Hike to Codfish Point – February 16th, 2022 – Leave trailhead 10 AM (date and time may change so check back)
Named after a crew of blue-stone quarry workers were stranded for a time with nothing to eat but salted cod. There is a magnificent view of the Hudson River and beyond.
Catskills All Trails (CATs) Series
This hike covers portions of the Devil’s Path and the entire Roaring Kill, Pecoy Notch and Jimmy Dolan Notch trails.
This 5.2 mile trail loop hike over Twin Mountain (3,640′) passes through Dibble’s Quarry. Continue reading
Catskills All Trails (CATs) Series
This hike covers portions of the Escarpment, Mary’s Glen and Rock Shelter trails and the entire Colgate Lake Trail.
This 10.7 mile trail hike at the eastern edge of the Catskill Park visits a lightly used section of the Escarpment Trail. Continue reading
Catskills All Trails (CATs) Series
This hike completes the Overlook Trail, the Echo Lake Trail, and the Overlook Spur Trail.
This 8.9 mile trail hike at the eastern edge of the Catskill Park includes a mix of interesting features to go along with the great views into the Hudson Valley along the way. Continue reading
Catskills All Trails (CATs) Series: This hike covers the entire Lost Clove, Cathedral Glen and Belleayre Ridge trails and a small portion of the Pine Hill-West Branch trail.
Join co-leaders Laura Sanford and Tom Martone for a 5.6 mile thru hike of the Belleayre Ridge. Continue reading
Catskills All Trails (CATs) Series: This hike covers 1.1m of the Black Dome Range Trail, 6.3m of the Escarpment Trail and the entire Dutcher Notch Trail.
Join Tom Martone for a 9.3 mile thru hike on a beautiful section of the Escarpment Trail which will include a Catskill 3500 Peak, Blackhead Mountain (3,940’) and a Catskill 100 Highest Peak, Acra Point (3,100’). This hike has a multitude of views along the way and includes a strenuous and dramatic scramble to the summit of Blackhead Mountain. After catching our breath on top of Blackhead, we will continue a short distance along the Escarpment to an area called Camp Steel which has nice open rocks to sit on and enjoy lunch, views to the Hudson Valley and hopefully, some cool breezes. After lunch we continue on the Escarpment Trail through interesting forests passing many blueberry bushes and a height of land called Arizona. Later as the Escarpment Trail descends into Dutcher Notch we will have some steep sections and scrambles to negotiate. Finally we’ll follow the entire length of the Dutcher Notch Trail to the cars waiting at the finishing trailhead.
Catskills All Trails (CATs) Series: This hike covers 7.05m of the western end of the Devil’s Path and 0.7m of the Diamond Notch Trail.
Join Tom Martone for a 7.75 mile thru hike on the western end of the Devil’s Path which will include a Catskill 3500 Peak, West Kill Mountain (3,880’) and a Catskill 100 Highest Peak, St. Anne’s Peak (3,420’). This hike will include a long climb with some steep sections up to the spectacular views at Buck Ridge Lookout at the top of West Kill Mountain. After that, we’ll continue on the Devil’s Path on a rambling up and down hike through varied terrain and forests in a very quiet and secluded area. We’ll pass over St. Anne’s Peak and hike in the shadows of North Dome as we turn north and follow the trail though a hemlock forest along the Mink Hollow Brook to our finishing trailhead.
The hike is moderately difficult due to its length (7.75 miles) and elevation changes. We’ll be on marked trails throughout the day, but the terrain can be rocky and there will be significant elevation change throughout the day including a few steep pitches on the way up to the summit of West Kill Mountain. Hiking poles can be helpful. We will hike at a moderate pace, staying together as a group and making sure all hikers are comfortable. Continue reading
Catskills All Trails (CATs) Series: This hike completes the Elm Ridge Trail (0.85m) and covers 4.95m of the Escarpment Trail and 1.1m of the Black Dome Range Trail.
Join Tom Martone on a thru hike of a section of the Escarpment Trail which includes a Catskill 3500 Peak, Windham High Peak (3,524’) and a Catskill 100 Highest Peak, Burnt Knob (3,180’). We’ll soak in the great views to the north and east from the top of Windham High Peak. where on a clear day you can see Albany. We continue on the Escarpment Trail on an up and down journey through interesting terrain and forests passing Burnt Knob on our way to the junction with the Black Dome Trail. We will stop and enjoy multiple view points along the way and there should be lots of opportunities for great photos.
The hike is moderately difficult due to its length (6.9 miles) and elevation changes. We’ll be on marked trails throughout the day, but the terrain can be rocky and there will be elevation change throughout the day with a few steep pitches. Hiking poles can be helpful. We will hike at a moderate pace, staying together as a group and making sure all hikers are comfortable.
The weather in May in the Catskills can vary widely. Dress for comfort in moisture wicking clothing and layers. A wind-resistant, water-resistant shell with hood can come in handy even if the weather is generally warm. Continue reading
Catskills All Trails (CATs) Series
This hike completes the Overlook Trail (4.65m), the Echo Lake Trail (0.7m), and the Overlook Spur Trail (2.3m).
This 8.9 mile trail hike at the eastern edge of the Catskill Park includes a mix of interesting features to go along with the great views into the Hudson Valley along the way. Starting in Platte Clove, we pass through a portion of an interpretive trail in the Platte Clove Preserve, and soon visit the site of an abandoned quarry and pass by the Devil’s Kitchen lean-to. Later we will take some time to explore the views at Codfish Point and relax for a bit on some interesting quarry furniture. Continuing on the Overlook Trail, we will pass (but not summit) a Catskill 100 Highest Peak, Plattekill Mountain (3,100’) and reach the junction with the Echo Lake Trail where we will take a side trip to Echo Lake where we will stop and have some lunch, perhaps at the lean-to if it’s available. After lunch we’ll retrace our steps back to the Overlook Trail and continue on to another Catskill 100 Highest Peak, Overlook Mountain (3,140’) where we will take the lesser-used trail around the edge of Overlook Mountain and pass numerous nice viewing areas on open rock ledges. After that we’ll visit the fire tower on Overlook to get some 360 degree views of the Hudson Valley, the Ashokan Reservoir and several of the Devil’s Path peaks. Then we will walk past the ruins of the Overlook Mountain House to join the Overlook Spur Trail for a descent down to the Parking Area at Meads Mountain Road to complete our hike. Continue reading