Noonmark – Should be on Everybody's

Favorites List

 

 

The view from the summit of Noonmark is about as good as any in the High Peaks, it certainly is one of my favorites. I decided to take advantage of a low humidity August day (dew Point in the mid 50's) to climb it via the northern Stimson trail. There are two trails (three routes) up Noonmark. The Stimson trail starts on the Ausable Club property, and you must park in a lot they kindly provide down near NY 73 or in the lot across the highway for Roaring Brook Falls. The first part of the trail follows Ausable Club roads until the road ends near an abandoned structure and the foot path begins.   This (Old Dix) trail leads through the pass between Noonmark and Round to end at the junction with the Dix trail and the Felix Adler trail to Noonmark. Part way along it reaches a junction with the Stimson trail about 0.6 miles from the main Ausable Club road. After taking a right onto the Stimson trail the ascent becomes quite steady. This trail has been the beneficiary of a great deal of construction and maintenance.  

After you ascend maybe 900 feet from the highway you will climb steeply and come to an area where it sort of looks like you could leave the trail for a view of Keene Valley. Instead, forge ahead for a further ascent of around 200 feet and you will come to the first of many excellent view points where this picture of the Ausable Club was taken. At this point you might hope that the climb will become more moderate ahead, not so. Fortunately there are plenty of other nice view points where you can rest.  

 

 

 

 

When you reach this spot and can see this view of the summit still ahead, you have climbed all but about 300 of the 2175 feet to the summit. This last section contains more steep parts, but that is why it is called mountain climbing. On the summit, there are unobstructed views in all directions. The one above is of the Great Range (including Haystack and Marcy).  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To your south west is Dix, shown here. There is also a view of Giant and Rocky Ridge which is better viewed from Round Mountain. I have never descended the Stimson trail. Instead I opt to descend via the Felix Adler trail and cross back through the pass between Noonmark and Round on the Old Dix trail. This route has many fewer extra steep portions but it does add around an extra 1.25 miles to your return. Another option is to climb Round Mountain on your way back to the Ausable club. You can also climb Noonmark from Route 73 by starting on the Dix trail past Round Pond. In this case you would ascend the last part of the trail that I descended.

NOTE: For a brief description of the trail, please see ADIRONDACK TRAILS - High Peaks Region 13th Edition , pp 89-92.

Hope you have a great hike!
Bob Goodwin