When we got to the summit of Mount Giant we saw only 4 people. Two of those people, an older gentlemen and a young guy, we saw throughout the day because they were about 30 minutes ahead of us. We met up with them again on Rocky Peak Ridge. As the day progressed there were more and more hikers on Giant and some even ventured over to Rocky Peak.
From the summit of Giant we hiked back 0.1 mile back to the intersection and sign that point towards Rocky Peak. The sign indicated the distance to be 1.2 miles. Beneath that the next destination is Rt 9 at New Russia 7.9 miles. We actually met a hiker who came from that direction and was concerned if he would make it back before dark.
As as soon as we began the descent to the col between Giant and Rocky Peak we came to a nice lookout point that gave us a great view of what our trail might look like--- and steep it was! At first there was several large sections of very steep open rock. It is was difficult to hike down it and thinking ahead even more difficult hiking up it. Closer to the col the gradient improved and the trail was more dirt than rock. At the col it was a rather flat trail for about 100 ft and then we began the ascent to the summit. To my surprise the ascent was a lot less challenging because the trail had skirted around the mountain as opposed to the straight down the mountain descent. We reached the summit in exactly one hour.
On the summit of Rocky Peak Ridge it was easy to appreciate the steep descent on Giant (trail was to the left of the slide in the photo below). At the summit we enjoy some different views not seen from the other summits because the mountain is furthest east. We were able to clearly distinguish Lincoln Pond to the right of Route 87 as well as Lake Champlain on the horizon. On a cooler and clearer day, the Green Mountains of Vermont could be easily seen.
Group summit photo
Cairn at the summit (my stone on the top)
To the east
To the west
After a 40 minute break and some photos we began our trek back to Mount Giant. In all honesty, I wasn't looking forward to ascending Giant but it had to be done. The Ibuprofen that we all took while coming down Giant towards Rocky Peak had fully kicked in so the discomfort was manageable. At this point it was a lot sunnier and that meant plenty of sweating for all of us. It took us another hour on the return trip. Once on Giant we took a short break and headed back down to Chapel Pond.
As we were nearing the end of the trail we see several EMT's on the trail ahead of us. While we were passing be couldn't help but notice the body that they were transport in on carrier wrapped in a blue tarp. At the trail's end we saw several police officers, a couple ambulances, and a coroner. It was a sad picture but nevertheless a reality that a hike in the mountains isn't a walk in the park. I couldn't help but think that someone had their last Cardiac Stress Test on Mount Giant! (Local newspaper later confirmed that a 66-yo male had an fetal MI near the Washbowl while hiking with friends)
On a brighter note, as we walked to our cars, I noticed several people swimming in Chapel Pond. There was a couple swimmers who were probably training for the IronMan Race the following day in Lake Placid.
Beach & swimming at Chapel Pond
HIKE TIMELINE
Chapel Pond Trailhead: 0745
Giant Summit: 1007
Break
Left Giant: 1046
Rocky Peak Ridge Summit: 1150
Break
Left Rocky Peak Ridge: 1236
Giant 2nd time: 1330
Left Giant:1343
Chapel Pond Trailhead: 1530
HIKE SUMMARY
Date: July 2014
Weather: 71 at trailhead, low 60's at summit
Elevation Gain: 3000+ ft
ADK 46er TALLY
#19 Rocky Peak Ridge (4390 ft) #22/46
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