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Keene, New York, United States

Upper Great Range

This very long hike will take you up the massive peaks of Saddleback, Basin and Haystack, grabbing you three more 46ers.

Upper Great Range
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Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 18.0 miles / 29 km
Duration: Full day
Dog Friendly
 
Overview: This hike will take you to 3 amazing 46er peaks including Mt. Haystack which I believe may have the best view of all the High Peaks. You will ascend the Ore Bed Brook Trail from Johns Brook Lodge until you get to the Range Trail to travel over Saddleback to Basin which is one of the steepest trails in the high peaks with a lot of scrambling over terraces of rock on the way (be careful). You will then ascend over the hump of Little Haystack to the summit of Haystack, the third highest peak in NY and then descend via the Phelps Trail back past Johns Brook Lodge to the trailhead completing the loop. This IS A LONG HIKE so you will want to get an early morning start even before the sun comes up to make sure you have time to enjoy the views.

Tips: The Garden Parking lot is easily found by following the signs for it in Keen Valley on Route 73. To get to Keen valley Take exit 30 off I-87 and head towards Lake Placid. There is a $7 a day fee to park in this lot and if it is super busy there is an overflow lot with a shuttle.

Points of Interest

Parking
map

The Garden Parking Lot
Park here and head down the trail marked "Phelps Trail" for 3.5 miles until you get to the famous Johns Brooke Lodge. Make sure to sign into the register.
Junction
map

Johns Brook Lodge
The historic Johns Brooke Lodge in the heart of the high peaks. You can reserve a bed at this lodge if you want to stay here. Look for Signs for the Ore Bed Brook Trail and continue south and upward on that trail. The trail will be heading off on the east side of the river. You will return to here on your way out as well.
Junction
map

Great Range Trail Intersection
Head west towards the summit of Saddleback Mountain from this junction
Mountain
map

Summit of Saddleback Mountain
At 4,528 feet you are the top of Saddleback Mountain. The summit has two distinctive summits which give it its name. The southern hump is the true summit and it overlooks a massive cliff down the south face.
Mountain
map

Summit of Basin
The ascent up to the top of Basin from Saddleback can be a tricky scramble on terraces of rock to the true summit at 4,826 feet. You will have fantastic views towards Haystack, Marcy and the rest of the High Peaks.
Mountain
map

Little Haystack
The lower summit of Haystack.
Mountain
map

Haystack Mountain Summit
At 4,961 feet you are now on the summit of beautiful Haystack Mountain with spectacular views towards Marcy and back down the Great Range.
Junction
map

Phelps Trail Junction
Instead of heading up Mt. Marcy (which you could if you had tons of energy but I doubt you will at this point) your best bet will be to head down the Phelps Trail back towards Johns Brook Lodge and then out to the trailhead. You'll have a long walk out from this point but because it is a loop hike at least you will have some different views.
Pictures in this guide taken by: JonathanEllinger, Tripper, mickie, cbrande1, msears101

Jonathan Ellinger
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About the Author

JonathanEllinger
JonathanEllinger
333 guides
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Although I have climbed over 250 mountains from various places around the U.S. and have hiked in Europe...

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