ADIRONDACKREGION.COM
AdirondackRegion.com

Rooster Comb Trail

A modest but rewarding climb of roughly 3.6 kilometers, this NYSDEC trail threads through the eastern High Peaks wilderness to a rocky summit that commands views over the Giant Mountain range. Yellow disks mark the initial ascent to the Rooster Comb–Hedgehog junction, where the route transitions to blue blazes for the final push to the top. The dual-color system, unusual in the region, lends a clarity to navigation that newer hikers often appreciate while the ledges near the summit offer experienced scramblers a taste of exposure without technical difficulty.

Length
2.2 mi
Operator
NYSDEC
Network
lwn
Difficulty
Not rated
Loading map…
Elevation profile
Max 2,759 ftMin 1,030 ftNet gain 1,817 ft
2,759 ft1,030 ft0 mi0.6 mi1.1 mi1.7 mi2.2 mi
§ Listed trailheads nearby

Curated trailheads & parking near this route

Editorial trailhead listings within roughly 3 miles. Useful for permit info, parking capacity, and access-road conditions.

§ Closest essentials

Nearest, each within 25 miles

Coffee
Old Mountain Coffee Company
0.9 mi away
Restaurant
Noon Mark Diner
0.9 mi away
General store
East Branch Organics
5.0 mi away
Shelter
Deer Brook Lean-To
1.7 mi away
§ Nearby Points of Interest
Peaks (12)
Lakes & ponds (41)
Trails (24)
Shelters (2)
  • Wilderness Inn Restaurant Bar13.9 mi
  • Johns Brook Lodge3.4 mi
Lean-tos (101)
  • Lost Pond/Biesemeyer Lean-To7.2 mi
  • High Peaks Lean-To5.1 mi
  • Lake Placid Site 2 Lean-To13.1 mi
  • Howard Lean-to3.1 mi
  • Beaver Point #29.9 mi
  • Calamity Lean-to10.7 mi
  • Flowed Lands Lean-to10.6 mi
  • Herbert Brook Lean-to10.2 mi
Primitive campsites (206)
  • NYSDEC1.4 mi
  • NYSDEC1.7 mi
  • NYSDEC2.7 mi
  • Base Of Roaring Brook Falls Campsite2.7 mi
  • Base Of Roaring Brook Falls Campsite2.7 mi
  • NYS DEC2.8 mi
  • Top Of Roaring Brook Falls Campsite2.8 mi
  • Jct Roaring Brook Trail To Washbowl Trail3.0 mi
§ Nearby parking

280 parking areas· 2 accessible

Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data; surface and capacity from OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.

+272 more on the map above

§ The Field Notes

Add to the record.

§ Reader account
Start your Logbook.

Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.

Every page on this site gets better when readers contribute. Mark a peak you’ve climbed, drop a photo, file a field note, or flag a correction — every addition makes the next visitor’s page better.

Field notes and corrections are reviewed before they appear publicly. Photos and Logbook entries post immediately.§ Maintain or steward this trail? Get in touch →
§ Nearby vacation rentals

Closest cabins, camps & lakefront rentals

§ More field guides

Continue exploring.

All guides
§ Frequently asked