The Adirondack High Peaks: Great Range
The Great Range of the Adirondack High Peaks is one of the most exceptional mountain ranges in the Northeast. Though not to be mentioned in the same breath as the Presidential Range or Katahdin (where I admittedly have never been), it holds its own against Franconia Ridge, and anything else in the region. The terrain is especially fun to hike across. Great traction for boots and fingers can be found on the rough-surfaced Anorthosite bedrock throughout the High Peaks. The topography of the Great Range in particular lends itself to rock scrambling. It's a ridge of closely-spaced peaks, with steep drops of several hundred feet between them. The trail follows the ridge line, with many challenging spots as it reaches these ups and downs. The steep west-facing ridge of the peak called Gothics is just exposed bedrock for quarter mile. The trail goes straight up it, rising 600 feet from the saddle in that distance. Saddleback Mountain's southwest ridge is even steeper, but shorter.