Giant Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Giant Mountain |
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Giant, seen from Noonmark
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,626 feet |
| Prominence | 2,953 feet |
| Listing | Adirondack High Peaks 12th |
| Geography | |
 Giant Mountain
Location in New York Adirondack Park
Giant Mountain
Location in the United States
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| Location | Keene, New York, U.S. |
| Parent range | Adirondacks |
| Topo map | USGS Elizabethtown |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Giant Mountain is a really tall mountain in the Adirondack Park in New York, USA. It's the twelfth highest peak in the special group called the Adirondack High Peaks. People often call it "Giant of the Valley." This is because it looks huge watching over places like Keene Valley and St. Huberts. The mountain's name comes from its impressive size. Also, the big rock slides on its steep western side make it stand out.
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Who First Climbed Giant Mountain?
The first time someone officially climbed Giant Mountain was on June 2, 1797. A person named Charles Broadhead and his team did it. They were exploring the land to map out old military areas. This climb was also the very first recorded time anyone reached the top of any of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks.
Hiking Trails to the Top
There are three main paths, or trails, that lead up Giant Mountain. One trail starts from the east side, and two start from the west side.
Popular Western Trails
The two most popular ways to hike up begin along New York State Route 73. One trail is near St. Huberts and is called the "Roaring Brook Trail." The other is close to Chapel Pond and is known as the "Zander Scott Trail." Both of these trails climb up the southern part of the mountain. They meet up about a mile before you reach the very top, or summit. The Zander Scott Trail is shorter to hike, but it is also much steeper.
The Eastern Trail and Rocky Peak Ridge
The third trail starts from the east, near a town called New Russia. This path is not hiked as often because it's a longer journey. This route first climbs Bald Peak. Bald Peak is a smaller mountain with unusual, twisted trees called krummholz. These trees are mostly Northern White Cedar.
After Bald Peak, hikers begin to climb Rocky Peak Ridge. Once they reach the top of Rocky Peak Ridge, they go down a small dip. Then, they climb again to reach the Giant Mountain summit. This eastern route is often used by people trying to become Adirondack Forty-Sixers. That's because Rocky Peak Ridge is one of the peaks they must climb to earn that title.
