Everything You Need to Know About Big Slide High Peak in the Adirondack Mountains

Big Slide is one of the Adirondack high peaks a part of the Adirondack 46er Challenge. Big Slide is a great but difficult hike that has BEAUTIFUL views throughout the hike. There are a couple different ridge lines that are gorgeous places to see. Big Slide is located in Keene Valley, New York which is about 30 minutes south of Lake Placid. 

In total, Big Slide is about 8 miles with a little over 3,000ft of elevation gain. When I hiked this peak I remember this being a difficult hike but I think that’s because it was 80℉ when I hiked it. Big Slide does have a smaller summit, so I would try and hike this on a weekday if you can or early in the morning to avoid the crowds. However, the views on the summit are really stunning.

In this blog post you will read about Big Slide Mountain, big slide hike, big slide trail conditions, big slide mountain hike time, big slide hike Adirondacks, big slide mountain elevation, big slide mountain adk, big slide mountain parking, Big Slide Lake Placid, Big Slide Brewery Lake Placid, and much more.

This post is all about Big Slide.

Big Slide :

Big Slide Mountain Parking

Okay, parking at big slide can be tricky, especially in the summer season aka the most popular time to hike in the Adirondacks. The parking lot size is decent however, it’s also the parking lot for the John Brook Lodge and allows you access to many other high peak. Which is why it gets filled super easily and early on weekends. Also, the last mile is on dirt roads, so keep that in mind when deciding what vehicle to drive up the dirt road.

You will have to pay to park here. It’s been a couple years since I hiked Big Slide but I believe it cost $10 to park here. You will want to bring exact change as well, as sometimes there is not an attendant at the window. Also, I would plan to get here no later than 7am on a weekend in the summer (from June through September). And on a weekday no later than 8am. Like I said this parking lot gets full QUICKLY, especially on weekends in the summer. So again, just plan ahead for this.

How to Get There

To get to big slide you will get on Interstate 87 North or South, depending on where you are driving from. You will get off on Exit 30 to Whiteface, Keene, and Lake Placid. If coming northbound you will take a left onto Route 73 and if coming southbound you will take a right onto Route 73. In 2.2 miles you will take a slight left turn onto Route 73 towards Whiteface and Lake Placid. Then in 8.4 miles take a left onto Adirondack Street. Drive another .6 of a mile, then take a left onto Interbrook Road. Finally, in about .9 of a mile you will arrive at the parking lot and trailhead.

Big Slide Trail Conditions

This hike is about 8-9 miles long with an elevation gain of 3,116ft. It is the 27th highest peak out of the Adirondack 46ers and stands at 4,240ft. When you first start your hike, you want to go to the hiker registration area, then continue to your right. There will be another trail split shortly after where again, you will go to your right. You will be following the Brothers Trail. In about 2.3 (maybe add 1.6 miles) you will come to the Brothers peak, then you will see the First Brothers peak shortly after. Then you will come across the Second Brothers peak.

There will be a lot of open ridges here. In another another half a mile or so, you will come across the final brothers peak, Third Brother at 3,721ft. At about 3.9 mils you will come to another intersection, where again, you want to stay to your right. There will be a ladder you will have to come up that is not too intense. In about half a mile you will come to the summit. The summit is beautiful (pictures are below) and there are lots of ridge lines leading up to the summit to make it an even prettier hike.

Big Slide is a small summit. So like I said above, I would advise hiking this on a weekday, so there aren’t as many people. Or get there early on a weekend, like 6 or 7am. Then after your hike you can go swimming at Chapel Pond. Overall, with breaks and a decent amount of time at the summit, this hike took me about 5 hours to complete when I hiked it, and I’m a moderate to face paced hiker.

Big Slide Brewery Lake Placid

Another great place you could visit after your hike is the Big Slide Brewery located in Lake Placid. It is about a 30 minute drive from Big Slide Mountain. To get there you will drive out of the parking lot and in about .9 of a mile you will turn left onto Interbrook Road. Then in .6 of a mile take another left onto Route 73. Continue on Route 73 for another 4.8 miles, then keep left onto the High Peaks or Route 73. Continue straight for another 13 miles, then take a right, then a left in 250ft. Then the destination will be on your left.

They have a lot of beers on tap and their own. Here is a list of their on tap beers. They also have a great menu that you can find here, especially for after hiking. They are open Monday through Saturday from 11:30am – 9pm and on Sunday from 10am – 9pm.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I think Big Slide is a great hike, it is definitely a difficult hike but worth it for the views. I really like that this hike has views pretty much all the way to the summit. The only negative about this hike is the small summit and the sometimes unavailable parking. Otherwise, this is a great hike and a great second 46er hike after Cascade and Porter, if you want to complete the Adirondack 46er Challenge.

I hope this article was helpful for you and you continue on your 46er journey or enjoy a great hike if you don’t want to become a 46er. Thank you so much for reading and I hope you hike Big Slide Mountain.