Ridge Trail to Giant Mountain and Rocky Peak Ridge is a 8.9 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Keene, New York that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Although dogs are allowed to use this trail, users have reported that they may have trouble with the scrambling.
Both trails were well compacted snow. Most icy sections were covered up.
trail was fantastic despite the freezing wind and slippery slopes 10/5
Icey as hell bring hill sounds minimum. My two partners were more comfortable in crampons.
Phew! Kind of got my butt kicked out there today. DO NOT do this hike without crampons. Not microspikes... crampons. It was so icy and in some areas extremely dangerous. Aside from the ice it was a really beautiful today. So clear with breaks of sunshine. Took us about 6 hours round trip due to the traitorous areas. A really fun day if you’re prepared otherwise peak turning back. We skipped rocky repeal..some people coming back down said it was too dangerous. Be safe out there friends!
Slow as molasses hiking up, quick hike down with sliding First mile is meh both in and out, but afterwards it pretty cool.
Hiked this yesterday (Sat 11/14). Partly cloudy, but we had great views. We were able to get through the first few miles without spikes, but they were pretty much necessary after that (saw a few people without them). The toughest part of the trail is the ~.5 miles leaving giant on your way to rocky (and on the way back). It's a very sharp descent. Overall though, one of my favorite high peak hikes I've done so far.
Rare warm day in November. Snow and ice visible off trail but none on trail. Muddy between the peaks.
Would not recommend taking dogs that do not jump well. I took my German Shepherd (he’s done lots of other high peaks and loves hiking) but the rocks are large and were challenging for him to jump. Overall awesome time though!! Very muddy this time of year.
A nice hike but a bit of snow at the top and the wet leaves are slippery