Giant Washbowl Via Ridge Trail

This hike in the Adirondacks is a real butt-kicker as you huff it nearly 700 ft UP the Ridge Trail in less than a mile to Giant Washbowl Lake. Enjoy the serene lake and views of hillsides painted in red and yellow as your reward! Good trail to get the heart going and legs burning. When you get to the lake go straight across the wooden bridge to the Nubble. Beautiful vistas and a gorgeous view at the top. You can either chose to complete the loop or go back the same way. If you continue on the loop: after ascending down the trail to the T then turning left to hike back to the pond the descent is steep and exhausting. The trail was worth the effort and beautiful. (Kids did well: 11, 9, & 8 year olds.)   Submitted by Joe Linehan