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Black Dome
Catskill
· 3994 ft
· cat-black-dome
Modeled trail surface — forward-modeled physics, updated hourly
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Trail detail
Trail reports
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Active tags: steep
Evergreen winter hiking guide for Blackhead Mountain describing the safest route: a straightforward out-and-back ascent via rebuilt trail section. Notes that winter parking may require an extra ½ mile walk when road is unplowed; emphasizes need for proper winter gear and skills.
Activity (last 90 days)
Nearby wildlife (2)
Recent crowd-sourced iNaturalist sightings near this peak. ⚠ = hazard species.
⚠
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
2026-06-11
⚠
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
2026-05-30
Recent reports (23)
Evergreen winter hiking guide for Blackhead Mountain describing the safest route: a straightforward out-and-back ascent via rebuilt trail section. Notes that winter parking may require an extra ½ mile walk when road is unplowed; emphasizes need for proper winter gear and skills.
steep
A comprehensive peakbagging guide for the Catskill 3500 Club, describing routes, difficulty levels, and strategic pairing of 33 publicly-accessible Catskill peaks above 3,500 ft. The guide covers single peaks, pairs, triplets, and multi-peak challenge routes with no specific trail conditions reported.
adk-balsam-lake, adk-hunter, cat-balsam, cat-balsam-cap, cat-bearpen, cat-big-indian, cat-black-dome, cat-blackhead, cat-cornell, cat-eagle, cat-fir, cat-friday, cat-halcott, cat-indian-head, cat-kaaterskill-high, cat-lone, cat-north-dome, cat-panther, cat-peekamoose, cat-plateau, cat-rocky, cat-rusk, cat-sherrill, cat-slide, cat-sugarloaf, cat-table, cat-thomas-cole, cat-twin, cat-vly, cat-west-kill, cat-windham-high, cat-wittenberg
The Escarpment Trail is a 23.9-mile ridgeline thru-hike in the Catskills featuring exposed ledges, wooded ridge walks, and frequent viewpoints. Water is scarce along the route; hikers should filter or carry extra water despite limited sources near Batavia Kill and the trailhead areas. The trail is moderately difficult with much less elevation gain than the Devil's Path, suitable for 2–3 day backpacking trips with multiple bail-out options.
cat-black-dome, cat-blackhead, cat-kaaterskill-high, cat-north-dome, cat-thomas-cole, cat-windham-high
exposedscramblewater-scarce
Multi-year collection of user-submitted Catskill trail conditions reports covering seasonal variations in snow, ice, mud, and water conditions across numerous peaks and routes. Reports span from 2021–2025 and include details on required gear (spikes, snowshoes, crampons) and trail hazards for planning purposes.
adk-balsam-lake, adk-hunter, cat-balsam, cat-balsam-cap, cat-black-dome, cat-blackhead, cat-cornell, cat-eagle, cat-friday, cat-giant-ledge, cat-halcott, cat-indian-head, cat-kaaterskill-high, cat-north-dome, cat-panther, cat-peekamoose, cat-plateau, cat-rusk, cat-sherrill, cat-slide, cat-sugarloaf, cat-thomas-cole, cat-twin, cat-west-kill, cat-windham-high, cat-wittenberg
blowdownbreakable-crustbug-heavycoldcornice-riskcrampons-requireddeep-snowdryerodedfrozen-groundhard-icehigh-waterhigh-windiceloose-rocklow-visibilitymudmud-deeppostholingrainrime-icerotten-snowscramblescreeslabslide-routeslushsnowsnowshoes-requiredspikes-requiredstream-crossing-difficultthunderstorm-riskverglaswater-availablewater-drywater-scarcewater-stagnantwetwet-rock
This is a curated collection of user-submitted trail condition reports for Catskill peaks spanning from late 2021 through April 2025, covering seasonal conditions including snow, ice, mud, trail quality, water availability, and wildlife/bug activity across multiple routes and elevations.
adk-hunter, cat-balsam, cat-balsam-cap, cat-bearpen, cat-big-indian, cat-black-dome, cat-blackhead, cat-cornell, cat-eagle, cat-fir, cat-friday, cat-halcott, cat-indian-head, cat-kaaterskill-high, cat-lone, cat-north-dome, cat-panther, cat-peekamoose, cat-plateau, cat-rocky, cat-rusk, cat-sherrill, cat-slide, cat-sugarloaf, cat-thomas-cole, cat-twin, cat-vly, cat-west-kill, cat-windham-high, cat-wittenberg
blowdownbreakable-crustbug-heavycoldcrampons-requireddeep-snowdryerodedexposedfrozen-groundhard-icehigh-windicelow-visibilitymudmud-deepovergrownparking-fullpostholingrainrime-icerotten-snowslushsnowsnowshoes-requiredspikes-requiredsteepverglaswater-availablewater-drywater-scarcewetwet-rockwhiteout
Solo hike to Blackhead Mountain via Batavia Kill trail for sunrise, looping down through Lockwood Gap to Black Dome. Trail had scattered snow patches and icy sections on steeper pitches; microspikes worn throughout. Summit was in cloud at 0°F with wind.
