Introduction

Nippletop Peak is one of the 46 high peaks in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. It’s a popular destination for hikers due to its stunning views and challenging terrain. The peak can be hiked on its own, or as part of a longer trek that includes neighboring peaks like Dial, Colvin, and Blake. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know to plan a successful hike up Nippletop Peak.

Getting There

There are two main trailheads for hiking Nippletop Peak. The first is the Ausable Club Parking Lot, located on Ausable Road in Keene Valley. The second is the St. Huberts Parking Lot, located on Route 73 in Keene. From either trailhead, the hike to the summit is approximately 7.5 miles round-trip.

The Ausable Club Parking Lot is the starting point for the popular Nippletop and Dial Mountains loop. From the parking lot, follow the trail past the Ausable Club and onto the Lake Road. Continue on the Lake Road until you reach the Gill Brook Trail, which will take you to the summit of Dial Mountain. From there, follow the ridge to Nippletop Peak.

The St. Huberts Parking Lot is the starting point for the Colvin and Blake Peak loop. From the parking lot, take the trail to Indian Head and then follow the trail to the summit of Colvin Mountain. From there, continue on to Blake Peak and then to Nippletop Peak.

The Hike

The hike up Nippletop Peak is challenging but rewarding. The trail features steep ascents and descents, rocky terrain, and a few tricky scrambles. However, the stunning views from the summit make it all worth it.

The first section of the trail follows a gentle incline through the forest. After about a mile, the trail becomes steeper as it climbs up the side of Dial Mountain. From the summit of Dial, hikers can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

The trail then descends into the col between Dial and Nippletop. From there, it’s a steep climb to the summit of Nippletop. Along the way, hikers will encounter some rocky scrambles and sections of exposed rock. However, the views from the top are truly breathtaking, with panoramic views of the High Peaks region.

After taking in the views, hikers can retrace their steps back to the trailhead, or continue on to neighboring peaks like Colvin and Blake.