Monday, April 29, 2013

Mount Gilligan, Friday, April 26, 2013, Adirondack Park

View of Giant Mountain Wilderness from Mount Gilligan
Mount Gillian is a fun little climb on the eastern end of the Adirondacks. Originally known as Mount Sunrise, Gilligan rises steeply above the banks of the Boquet River to a nice open ledge and then on to a relaxing, rocky summit. Despite its short distance (only 1.1 miles), the trail does has one super steep, hand-over-hand section leading up to the first ledge. After that, it's a gradual meander up to the summit which offers some nice views. If you want to reach the true summit, it's about 50 years beyond this point - where a marker announces the end of the foot trail.

Gilligan is a lesser hiked trail, and therefore offers a good opportunity for trail solitude. Its location on the edge of the park, not too far from the Northway, makes it a great first climb of a weekend visit.

Peak: Mount Gilligan
Elevation: 1,420 feel (Gain: 670 feet)
Distance: 2.2 miles, up and back
Conditions: Partly sunny, light rain, 55 degrees F