Mount Haystack is remote, at five hours from the nearest trailhead. It is my favorite summit in the Adirondacks and I think the most beautiful. October 14, 2014
Wow. Great video. Seems to go on forever. I climbed it as the last of 4 of the upper range in one day with a group of older boys. (Gothics, Saddleback, Basin). Did not go to Marcy that day but climbed that 6 other times. I will always feel grateful I got to Haystack. Incredible views.
That short climb at 14:00 was the end for me. I spent perhaps 15 minutes trying to figure it out. First I tried that long crack in the center of the face (I blame the yellow blazes) then to the far left where you made it up in under 60 seconds. I had a moment of panic as I attempted to "traverse" the face at that spot which sent me back down. I could not overcome my fear. Kudos to you...and the millions of others who've summited Haystack.
I regret it. I should have removed my backpack, tightened my bootlaces and tried again. If it weren't for the 6-hour walk in, I'd go back before the weather turns.
I’m planning on doing Haystack at the end of the week. I’ll likely start at the Garden Parking area and go direct instead of over the loops. Is this the way that you took in?
Thanks for the step-by-step video. It's been nearly 30 years since my last (and only) ascent of Haystack. I'm a bit older now, but I want to do it again. This gives me an added incentive to get into tip-top shape.
@@Eric_the_Hiking that's encouraging. I attempted to get to the summit of Marcy last August and fell short by about an eighth of a mile and a few hundred vertical feet. I've trimmed down 40 lbs this past year and will attempt it next month again.
excellent video -- I was hoping for something like this. I finally got a close-up look at Haystack while on Marcy the other day. Its surly reputation has me scared and this video did little to dispel it.
The only part that can be a problem for some people is the descent after Little Haystack. It is a bit steep but on a dry day there is good traction and you'll be fine. I did this hike again this summer. On my way up Little Haystack, I passed a woman with her two sons. She had a fear of heights, let out little screams and curses but kept pushing through it. It was both funny and impressive.
im thinking about doing the haystack loop, doing saddleback then, basin, and then haystack, and then camping on phelps trail for the night. next day doing marcy and then going back up phelps to the trailhead. most of the videos i have seen have gone the reverse direction. do you have any advice on that
I was able to get up Haystack in some heavy rain conditions and was by myself on that one. Its very steep but doable. Would be pretty sketchy coming down Little haystack in the winter though!
On more question: can someone clear this up for me? Is the rounded peak to the left of Marcy Skylight or Gray? I believe it's Skylight, but not sure...
Absolutely breathtaking! Thank you for taking me along! I love the little trail marker stone piles! Anyone in particular that has made them, or is it something hikers have added to over the years? And wow! That view from the summit.......
I have a morbid fear of heights but supported my 14 year old nephew by climbing Marcy last year. (I stayed at the treeline while he finished the climb). This year we did Phelps, which I managed with some difficulty. I pooped out this week on the way up to Algonquin but a friend and my nephew made it. He's talking about trying Haystack next year and it's obviously beyond my abilities. Are there any especially dangerous spots, or can I trust him to climb with a friend of mine who's fairly experienced?
I would say yes, if you trust your friend's judgment and your nephew had no problem with Algonquin. There is more scrambling on this hike, but nothing I would call dangerous, on a dry day.
I started at the Garden Parking Lot, took the Phelps Trail and the Haystack Trail. This video begins at the junction of the Haystack Trail and the Range Trail.
I did Haystack alongside Redfield(1st time) Gray Peak and Skylight during my 21 hour hike in the Adirondacks last Fall
Wow. Great video. Seems to go on forever. I climbed it as the last of 4 of the upper range in one day with a group of older boys. (Gothics, Saddleback, Basin). Did not go to Marcy that day but climbed that 6 other times. I will always feel grateful I got to Haystack. Incredible views.
That first part shows a false summit. Owls Head had lots of those…..when you could climb Owls Head.
That short climb at 14:00 was the end for me. I spent perhaps 15 minutes trying to figure it out. First I tried that long crack in the center of the face (I blame the yellow blazes) then to the far left where you made it up in under 60 seconds. I had a moment of panic as I attempted to "traverse" the face at that spot which sent me back down. I could not overcome my fear. Kudos to you...and the millions of others who've summited Haystack.
I'm a bit surprised that after getting through Little Haystack this part stopped you. You were so close.
I regret it. I should have removed my backpack, tightened my bootlaces and tried again. If it weren't for the 6-hour walk in, I'd go back before the weather turns.
Adks are better than the Whites I know the Whites are taller but Adk is more voluminous and untamed!!
Don't forget Baxter State Park!
