Hike Dial and Nippletop Mountains — Adirondack High Peaks in New York

What to bring

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Dial and Nippletop is one of the quieter routes into the Adirondack High Peaks — which means the 13-mile round trip through Bear Den, Dial, and Nippletop stays manageable even on peak summer weekends when the Great Range is a parade.

What to Expect

The trailhead is off Route 73, with limited parking for about 30 cars that fills fast. The first two miles follow a road walk through a golf course — it’s a weird way to start a wilderness hike but the access is what it is. The climb begins at the Hike to the Top (H.G.) trailhead and doesn’t really let up until Nippletop. Bear Den Mountain at 1.5 miles is a genuine peak in its own right, not just a speed bump — expect 1,560 feet of gain to reach it. From Bear Den the trail drops slightly before the push over Dial (3,990 feet), then continues the ridge to Nippletop (3,904 feet). Both summits have restricted but worthwhile views of the surrounding High Peaks.

The descent off Nippletop drops steeply to Elk Pass — 1,250 feet in 0.8 miles over wet, bare rock. This is where people get into trouble. Take your time. From Elk Pass it’s 4.9 miles back to the car with gradual downhill through forest. The trail passes several access points for other High Peaks, which makes for interesting navigation if you’re not paying attention.

Difficulty

The Elk Pass descent earns this a hard rating regardless of what any trailhead sign says. The cumulative elevation changes between peaks add up — the ADKs specialize in stripping your reserves on the rollercoaster sections between summits. Budget 8-10 hours.

Best Time to Go

September and October for dry rock on the Nippletop descent. Spring mud season (April-May) makes Elk Pass genuinely slippery. Summer works but the woods can be buggy in the lower sections.

Before You Go

Keene Valley is the nearest town. Cell service is scarce. Bring more water than you think — the high-elevation traverse between peaks has no reliable sources once you’re above Bear Den.

Best Hiking Season

Jan

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