Primary Route
AMR to Nippletop and Dial loop
Standard Route
Nippletop and Dial form a long AMR loop above the Ausable Lakes, pairing the steep Elk Pass climb to Nippletop with a rolling ridge return over Dial, Bear Den, and Noonmark’s Shoulder.
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Route map
AMR to Nippletop and Dial loop
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Planning use
Use the route line and GPX as planning aids. Carry a physical map and verify current official conditions before relying on any route.
Open the Interactive 46 High Peaks MapRoute History
Nippletop and Dial sit near Colvin, Blake, and the Dix Range, and both names carry older Adirondack naming stories. Nippletop’s name is tied to its distinctive profile when seen from Elk Lake, while Dial’s history is more tangled: the name was first applied differently in early mountain surveys before becoming attached to the peak on Nippletop’s ridgeline. Together, the names reflect how Adirondack geography was gradually mapped, renamed, and understood by surveyors, guides, and hikers.
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Route Overview
AMR to Nippletop and Dial loop
This standard loop starts at AMR, follows red markers through Gill Brook to Elk Pass, uses blue markers for the steep Nippletop climb, then follows yellow markers from the Nippletop turn across Dial, Bear Den, Noonmark’s Shoulder, and the return to Lake Road.
Selected Route Access
Start at AMR / St. Huberts and use Lake Road to reach Gill Brook. This is the standard loop for combining Nippletop and Dial.
Selected Route Caution
This AMR loop is long and committing. The Elk Pass climb to Nippletop is steep, the ridge over Dial and Bear Den keeps the day moving for miles after the high point, and AMR access rules must be handled before the hike.
Selected Route Guidance
Full guide collapsed for quick scanning. 15 sections available.