This is a chance to find and identify
the beautiful Spring ephemeral wildflowers which are so named because they appear in early spring when they flower and fruit and then die back, all in a short period before the trees have had a chance to leaf out. Most hikers never see these flowers because they wait for late spring or summer to get into the woods. We will look for Trillium, Spring beauties, Trout Lily, Hepatica, Violets, Squirrel Corn, Dutchman’s Breeches, Jack-In-The-Pulpit and many others. We may also find some early mushrooms and ramps. Kelly Hollow is one of the most beautiful short trails in the Catskills with rocky streams and waterfalls. It has a combination of coniferous and deciduous forests with a lovely abandoned beaver pond near a lean-to at the top.
This 6.5 mile moderate out and back hike to Panther (3,720 ft) is rewarded with outstanding views at the several ledges that we encounter. The ascent is gradual with a few short steep areas. After the first 0.75 miles, we’ll reach Giant Ledge, one of several ledges. In the next 0.9 miles, we’ll arrive at the summit of Panther where the view of the valleys below is limited. We’ll continue a little more to a viewpoint after the summit of Panther to break for lunch.
Diamond Notch Trail (blue). After we cross the bridge, we’ll take the Devil’s Path (red) which ascends quickly and steeply but not too strenuous. I find this section of the Devil’s Path easier than the other sections. 
After about 1.4 miles, we’ll reach an interesting rock that could be used as a shelter. Another 0.9 miles brings us to a very nice viewpoint, Buck Ridge lookouts, to the north, east and south. The next 0.1 miles, we’ll be at the summit of Westkill. We’ll retrace our steps and make a stop at Diamond Notch Falls before our return to our cars.
We’ll climb over the ridge before descending again to the lean-to.
deciduous forests with a lovely abandoned beaver pond near a lean-to at the top. Bring lunch and/or snacks to have at the lean-to (there is a privy nearby.)
