Name: Giant of the Valley & Rocky Peak Ridge
Difficulty: Moderate, 5 out of 10
Time _frame_: about 2.5 hours for Giant + 1 hour for Rocky Peak
Right off Route 73, we always seem to pass these mountains as you travel from the Northway to Lake Placid. Giant seems to literally dominate that area with it's majestic size, here's why you might want to climb these two peaks this fall! They are super easy to access, right along a major road between Keene and Lake Placid on Route 73. You'll be up on Giant within 2 hours of easy hiking and in another hour you'll be at your second summit Rocky Peak Ridge.
Now here's the fun part, Giant and Rocky Peak offer some of the best views in the Adirondack Park, especially in the fall with the foliage. Once on the Summit you get a great view of the often hidden Lake Champlain Region, and looking back towards the High Peaks you'll get great views of Gothics, Basin and the Dix Range.
You also have some choices for what trails to take, there are at least two main trails starting at the base of Giant. Many people to make a big loop of these trails to see it all, and arrange one car to get back to their starting spot. Another notable but longer climb is to climb the Ridge that goes over Rocky Peak by starting at the trail head on Route 9. This is apparently one beautiful climb on a clear fall day, travel on Trail #112 Yellow.
Another nice thing is you have a choice depending on how you feel that day if you wish to do both Peaks in one day. It looks quite far, but it should really only take just over an hour to get from one Peak to the other.
Where to start: Drive your vehicle up the Northway to exit 30 (Keene/Lake Placid), and head west on Route 73 towards Lake Placid. Just as you see Chapel Pond on the left you'll see a parking area for Giant Mountain. If you decide to do the Roaring Brook trail continue along 73 a little farther. Park your car and you're approximately 2.5 hours from the Summit of Giant.
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