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4,020 ft · Adirondack High Peaks, New York

Dial Mountain

Dial Mountain is a 4,020 ft peak in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York. The standard route is the Dial Mountain and Nippletop: 13 mi, 4,163 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Dial Mountain in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York

Dial Mountain at a glance

  • Elevation4,020 ft1,225 m
  • RouteDial Mountain and NippletopClass 2
  • Distance13 mi4,163 ft gain
  • Time9 – 11 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeAdirondack High PeaksNew York

Climbing the Dial Mountain and Nippletop

From St. Huberts (Ausable Club) off Route 73, Dial is usually climbed via the Bear Den and Dial ridge, often as a loop with Nippletop. The trail is steady with rocky, rooty sections and some open ledges with views. Exposed spots catch wind and quick weather. Stay on marked trails through private club land. The ridge is long, so pace yourself and carry enough water since it is dry. Start early to beat storms and finish the full loop with daylight to spare.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (20–30 L)
  • Water
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline Maps
  • Compass
  • Headlamp
  • Power Bank
  • Hiking Boots
  • Trekking Poles
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Light Gloves
  • Buff
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • High winds
  • Storms
  • Cold summit conditions
  • Rapid weather shifts
  • Slippery terrain
  • Insects
  • Low visibility

Dial Mountain on Yak

Climbers have shared 7 climbs of Dial Mountain on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app

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Quests with Dial Mountain

Peaks near Dial Mountain

  1. Nippletop

    Nippletop

    4,620 ft · 1.5 mi away

  2. Dix Mountain

    Dix Mountain

    4,857 ft · 1.7 mi away

  3. Mount Colvin

    Mount Colvin

    4,057 ft · 2.1 mi away

  4. Hough Peak

    Hough Peak

    4,400 ft · 2.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Dial Mountain?

Dial Mountain is 4,020 feet (1,225 m) tall. It is in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York.

How does Dial Mountain rank among the Adirondack 46ers?

At 4,020 feet, Dial Mountain is the 41st highest of the 46 Adirondack 46ers. The highest is Mount Marcy.

How hard is it to hike Dial Mountain?

The Dial Mountain and Nippletop is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 13 miles with 4,163 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Dial Mountain?

Most people take 9 – 11 hours round trip on the Dial Mountain and Nippletop, covering 13 miles with 4,163 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Dial Mountain?

The Dial Mountain and Nippletop needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 13 miles with 4,163 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

When is the best time to hike Dial Mountain?

The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

What is the trailhead elevation for Dial Mountain?

The Dial Mountain and Nippletop starts at about 1,260 feet, roughly 2,760 feet below the summit.

Climb Dial Mountain with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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