Giant Mountain Wilderness Area
The Giant Mountain Wilderness (GMW) area lies in Essex County, in the towns of Elizabethtown and Keene, and is roughly bounded by Route 9N on the north, by Route 73 on the west and south and Route 9 on the east.
During 1903 one of the major forest fires of the Adirondacks swept over the greater part of this area, burning the topsoil down to bare rock and leaving the two dominant mountains of this area, Giant and Rocky Peak Ridge, practically bald. A few pockets on the lower slopes escaped the intense burn and are easily distinguishable as they now contain old growth white pine and hemlock stands with some mixed hardwoods.
The topography of the area is steep and rocky with a considerable number of vertical or near vertical cliffs. A number of landslides have occurred on the west side of Giant Mountain, exposing bare rock. Numerous small brooks cascade down from the upper slopes.
The tops of the higher mountains -are still bare rock but aspen, white birch, balsam and spruce are slowly filling in the upper slopes.
From the eastern boundary of Route 9, a few miles south of Elizabethtown, to the top of Giant Mountain, a horizontal distance of about six miles, the elevation change is about 4,000 foot, which represents the greatest differential in elevation per horizontal mile of any wilderness area.
Because of the great difference in temperatures and soil conditions between these two elevations, the forest cover type ranges from Stunted spruce, balsam and white birch near the mountain tops to excellent quality oak, maple, basswood and white ash at the lower elevations. There are also some excellent stands of hemlock on the Keene Valley side near the AuSable River.
Only two small ponds arc in the area, but each one is rather unique because of its location and attractiveness. Giant's Washbowl lies in a small depression near the 2,300 foot level on the lower south slope of Giant Mountain and has a surface area of about five acres. The lovely little tarn near the summit of Rocky Peak Ridge has been referred to locally by a number of different names, but a sign appeared in the early '70's with the name "Lake Marie Louise." It is reminiscent of the subalpine lakes of the western United States. The sharp col, referred to as Gusty Gap, between Giant Mountain and Rocky Peak Ridge is another attractive feature of the area.
Many small brooks cascade down from the upper slopes and one in particular, Roaring Brook, has a scenic waterfall which may be seen from Route 73, about one mile north of Chapel Pond. A number of similar brooks in the area provide scenic spots as well as trout fishing pools.
The primary users of the area are hikers who frequent it during all seasons of the year to enjoy the excellent views from numerous vantage points on the tops and sides of the mountains. Hunters also make considerable use of the area.
Access to the state lands around the perimeter is excellent, with trailheads available on each of the four sides.
This area fully complies with wilderness standards.
Giant Mountain area statistics:
- State Lands - 22,768 acres
- Bodies of Water (2) - 5 acres
- Elevation (minimum) - 700 feet
- Elevation (maximum) - 4,627 feet
- Foot Trails - 12.5 miles
- Lean-tos - 1
- Non-conforming Uses - None
Giant Mountain Wilderness UMP (Janaury, 2004)
Giant Mountain Wilderness Unit Management Plan (pdf, 350 kb)
Appendices to Unit Management Plan (pdf, 0.99 mb)
If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at r5ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us
