Noble Mountain (2927') - Giant Mountain Wilderness Area - 4/26/15

After thoroughly enjoying a hike up Holcomb and Deer Mountains in the Giant Mountain Wilderness Area last weekend, I came back today to tackle Noble Mountain.

I parked the car at the designated campspot off of Route 9, just north of the intersection of  Route 9 and 73.  With great difficulty (and with water shoes), I found a place to cross the Boquet River with only a couple steps taken in the cold water.  This was the hardest part of the whole trip.  In summer, and with lower water, it would be much easier.

Rev and I headed north winding our way through the series of cliff bands just north of the Boquet.

    

The beautiful Boquet River

Next we followed the southern spine of the Noble Mountain ridge as it wound first NW then NE.  

The Dix Range.

 Threre were quite a few slabs of rock along the way where views were plentiful.

Rev's always first up

Looking northeast

Just shy of the SE knob, or false summit, was a big slab of rock where I built a small cairn atop a pyramidal shaped rock.  Although the skies look cloudy in most of these pictures, there were more breaks of sun than expected; a pleasant surprise!

I built this little cairn.  In the background is the Dix Range on the left and part of the great range on the right. 

The SE knob was the highlight of the trip.  Great views and an interesting rock formation were the highlight.

A fun rock formation on the SE knob

The final push to Noble was easily visible to the north, and it consisted of light hardwoods.

The profile of Noble Mountain ,as seen from the SE knob.

Approaching the summit 

A large rock within sight of the true summit

The summit itself was unspectacular.  Some views could be found walking to the west edge of the ridge.  Lots of prickers/nettles were located in portions of the summit area.  

Rev, waiting for me at the summit

An interesting stump near the summit

The combination of dying birches and streaky gray sky provided a stark landscape

Back to the SE knob

Looking south

Looking north

Rev took us back by following our scent 

While Noble Mountain is less than notable, the hike leading up to the SE knob is interesting and worthwhile.

Hike Stats:
Hike Distance:  6.5 miles
Hike Time:  4.5 hours
Total Vertical Gain:  ~ 2200'

The route (click image to enlarge)

Iron Mountain - Giant Mountain Wilderness Area - 4/19/14

Today I wanted to find a hike with views, but I didn't want to get high enough that I would have to deal with soft melting snow.  I was worried that it would be hard on my dog if she kept sinking in deep soft snow.

 

I came up with the thought of climbing Iron Mountain in the Giant Mountain Wilderness from Route 9, just north of New Russia.  State land touches the road at that point and there is a pull off on the west side of the road there.  I didn't see a state land sign by the pull off, but there was one just to the south and there were no posted signs.  I was sure I was in the right spot.

 

There is an old logging road that leads into the woods from that point.  I headed SW following the logging road.  It quickly turned NW near a waterfall.  There was a main trunk road and lots of old side roads.  I stayed on the primary road for .9 miles at which time I reached a drainage coming from the col between Iron Mountain and the rock ledge I wanted to visit. 

 

 

A waterfall behind ice near the road

 

At this point I turned SW again following the drainage.  The woods were open, and with no leaves on the trees, I could now see that the drainage was indeed leading me right to where I wanted to go.  Soon I could see the open rock that is shown on the topo map.  The rock was huge!  It reminded me of the slab on Hopkins Mountain in Keene Valley.

 

  

 

 

Rev was the first to reach the top.  She roamed all around as I took too many pictures.  There were great views of Bald, Rocky Peak Ridge, Giant and Green Mountains.  

 

  

 

 

Rev standing near the old survey station bolts on the open ledge

 

On this open summit I find the old survey station bolts that I had heard were at this location. 

 

 

 



An old survey station bolt



 

Rev continued to be curious about everything and I took some shots of her.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Bald Peak and RPR.  Giant is in the clouds

 

  

Panorama

 

 

The summit of Iron Mountain in the distance

 

I just kept taking pictures of  Giant and RPR.  I knew I'd probably delete most of them, but you never know which ones will be the keepers.  I left a few here below even though they're somewhat similar. 

 

 

Looking east from the open ledge

 

 

 

Bald, RPR and Giant from the second open rock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the view from the summit of Iron Mountain

It had only taken one hour to reach the open rock, since it was only 1.5 miles from the car.  It took me another hour to reach the true summit (since I was taking so many pictures).   Also Rev and I had eaten lunch on the 1st open rock.

 

This really was a nice summit and it felt quite remote even though the hike was short.  I could have continued on to Owl Head Lookout, but I had other plans for later in the day.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I'll be back to this location for sure.  It's a nice place to bring someone that wants a great view without a whole day effort.

 

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  4.7 miles

Hike Time:  3.5 hours (including stops)

Total Vertical Gain:  ~ 1900'

Iron Mountain Summit Elevation:  2451'

 

The route (click image to enlarge)

 

A map of the general area