This hike, which visits three 3900’ peaks, begins at the trailhead at the end of Big Hollow Road. We will ascend along the red trail to Lockwood Gap and then take the yellow trail to the summit of Blackhead Mountain. After returning to Lockwood Gap, we will ascend the red trail to Black Dome and then hike over to Thomas Cole Mountain. Retracing our steps, we will return to the trailhead for overall totals of 7.8 miles, 2600’ of elevation gain, and 4-5 hours. This hike is rated as difficult, and we will be moving at a pace of 1.5 – 2 miles per hour.

Participants need to bring lunch/ food, snacks, and sufficient water-hydration drink (at least 2L). Please pre-hydrate and calorie load the day before the hike and please bring electrolytes. Bring proper gear, including extra layers, hats and gloves, a puffer, outer shell, rain pants, any cold-weather gear you usually carry. Required: Hillsound Trail Crampons or Kahtoola Microspikes, and snowshoes (probably not needed, but have them for the bushwhack, just in case). Also required: a headlamp in good working order/extra batteries - two headlamps is better. A battery pack to recharge your phone, gps, headlamp is highly recommended. Also bring tick repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses Please verify that your gear is in good working order before you leave home. Gaiters can be very helpful in snow and wet conditions. Poles can be helpful for going up/down steep slopes and are practically a must with snowshoes.

This hike is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required by April 2.  To register, contact Anne Rubin by email at annaswartz@netscape.net Dogs are permitted on this hike with the permission of the hike leader.

Directions: From NYS Thruway Exit 21 (Catskill) follow signs for Route 23 West (to Windham). Once on Route 23, go 20.5 miles (see signs for Big Hollow hiking and Maplecrest) and turn left onto Greene Co. Hwy 65. Go .8 of a mile on 65 and turn left onto Co. Hwy. 65A, which becomes Co. Hwy 40. Continue on 40 until the stop sign in 1.85 miles (with hiker wayfinding signs). Turn left onto Big Hollow Road and continue to DEC Trailhead at end (approx. 4.25 miles).

GPS Coordinates 42.28908, -74.11548

5646 Big Hollow Road, Maplecrest, NY 12454