Giant Mountain

Giant Mountain is in the High Peaks Region of the Adirondack Park, New York.
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.
The two most popular routes climb the southern ridge of the mountain, meeting up about a mile south of the summit.
Rocky Peak Ridge, another ADK 46er, lies nearby, and can be summited in the a same-day outing.
Eagle Slide on Giant is a classic and challenging slide route up the west face of the peak.

Latest summits

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"3 miles of steep uphill terrain with the Viking, with some ice and snow for color (although not enough for microspikes). 40+ mph winds and 17 degrees at the summit. Gorgeous views the whole way." — WhenKatsFly • Oct 20, 2018

"Summitted Today for high peak #16. Went up the Ridge Trail. I highly recommend this route. The views on the way up are stunning, and the trail is open and rocky with a few scrambles for good measure." — UK-Ranger • Aug 11, 2018

"Trail hard packed snow and ice (mainly). 3-4 inches of fresh snow on trail towards the top. Some steep tricky spots with ice but spikes were still manageable. Very little wind mostly apart from when I reached the top and it was quite breezy. Sunny to start with but clouds moved in and it limited the view a bit at the summit - but still pretty impressive! A few light snow showers. 34-40 degrees. Just 1 couple ahead of me (who got up and down without any spikes or snowshoes!)" — rhinteractive • Apr 11, 2018

"A sixth time for me up Giant and the third for Deb. This was the first time we used the Roaring Brook trail. Great trail, has a warm up as compared to the Ridge trail. Great weather, a little breeze kept the black flies and mosquito,s at bay. We left early this morning so had no issues parking and the trail was empty! Views from the summit were great and we stopped by the falls as well on the way back and got some pictures. Deb and I had a great time and this is a great warm up for the last 13 46er's we have left." — hbotc • May 28, 2017

"We hiked on a beautiful fall day! There were a ton of people we saw on this trail throughout the day. We took a bunch of short stops for water and snacks, and to admire all the breathtaking views. I did this hike quite a few years back (maybe 6) and the weather was cloudy with zero view at the top. In fact, it began to thunderstorm right when I hit the summit and I took one single picture and basically ran down for cover as it continued to pour. This time was a completely different experience and I am so happy I hiked this again. We continued from this summit onto hike Rocky Peak Ridge." — Flyhighrunfast • Oct 15, 2016

"Our first High Peak climb. Also went to the top of roaring brook falls, took some pictures there. Summit was a little chilly. Views were amazing. Owen was amazed. He did an awesome job, I actually had a hard time keeping up with him, lol. " — pacofive_o • Oct 9, 2016

"All Trails says 5.2 and the trailhead sign said 3 miles each way and we recorded 7 miles. 3.5 hours up and just under 2 coming down. A definite workout. Bring lots of water. There were a few rock scrambles and about 8 different open rock faces to climb. There are views for most of the second half of the hike and a breathtaking summit" — kathyrowney • Jul 6, 2016

"This was my 5th time up Giant, the goal was Rocky Peak Ridge. I did this back in 1992 along with Giant to celebrate 10 years since I did Giant the 1st time in 1982(My 1st high peak) In 2014 Deb and I went up Giant for her 1st time, we tried to go to Rocky but Deb slipped and hurt her knee so we turned back. Now we needed to do this! A great day, srill some ice on the ground in spots as you headed to the summit and down the east side of Giant. Made the attempt to Rocky a bit tricky." — hbotc • May 14, 2016

"Hiked with Tommy, in conjunction with Rocky Peak Ridge. Met 4 nice guys that were almost done with their 46'er winters. Very windy at the summit but the views were awesome. Tough being on snowshoes for the whole day. My 4th 46'er summit." — kellieirene • Mar 18, 2015

"After driving up from Syracuse in a thunderstorm (and a few awesome video shots and a few close lightning calls), weather cleared up and after a time lapse at Chapel Pond, we began the hike with blue sky a little after noon. Blue skies and great weather allowed for a good pace and a few breaks for time lapses. About halfway to summit we were consumed by a cloud in total white. It was the best! Got some amazing footage and bagged another peak!" — GregMahnken • Jul 27, 2014

"Rachel and I made it to the summit of Giant early Friday July 4th with no summit views and some strong winds. We then headed over to Rocky Peak Ridge and back again for a great two-fer!" — LukeG0903 • Jul 4, 2014

"This was Deb's first time up this mountain and her 2nd 46er. Unfortunately she hurt her knee on the attempt to Rocky Peak Ridge but at least we did this one. Great day, sunny and cool and clear!" — hbotc • Jun 28, 2014

