Giant Mountain

About three weeks ago I decided I wanted to go hiking in the Adirondack High Peaks. It was my first time hiking there, and it probably will be the last time I go up there for a while, mainly because of the absurdly bad fear of heights. A 120 mile drive from Albany, it took me about 2 1/2 hours to reach the trail head on NY 73.

Waiting for the bus to Thacher Park

The first part of the trail is steep (as is most of the trail), but with limited views.

Along Trail

After 3/4 mile of a hike, it opens up to a ledge with views of the Keene Valley.

Keene Valley

Shortly there after you reach the Giant Washbowl, a mountain pond with interesting views, surrounded by mountains.

7/10 Mi to NY 73

You also get a neat view of Nubble.

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There are two primative campsites along Giants’ Washbowl with no facilities except some logs to sit on.

Campsite

Second Campsite at Washbowl

You cross Giants’ Washbowl on a log.

Foot Bridge

With the confirous trees surrounding Giants’ Washbowl you would have no idea what season it was from this picture.

Colors

Past Giants’ Washbowl, the trail gets steeper and goes through a series of switch backs as you continue to climb.

View Through Trees

At about 2 miles the trail opens up to a series of open rock scrambles, where you walk along a ledge of sloped rocks. It did nothing for me.

Rock Scrabble

Literally, the trail runs right along this sloped ledge. These open ledges just made me sick. I started to puke, with my fear of heights kicking in as as scrambled along this.

Open Rock Face

That and seeing the maggots swarming over this piece of dung right on the trail did nothing for me.

Got Maggots

That said, the views from this ledge where spectular.

Looking Across the Valley

I continued to climb another 300 feet or so on the trail, when I decided to go back, but I did get a chance to get some pretty awesome pictures from up above.

Further

On a rock ledge, looking down at Giants’ Washbowl.

Giants Washbowl from Above

And Noomatic Mountain.

Noomantic Mountain

Looking South-West towards Pharoah Mountain Wilderness.

South-West

Dix Mountain and surrounding range.

Dix Mountain

At any rate, this kind of hiking did nothing for me. I decided to descend Giant Mountain, and not spend much more time in the High Peaks Range for the foreseeable future. As much as I enjoy spending time outdoors, the High Peaks with their significant ascent and the open faces just is no fun. Just writing about this mountain and looking at the pictures makes me want to barf again!

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Map of the hike:


View Giant Mountain in a larger map

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