parts.
evilproofer - Sep 1, 2005 12:14 am
Route Climbed: Chapel Pond Date Climbed: August 20, 2005Weird choice of hike: pouring rain at the bottom, misty 100-ft visibility at the top. But beautiful even in that light, very Lord of the Rings up in the krummholz. Clouds lifted on the descent and I saw how magnificent the views could be -- I must do it again on a clear day!
James_W - Jul 20, 2005 1:57 pm
Route Climbed: Via Rocky Peak Ridge Date Climbed: May, 2003A good hard 3 miles up this wonderful trail. Many views of Dix range, Round and Great Range on the way up. Heavy mud above 3000ft. Marcy pokes her head out as you gain elevation. There was at least 30 people on the summit this day including dogs.
vanny37 - May 23, 2005 10:05 am
Date Climbed: July 2003Great hike, slightly hazy day.
woodstrider - May 4, 2005 4:21 pm
Route Climbed: trail Date Climbed: 8/12/96 and 1/17/99great views both times
one6180339 - Sep 24, 2004 11:05 pm
Route Climbed: Zander Scott Trail Date Climbed: August 1989This was the first mountain I ever climbed.
mikethehiker - Sep 8, 2004 9:20 pm
Route Climbed: rocky peak ridge Date Climbed: june 2004Superb hike when done through the ridge; but it's 12 miles of good hiking. Got some rain between rocky peak and giant's summit, otherwise, very nice day.
rumyqtpi2 - Aug 19, 2004 2:13 pm
Route Climbed: Zander Scott trail Date Climbed: Aug 17th 2004Nice trail. Well marked. Hiking boots necessary in wet conditions. Saw some people with running shoes slip. Don't let the false summit throw you off - keep going!
redcell6613 - Jul 12, 2004 8:43 pm
Date Climbed: numerous timesGreat ice in the winter
crag - Jan 23, 2004 2:47 pm
Route Climbed: Ridge Date Climbed: March 4, 1996Been up this one several times. Fun, short hike with excellent views. Definitely fun in the winter.
hillman - Sep 23, 2003 9:20 pm
Route Climbed: from rte 73 Date Climbed: august 19 2002Short and sweet. Not alot of water.
kevsmith - Sep 2, 2003 4:29 pm
Route Climbed: Ridge trail up, Roaring Brook down Date Climbed: 31, May 2003My first experience in the ADK high peaks, was not sure what to expect. Perfect weather conditions, high 60s w/ light wind, mostly cloudy. Encountered only a few hikers along the way, generally a secluded climb.
Ascended via Ridge trail, a few nice vistas along the way. Visibility high and views spectacular to me at the time. Peak only moderately populated, and slightly cooler. Descended via Roaring Brook, a nice scenery change. Great first climb.
climber46 - Aug 6, 2003 7:46 pm
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail, East Trail from RPR; 2nd Feather of the Eagle Slide Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2000; Sep 29, 2002; Jun 22, 2003this is a great mountain; I love all the outstanding routes to the summit. even after climbing the 2nd feather of the eagle slide, I can now focus on climbing the other west face slides, and then work on the east face rock slides as well!
desainme - May 13, 2003 5:28 pm
Route Climbed: Washbowl Date Climbed: June 30 1992Shared a good bottle of wine the night before at the washbowl. Walked this one in big old overkill boots. Great views at the top and not a few black flies in the spruce at the top.
mt10climber - Feb 14, 2003 12:50 pm
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: November 23,2002Did this peak because partner never showed to try and find some ice to climb. Beautiful day, great views on the way of the slab.
jospaul - Oct 14, 2002 6:10 pm
Route Climbed: Ridge trail via Washbowl Date Climbed: October 13, 2002Major problem locating the trailhead from Chapel Pond so we freeclimbed the rocky face and met up with the trail at the Giant Washbowl and followed it up to the summit. The ascent was a steady one and we made good time however the weather turned against us as we approached the summit and rain moved in. Visibility was low, but it proved a good hike regardless.
myronploof - Oct 14, 2002 8:52 am
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: October 11, 2002Tried to beat the holiday crowds. Got an early start, very cloudy, misty and wet but kept on going. Reached summit 2.5 hrs later. In the clouds...50' visibility. We waited an hour or so at peak, it did not clear. Oh well, a great climb anyway. Some views at the rock passes. Always a good day going up!!
skiing311 - Sep 6, 2002 8:27 am
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: August 19, 2000First mountain I've climbed. Went too fast and didn't drink enough on this steep trail so I was exhausted when I reached the summit. Regardless, the views are great, with most of the High Peaks visible.
santiken - Sep 6, 2002 6:53 am
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: September 5, 2002Absolutely perfect weather...the visibility was almost perfect and the many views up the mountain were breathtaking. Plus, when we reached the summit, we were the only two people left on the mountain, the other three parties had already gone down. I really loved this hike...particularly the giant rock slab parts that were marked with little rock formations made by other hikers. I cannot tell you the importance of great visibility when hiking. It really made the difference. Quite a strenuous hike and very steep in parts with a total 3050 vertical...but so beautiful and breathtaking it was well worth it. I can't wait to try a few others out.
Total hiking time was 6 hours with numerous stops and rests and little naps on this beautiful mountain.
mavs0 - Jun 2, 2002 11:00 pm
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail, via Washbowl Date Climbed: 6/1/03Nice, steep climb that was moderatly strenuous. Good views for a large part of the way but a slight haze over the region certainly lessened what could have been an incredible view. 3050 ascent makes this a nice physical outing and fun to do. The main summit area, which is small to begin with, was a little crowded for my liking (10-15 other people).
***NOTE*** Just below the summit a traverse over to Rocky Peak Ridge (4420 ele) makes this a full day and vaults this hike into the STRENUOUS catagory.