Catskills 3500: Balsam and Eagle Mountains

May 30, 2014 

Balsam Mountain: 3609 Feet 

Eagle Mountain: 3609 Feet 

Distance 9.2 Miles Round Trip 

Elevation Gain: 2200+ 

Clockwise (Red, Yellow, Blue) to Balsam 

Out and Back (Blue) to Eagle, then Red back to Rider Hollow Road parking area

Straight up, just like every trail I've hiked in the Catskills.

Summit of Balsam Mountain

Summit of Eagle Mountain

Comments: There is no view from the summit of Eagle Mountain, but there is a side trail that will lead you to a spot with Cairns.

Hiking the Red Trail counter clockwise will put the stream crossings at the end of your hike.

Catskill 3500: Panther Mountain

May 29, 2014 

Panther Mountain: 3725 Feet 

Distance 10.6 Miles Round Trip 

Elevation Gain: 2000+ 

Access via Phoenicia East Branch Trail (Yellow) at Woodland Valley Campground to Giant Ledge-Panther Fox Hollow Trail (Blue) 






The Phoenicia East Branch Trail was a bit more challenging than anticipated, with elevation gain and rocky terrain.

Snack break with a view at Giant Ledge, an excellent place to hear your echo!

Summit of Panther Mountain

Comments: 150% LESS BUGGY than hiking in this region at the end of June last year.

Catskill 3500: Peekamoose and Table Mountains

June 23, 2013

Peekamoose Mountain: 3843 feet

Table Mountain: 3847 feet

Distance: 9.2 Miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain: 2600 feet

Summit of Peekamoose Mountain

Summit of Table Mountain

Comments: Keep your eye out for the Cairns or you'll miss the summits! This is the first hike I've done where the summits do not have views.

Catskill 3500: Wittenberg and Cornell Mountains

June 22, 2013

Wittenberg Mountain: 3780 feet

Cornell Mountain: 3860 feet

Distance: 8.85 miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain: 2514 feet

View from the Summit of Wittenberg

View from the Summit of Cornell 

Comments: One of the most demanding hikes I've ever completed. The view from Wittenberg is my favorite thus far.

Catskill 3500: Slide Mountain

Date: June 21, 2013

Slide Mountain: 4180 feet

Distance: 5.5 miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain: 1749 feet  

View from the Summit

Comments: Bug Party at the summit!

Catskill 3500

The Catskill High Peaks are all of the mountains in New York's Catskill Mountains above 3,500 feet in elevation whose summits are separated either by one-half mile or a vertical drop of at least 250 feet between it and the next nearest separate summit. 

There are 35 peaks that meet these criteria with the highest peak being Slide Mountain topping out at 4,180 feet. The peaks can be broken into 3 general zones: northern, central and southern. 

This weekend was my first visit to the Catskills. I met some awesome people on the trail and at Woodland Valley Campground, drank some good beer in Phoenicia and New Patlz and hiked five high peaks. I learned quickly that hiking "The Cats" is no joke. The trails go straight up!

I'll be documenting my trips to the Catskills here as I move toward the goal of climbing all 35 high peaks.