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Giant Mountain
...The Giant of the Valley..
Rocky Peak Rigde
...Paired With New Russia...

Although Giant and RPR sit further south and outside of the major clusters where most High Peaks reside, this range is a quintessential experience and among our favorites in the ADK. When becoming a 46er, you’re asked what your favorite and least favorite peaks are, and Giant was an immediate pick for my favorite.

Giant done by itself is not particularly difficult, but the entire range is a full day and not for the faint of heart. This can be deceptively short on paper, but the elevation changes are as steep and swift as they come, especially between the two peaks. If you’re intending to tackle this as the “New Russia Traverse,” you will need a group and two vehicles, with one at both ends.

We highly recommend the “New Russia” approach, it has nearly a non-stop offering of views and lookouts from start to finish, making it one of the most enjoyable treks in the valley, all the way from the Blueberry Cobble to Giant and then down to the road. We have summited these peaks countless times over the years.

You also just out-and-back both from 73, (or do just Giant since it’s the greatest ever) but this is fairly difficult and not for the faint of heart.

From the Ridge Trail up to Giant you’re looking at a relatively short but persistent climb. Not incredibly difficult, but the elevation gain is constant with scattered scrambles. The other notable piece of this pie is that the dip directly between Giant and RPR is by far the hardest part of the climb, and if you take the Ridge trail out and back from 73, you’ll be doing it twice.

  • The lot on 73 is shared and can fill up pretty quickly, but the trail head in New Russia for the Cobble has plenty of space almost all the time. 
  • Going up to Giant from 73 is a steep accent, and there are plenty of scrambles and technical parts all across the ridge.
  • Giant provides a less than 180 view at peak but RPR is nearly 270 and mostly open. Bald is also a great stop.
  • The entire ridge has a large portion that is open face, prepare accordingly. Wooded areas provide plenty of lookouts as well.

Giant Mountain - 4627'

Its status as my personal favorite is well deserved, every mile of this climb offers a new view of the surrounding lakes and mountains, and the Ausable Club can be spotted from the peak on particularly clear days. None of them have done for me what Giant does.

Jakes first High Peak was Giant.
He loved it, and so do we. Giant is an all time classic.
Low clouds sit in the valley around Giant.
Obligatory High Peak shots on Giant.

Rocky Peak Ridge - 4420'

Similar, but different, Rocky feels smaller, as Giant can be seen in the distance, but its cobbled steps from New Russia are also visible, giving it a leading feeling. The peak is sprawling, open, majestic and often shielded from particularly strong winds.

You can glimpse the Ausable Club between the mountains.
Reflections off still water from a nearby lake.
As you near the peak rock face becomes more common and the pines begin to thin out.
RPR provides near 360 degree visibility.
Sweat soaked and hungry, we take refuge on Rocky Peak Ridge.
The views from RPR are almost entirely unaffected by vegetation or obstruction.
Kevin indulges in his obligatory naps regardless of the conditions.
Kevin silhouetted against the mountainous horizon.
Cloud shadows cast at far distances can still be gleamed across the mountains.
On this particular trek through the ridge it seemed like it could pour at any moment, but it never did.
Although we have done Giant and RPR many times, it never ceases to amaze.
We Give This Trail: 9.5/10
Rated 9.5 out of 10

Rating considers trail conditions, difficulty, views and other notable characteristics

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