Challenge: 46 High Peaks · Loop Hike ·

#41 Dial Mountain

Dial Mountain is a pretty quick hike when starting from the Ausable Club’s Lake Road. It’s a pretty easy out and back unless you’d like to pair it with additional peaks. If you are to make the hike a loop and include Bear Den and Nippletop (which we recommend as it makes sense to snag Dial and Nippletop in one go), keep in mind that it requires a significant amount of climbing and descending. Check out our description of Nippletop for more details on this hike. And visit PureADK Perspectives to read a post that shares the personal experience Evan & Hilary had while hiking the loop.

Trail Stats:

Distance	9.4 miles round trip
Elevation	4,020 feet
Ascent	3,400 feet

*Note: 9.4 miles round trip if you are only hiking Dial and including the distance hiked along the Lake Road Trail. (It is 3.8 miles one-way to Dial from the Lake Road Trail)

If you are not a member or visitor of a member of the Ausable Club, you must sign in at the Watchman’s Hut at the entrance of the Lake Road and take the trail that follows along the lake road to the trailheads of the various peaks. We recommend (and will detail here) doing a loop that includes both Nippletop and Dial. To hike Dial, you will follow the Lake Road trail for 0.7 miles until you reach the trailhead for Dial. The trail will turn left off the Lake Road Trail and climbing moderately for 0.9 miles. It will continue on for another 0.2 miles, at which point the trail will open up to a view of Noonmark Mountain. Continue on for 0.5 miles to the west summit of Noonmark. The trail will swing sharply left here and descend to the col between Noonmark and Bear Den. The trail then climbs out of the col for 0.5 miles to the top of Bear Den Mountain.

Enjoy the summit of Bear Den before following the trail downhill another 0.5 miles to the col between Bear Den and Dial (if you hadn’t yet noticed, this hike has a fair bit of up and down, with 3 solid summits in it!). The trail then begins a nearly mile-long climb to the summit of Dial at 3.8 miles from the Lake Road. The view from Dial is sweeping and beautiful and somewhat unique. If you plan on continuing on the Nippletop, please see our description of that hike here!

Back to Adirondack Hiking

Trailhead Location

To get to the Ausable Club, you will drive down Route 73 from Keene Valley, taking a right on Ausable Club Road ~3 miles from downtown Keene Valley. Follow this road a short ways to a parking lot on your right. You will then have to walk ¾ of a mile along the road up to the watchman’s gate at the Ausable Club.

Depending on the time of year, a hiker parking reservation may be required. Although it is referred to as a "parking reservation," regardless of whether you drove yourself, rode a bike, were dropped off, or walked, you will need a reservation to access hikes in the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. See below for details:

⚠️ Take Note

Parking Reservation Required

No-cost reservations will be required May 1 through Oct. 31, 2023 for parking, daily access, and overnight access to trailheads and trails on AMR property.

Visitors can make reservations
beginning mid-April at www.hikeamr.org. Walk-in users without a reservation will not be permitted.

Reserve Spot

Keep it PURE

Remember to Leave No Trace! Buy a physical map, read it, plan, and prepare. Think about the NYS Rangers and medical personnel that exhaust themselves for a rescue that could have been avoided. Pack out your trash. Use a bear canister when primitive camping and cook away from where you’re sleeping. Do the rock walk to help reduce the impact on fragile alpine vegetation. Camp at designated campsites and never camp on or near summits.

The 46 of 46 Podcast

A docu-series chronicling one local hiker’s adventures in the Adirondack Mountains including his complete ADK 46’er journey, along with Summit Session conversations, Adirondack Campfire Stories, and more!

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more.

Listen Here

Take The Pledge!

#LoveYourADK

Each year, millions of people visit the public lands inside the Adirondacks. However you choose to spend your time here, we know the Adirondacks will hold a special place in your heart. We feel the same way. To Love Your Adirondacks is to protect the lands, waters, and communities we all know and love.

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ADK 46er Journey: Brecka Coonradt

We welcome Brecka Coonradt, who shares her experience hiking the 46 Adirondack High Peaks to become an ADK 46er. Enjoy following along below as she shares her stories and lessons learned throughout her journey.

ADK 46er Winter Journey: Jay Whitbourne

I have seen some of the most amazing cloud inversions during the winter and had some of the most surreal moments when the snow conditions are just right, the sky is clear, the wind is calm and the air isn't nipping at your skin.

ADK Winter 46er Journey: Sam Perkins

I have learned so much over the years, and I continue to learn each time I go for a hike. I could go on and on about gear, trails, mountains, clothing, etc. A lot of it has been trial and error. I have spent a lot of time reading, looking at maps, learning more about weather, researching different gear… the list goes on.

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