"Faces in the Rocks On my way to Giant, before Giant's Washbowl, I turned around to take a picture. For some reason, I took the picture 2 more times, not seeing what I see now. A month later, I went through my pictures and saw the Faces in the Rocks. What do you see? I see a smiling man with a long nose, a Dalmatian, an evil face and some sort of puppet-like figure. There's also a monster in the dried-up pine needles to the right of the tree." — magno • Jun 20, 2014

"3rd stop on our way to the 46ers. This was an excellent day for many reasons. First, Michael and I brought along Curt, who later told us that he hadn't hiked a significant elevation in almost 30 years! Awesome to get him back in the saddle and the start of many more together we hope! Second, the weather was also excellent: sunny, generally clear, decent breeze (especially at the top), and the fall colors of the trees - stunning! Giant is a nice hike. We took the route from rt 73 (the ridge trail) which is about 6 mi round trip. The climb is a steady up and then a steady down. No bugs to deal with on this day. A few excellent sites along the way including a few viewpoints which could be great camping sites and then crossed the washbowl on the way to a few more. Camping there would be great! Many folks were in the woods with us as it was Columbus day in USA and Thanksgiving in CA. So this was the most crowded we've ever experienced an ADK peak. At the top find the marker and then check out a nice place for lunch. We stayed up a while, almost an hour, while the boys snoozed and I took some photos. From our vantage point we could see Keene Valley and just at the time of year when m..." — SummitSusie • Oct 13, 2013

"A great summit to end the trip with! Angie bagged her 3rd ADK 46er. The Ridge trail is by far my favorite so far in the daks. Absolutely amazing switchbacks and open rock face views of the high peaks range. Stunning at the peak as well. Weather couldn't have been better. Will definitely return to this peak to bag Rocky Peak Ridge just after the summit of Giant. Two 46ers for the price of one. " — MooseHiker • May 17, 2013

"I really shouldn't have joined my boyfriend for this summit, but I was stubborn and persistent to see how far my body could be pushed. It was a long and painful day for me, but I made to the summit and back down in one piece. Views were fantastic all the way up and down. One of the most scenic hikes I have ever done. So happy to see the car at the end. Third ADK 46er! " — AngieBaby • May 17, 2013

"Drizzling rain at the trailhead. I was the first person to sign in in 2 days. About 1/2 way up it started to snow lightly, and 3/4 of the way up snow turned into a light mist. Cloudy up top, so I couldn't see anything other than one close summit. Didn't realize Rocky Peak Ridge was a 46r, but couldn't have done it anyway given my time limit." — stevevogl • Apr 26, 2013

"Our first High Peaks winter hike and by far our most aggressive winter hike yet. Total mileage is ~11.7 (includes Giant and Rocky Peak summits as well Bald, Blueberry Cobbles, Mason and several unnamed summits along the ridge hike on the descent to the Rt 9N parking area. An amazing, beautiful hike - took us roughly 12 hours.<br><br>Hit trail just before sunrise and the initial walk up was in low light but we were treated to a sunrise. Some of the exposed areas were a bit tough with the snow and ice but the climb was great. At the summit it was starting to cloud up but the views were still good. Then down to RPR where the storms really came in and we had a white out with heavy snow fall rates and winds.<br><br>This log includes only mileage to Giant summit and back to RPR junction" — deb-and-rob • Mar 16, 2013

"3rd ADK High Peak. This trail has some great sections of exposed rock with some minor scrambling and there are a number of good lookouts along the trail. Numerous cairns are placed along the way, leading to the summit. We took "over the bump" route during ascent and "around the bump" route on descent. The black bugs were unfortunately in full force and detracted from the viewing at the summit. Benchmark present/found. We combined this hike with Rocky Peak Ridge, for Peak #4 for us and our first hike of two peaks in a day! This would be a great hike in the fall however the summit is not huge and could become crowded quickly. We were alone for the majority of the hike on ascent however on descent and on our way over the Rocky Peak we were joined by a few others making the same journey. Highlights: Giant Washbowl (1/3 mile in from trailhead)- a peaceful/serene pond providing some great early morning reflections, several good viewing areas." — elizabethsweet • Jun 10, 2012

"Our first "High Peak". Myself, Davo, Alec, Dom, Isabella, and Moosey. We started just before 8am and were at the top by roughly 2 p.m. We stopped for breakfast and lunch and took in the scenery in the meantime. Took lots of pics and had an absolute blast. So it turns out this high peak will be the first of many... well one a year anyways!!!" — jeffbord • Sep 17, 2011