Big Slide Mountain via Phelps Trail is a 10.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Keene Valley, New York that offers the chance to see wildlife. The trail is rated as difficult and is primarily used for hiking and bird watching.
November 30, 2020JBL start after a couple nights at Grace Camp. Up the 2.3 mile Brook to the summit and out via the Brothers. Multiple steam crossings from 2500 to over 3000. Doable with care. Micro spikes mandatory above 3000 feet. So much ice but ok with care and spikes. Absolutely fantastic view of Great Range on Sunday Nov 29. To stay dry and avoid ice a two mile each way trip from Garden to Second Brother would be a close second. Even sunrise hike.
September 26, 2020Beautiful
September 14, 2020Great hike but completely cloudy at the summit. Not too slippery after yesterday’s and last night’s rain. We were able to get great views on the way down at the big slide lookout at least when the clouds moved out :-) Note that parking lot had plenty of space at 6am today (Monday Sept 14) and it was freezing near and on summit so bring warm gear if you plan to linger up there at all.
September 8, 2020September 1, 2020Two excellent routes to Big Slide Mountain. Despite it being 1.5 miles longer than the out-and-back route, I recommend the loop when hiking Big Slide. The way up Johns Brook is significantly easier than the Brothers trail, so it will probably take less time overall.
August 5, 2020June 15, 2020Big Slide was a great hike, the views were amazing, and it was challenging but very do-able. Would recommend as a day trip, and would be excited to do this hike again
June 15, 2020October 5, 2018
First to ReviewHiked up via the brothers on 10/5/18. Parked at the last free spot in the Garden which was super lucky considering we got there a little after 10. It is definitely peak week for the leaves in the ADKs! Didn't realize how much elevation we gained in the first mile of that hike! Beautiful views of all sides of the park on our way up to and at the First Brother. Would have been a nice hike on its own if you weren't looking to make it all the way to Big Slide. The rest of the hike from here is pretty easy until the last half mile or so. The trail from the Third Brother to Big Slide is the most charming shaded birch filled forest that we really enjoyed. As mentioned, the last .3 after the junction is a bit more strenuous, lots of scrambling and a few spots where we had to lift our dog up (shes a short legged power house). Big Slide offered an amazing view of the Great Range although the summit is very small compared to some other peaks. As we had began late, everyone left the summit to head back once we arrived and we ended up having the whole mountain to ourselves! We went down via what I believe is the Phelps trail to the John Brooks and then back to the garden. Took us about five hours total. Definitely would recommend.
January 29, 2021October 17, 2020September 27, 2020September 26, 2020August 24, 2020August 17, 2020August 10, 2020August 9, 2020August 7, 2020August 6, 2020August 2, 2020July 20, 2020July 2, 2020December 24, 2019October 15, 2019October 11, 2019October 26, 2018August 24, 2018
