The Gothics
Scenic and Destination Hikes Adirondack High Peaks
Trail Head:
John Brooks (Garden parking area)
Length: 14 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Difficult
Activities: hiking
Elevation: 4,734 ft. Elevation change: 3111 ft.
Gothics got its name due to its resemblance to Gothic architecture. The summit has some amazing 360 views, which combined with its location in the High Peaks Region, gives splendid views of the Adirondacks.1
Gothics is the tenth highest mountain in the Adirondacks and one that offers the most challenging “climb” in that there are large fixed cables as well as ladders at strategic points on the mountain. The peak itself can best be described as the most dramatic in the Adirondacks after Marcy and Whiteface. There are at least five areas of open rock surrounding the peak giving it a somewhat alpine look. It has three distinct summit bumps along its summit ridge, the highest being the last. There is also a very distinct cirque between it and the nearby Panther Peak. 2
Marcy may be the tallest mountain in the Adirondacks, but Gothics, at 4,736 feet, is definitely a tough climb for any hiker. There are tricky sections where you’ll need to maneuver around washouts, do some class-two scrambling and latch on to a fixed cable system. Once you’ve conquered the first peak, you’ve still got to hop over two more before you can head back down to the car (and hopefully a hearty dinner).3
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothics
2 http://www.summitpost.org/gothics/150554
3 http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/outposts/post/challenge-yourself-on-a-summer-adirondacks-hike-to-gothics-peak/