I rode up it at the end of July starting from the main gates since I got a late start and wanted to be back down well before dark. While driving up to the gates I noticed how rough the road going up to it was which wouldn't make for a fun fast return. Even the road on the mountain isn't the best in spots with small compressions in the pavement you have to watch for.

Its 8 miles from the hwy junction and 5 miles from the gate. I took 46 minutes which was my first time and didn't want to kill my self early. I think I could have done sub 45 now knowing how hard the climb actually is.

You might want to double check if the road is open as many areas have been closed down there from Irene.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html

There are too numerous to count new landslides on the mountains in these areas including slides on Mt. Colden, Trap Dike, Wright Peak, Skylight, Basin, Armstrong, Upper and Lower Wolf Jaws, Dix, Macomb, Giant and Cascade Mountains and many existing slides widened and/or lengthened. The threat of additional slides exists on these and other mountains which creates a very dangerous situation. Other damage in these areas includes trails buried by landslides; heavily eroded trails (1-3 feet deep in some places); numerous washed away or damaged footbridges, bog bridging and ladders; blowdown and flooding.

I've also read that some of the roads have been destroyed so also double check that.

If you have any questions, let me know and I'll do my best to answer them.