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4,620 ft · Adirondack High Peaks, New York

Nippletop

Nippletop is a 4,620 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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Nippletop in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York

Nippletop at a glance

  • Elevation4,620 ft1,408 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, follow the Lake Road and the Elk Pass trail toward Nippletop, often via Dial and the Bear Den ridge. The hike is long with steady climbing and muddy, rooty sections. The summit gives strong views of the Great Range but is exposed to wind and fast weather. Private club land requires staying on marked trails. It is commonly done as a Dial and Nippletop loop. Carry ample water and food and start early for the significant mileage.

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

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

Nippletop on Yak

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

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Quests with Nippletop

Peaks near Nippletop

  1. Mount Colvin

    Mount Colvin

    4,057 ft · 1.0 mi away

  2. Blake Peak

    Blake Peak

    3,960 ft · 1.5 mi away

  3. Dial Mountain

    Dial Mountain

    4,020 ft · 1.5 mi away

  4. Dix Mountain

    Dix Mountain

    4,857 ft · 1.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Nippletop?

Nippletop is 4,620 feet (1,408 m) tall. It is in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York.

How does Nippletop rank among the Adirondack 46ers?

At 4,620 feet, Nippletop is the 13th highest of the 46 Adirondack 46ers. The highest is Mount Marcy.

How hard is it to hike Nippletop?

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 Nippletop?

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 Nippletop?

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 Nippletop?

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 Nippletop?

The Dial Mountain and Nippletop starts at about 1,260 feet, roughly 3,360 feet below the summit.

Climb Nippletop 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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