Nippletop
- Distance~10.3 miRound trip
- Summit4,620 ftElevation
Nippletop is an Adirondack High Peak that makes the most sense as part of a longer day. A long, level approach comes before steeper trail, which gives it a significant mileage number even though the climb itself is not terribly long. Adding Dial Mountain and Bear Den as a loop makes good use of that approach and picks up another 46er, but keep in mind that it means a significant amount of climbing and descending.
The route
The route starts on Adirondack Mountain Reserve land and follows the trail along Lake Road. We recommend the loop over Dial first, then Nippletop, with the Gill Brook Trail as the way down.
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0 – 0.7 mi
Lake Road to the Dial trail
Follow the trail along Lake Road for 0.7 miles to the trailhead for Nippletop and Dial, then turn left off the Lake Road trail.
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To 3.8 mi
Over Bear Den to Dial
Climb moderately for 0.9 miles and continue another 0.2 miles, where the trail opens to a view of Noonmark Mountain. Continue 0.5 miles to the west summit of Noonmark. The trail swings sharply left here and descends to the col between Noonmark and Bear Den, then climbs out of the col for 0.5 miles to the top of Bear Den Mountain. Follow the trail downhill another 0.5 miles to the col between Bear Den and Dial, then begin a nearly mile-long climb to the summit of Dial at 3.8 miles.
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3.8 – 4.3 mi
Dial to South Dial
Head downhill for 0.2 miles into another col, then climb for 0.3 miles to the summit of a lower mountain often called South Dial, at 4.3 miles.
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4.3 – 5.9 mi
South Dial to Nippletop
Descend briefly into a col, then ascend steadily for a mile to a small summit. Continue 0.2 miles at a fairly level grade to the intersection with the Elk Pass Trail. Continue straight ahead and to the left at this intersection until you reach the summit of Nippletop at 5.9 miles.
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From 5.9 mi
Down the Gill Brook Trail
Head back down to the intersection with the Elk Pass Trail. The trail descends somewhat steeply at first, passing some ponds until you reach the turnoff for the Colvin Trail. Stay right, and continue right past another two turnoffs to stay on the Gill Brook Trail. It carries you all the way back to the Lake Road trail, which you follow for 0.9 miles back to the start.
The views
Given its relatively remote location and its views of the vast wilderness, some have said Nippletop has one of the top three views of any of the High Peaks. The loop also gives you a look at Noonmark Mountain on the way up and a break on three solid summits.
Other routes
There are two trails up Nippletop, both beginning at Lake Road. To climb Nippletop first, continue along the Lake Road trail for another 0.2 miles past the Dial turnoff, for a total of 0.9 miles from the start. Hiked on its own, Nippletop is 8.8 miles round trip.
Often hiked with
The long approach makes Dial Mountain the natural partner for Nippletop, and Bear Den comes along for free on the loop. Read our Dial and Nippletop loop trip report for a first-hand account.
High Peak details
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- 46er rank
- #13 of 46
- Range
- Colvin Range
- Trail type
- Marked trail
- Trailhead
- Lake Road, Adirondack Mountain Reserve
- Route
- Loop with Bear Den and Dial Mountain
- Nippletop only
- 8.8 mi round trip
Trail resources
- Conditions
- Conditions change fast. Check current trail conditions and DEC's High Peaks page before heading out.
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