@@Eric_the_Hiking yes sir! I mean never been I'm sure it's bigger and maybe more grand but not densely voluminous like the high peaks..
I’m planning on doing Haystack at the end of the week. I’ll likely start at the Garden Parking area and go direct instead of over the loops. Is this the way that you took in?
Yes it is. It's the relatively shorter way of getting to that summit.
I need to be here. I think it has the most glorious summit wow!!
I climbed the High Peaks from '71 to 2004. This brings back great memories. Thank you. Great vid.
I can't wait to be able to go there again. I really miss it.
@@Eric_the_Hiking I had a brain aneurysm which changed my life somewhat. Now I write.
Beautiful video! Thank you for bringing me back. It’s been 20 years since and one I long to go back to hike
Great video man, I haven't been on top since 1972 and this is as close to being there again as I'll ever get!
I haven't been allowed to cross the border for almost two years now and I miss the ADKs, the Whites and Baxter State Park tremendously.
Thanks for the step-by-step video. It's been nearly 30 years since my last (and only) ascent of Haystack. I'm a bit older now, but I want to do it again. This gives me an added incentive to get into tip-top shape.
I have seen a man in his mid-seventies summit Haystack, but I think that he spent a night at the Johns Brook Lodge.
@@Eric_the_Hiking that's encouraging. I attempted to get to the summit of Marcy last August and fell short by about an eighth of a mile and a few hundred vertical feet. I've trimmed down 40 lbs this past year and will attempt it next month again.
You hiked this alone?
Yes, like most of my hikes.
excellent video -- I was hoping for something like this. I finally got a close-up look at Haystack while on Marcy the other day. Its surly reputation has me scared and this video did little to dispel it.
The only part that can be a problem for some people is the descent after Little Haystack. It is a bit steep but on a dry day there is good traction and you'll be fine. I did this hike again this summer. On my way up Little Haystack, I passed a woman with her two sons. She had a fear of heights, let out little screams and curses but kept pushing through it. It was both funny and impressive.
im thinking about doing the haystack loop, doing saddleback then, basin, and then haystack, and then camping on phelps trail for the night. next day doing marcy and then going back up phelps to the trailhead. most of the videos i have seen have gone the reverse direction. do you have any advice on that
I was able to get up Haystack in some heavy rain conditions and was by myself on that one. Its very steep but doable. Would be pretty sketchy coming down Little haystack in the winter though!
On more question: can someone clear this up for me? Is the rounded peak to the left of Marcy Skylight or Gray? I believe it's Skylight, but not sure...
I think that it's Skylight.
peakvisor.com/peak/mount-haystack.html?yaw=-86.36&pitch=-3.79&hfov=70.81
What kind of camera (go pro?) are you using?
That's a first generation Sony Action Cam, the HDR-AS10.
The Adirondacks are impressive.
I consider myself lucky to live close enough to go for day hikes there.
@@Eric_the_Hiking They're on my bucket list. Maybe in a couple of years.
Panther Gorge. NIce hike, man!
Absolutely breathtaking! Thank you for taking me along! I love the little trail marker stone piles! Anyone in particular that has made them, or is it something hikers have added to over the years? And wow! That view from the summit.......
I think that etiquette in the Adirondacks is to leave cairn stacking to the summit stewards.
WOW! That was outstanding!!!!
Are you wearing a go pro, very stable video
I'm wearing the Sony equivalent of a GoPro.
I have a morbid fear of heights but supported my 14 year old nephew by climbing Marcy last year. (I stayed at the treeline while he finished the climb). This year we did Phelps, which I managed with some difficulty. I pooped out this week on the way up to Algonquin but a friend and my nephew made it. He's talking about trying Haystack next year and it's obviously beyond my abilities. Are there any especially dangerous spots, or can I trust him to climb with a friend of mine who's fairly experienced?
I would say yes, if you trust your friend's judgment and your nephew had no problem with Algonquin. There is more scrambling on this hike, but nothing I would call dangerous, on a dry day.
Thanks for your response! I've subscribed to your channel and will refer my nephew to it as well. Thanks again.
You're welcome. Haystack has the best summit in the Adirondacks. They'll enjoy it.
You should try Algonquin again and push yourself. The view is beyond spectacular and worth it.
@@kenkaplan3654thanks for the encouragement, Ken. I have a co worker that's been saying the same thing. I may get there yet. 🙂
What trail were you on exactly for your summit of Haystack? Did you begin in Panther Gorge?
I started at the Garden Parking Lot, took the Phelps Trail and the Haystack Trail. This video begins at the junction of the Haystack Trail and the Range Trail.