coldhigh-windicelow-visibilitysnowspikes-required
A multi-week fall foliage progression report for the Catskills from mid-September through early November 2022, documenting the timing and location of peak fall colors throughout the season, with conditions ranging from early yellowing to past-peak foliage by late October.
cat-black-dome, cat-blackhead, cat-giant-ledge, cat-indian-head, cat-kaaterskill-high, cat-thomas-cole
dry
A classic out-and-back route via Platte Clove crossing Kaaterskill High Peak summit and descending to Hurricane Ledge. The trail typically features significant mud, inconsistent blazing, and complex route-finding with multiple intersecting old roads and trails.
bushwhackmud
An evergreen trail guide to the classic lollipop route up Stissing Mountain to a 90-foot fire tower offering 360° views of the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and Taconics. The hike takes 60–75 minutes through mixed forest with abundant wildlife.
cat-balsam-cap, cat-black-dome, cat-blackhead, cat-cornell, cat-friday, cat-kaaterskill-high, cat-peekamoose, cat-table, cat-thomas-cole, cat-wittenberg
exposedsteep
Hikers completed a round trip of West Kill via Spruceton on a Sunday in early winter with 12-18 inches of snow, using snowshoes and breaking trail efficiently. The report also mentions a companion's solo trek on Saturday to Black Dome where trail conditions were more challenging with greater snow depths.
rime-icesnowsnowshoes-required
A scenic moderate loop hike through Black Dome Valley with two excellent lookouts offering views of the Blackhead Range. The trail is rugged in spots, particularly one steep section near Burnt Knob Lookout where microspikes have been useful in icy conditions, and includes beautiful hemlock forests and stream crossings.
bushwhackrockyspikes-requiredsteepwater-available
Three hikers completed a strenuous out-and-back hike on the Blackhead Range from Barnum Road in snowy conditions. The trail was hard-packed with powder on top and heavily pockmarked with post holes and boot divots, particularly between Barnum Road and Camels Hump, though conditions improved between Thomas Cole and Black Dome. They used microspikes throughout and carried snowshoes, completing the hike in 6.5 hours in 10°F weather.
coldpostholingrime-icesnowspikes-requiredsteep
Two hikers started from Barnum Road at 5:45 PM on a Friday evening to climb Thomas Cole and Black Dome for a sunset hike. They reached Black Dome in time for sunset but chose to skip Blackhead and returned to their car at 11:05 PM after spending an hour on the ledge.
dry
A detailed evergreen trail guide describing the Slide-Cornell-Wittenberg traverse, a challenging multi-peak route with technical scrambles, rocky ledges, and narrow exposed sections requiring mountaineering skills; the author reports dry conditions during one summer hike and notes that seasonal variations (especially winter snow and ice) significantly alter difficulty and hazard profiles.
cat-balsam-cap, cat-black-dome, cat-cornell, cat-friday, cat-giant-ledge, cat-panther, cat-slide, cat-wittenberg
dryexposedloose-rockrockyscramblesteepwater-availablewater-dry
A detailed trail guide describing the steep but moderately-graded Tremper Mountain fire tower route, featuring consistent 30-35° grades, fire tower views of surrounding Catskill peaks, water availability at a spring, and potential rattlesnake exposure in warmer months. The route is approximately 3 miles with 1,950 feet of elevation gain.
adk-hunter, cat-balsam, cat-balsam-cap, cat-black-dome, cat-blackhead, cat-friday, cat-giant-ledge, cat-halcott, cat-indian-head, cat-north-dome, cat-panther, cat-plateau, cat-sherrill, cat-slide, cat-twin, cat-west-kill, cat-wittenberg
bear-activityrockysteepwater-available
This evergreen trail guide describes the Blackhead & Black Dome loop via Batavia Kill, featuring initial easy terrain along a creek followed by steep, rocky scrambling sections with excellent ledge views. The route combines beautiful forest walking with rugged rock scrambles and is recommended as one of the best Catskill hikes, though it is difficult with exposure and tricky rock sections.
adk-hunter, cat-black-dome, cat-blackhead, cat-indian-head, cat-kaaterskill-high, cat-west-kill, cat-windham-high
exposedloose-rockrockyscrambleslabsteep
A detailed evergreen trail guide for the Balsam Mountain loop from Rider Hollow, including route description, landmarks, and typical conditions. Includes comments from user visits noting fresh snow with deep postholes requiring snowshoes, and stinging nettles in summer.
cat-balsam, cat-black-dome, cat-blackhead, cat-north-dome, cat-plateau, cat-rusk, cat-slide, cat-sugarloaf, cat-twin
deep-snowovergrownpostholingsnowshoes-requiredstream-crossing-difficultwater-available
This is an evergreen trail guide for the Windham High Peak hike via Peck Road, describing it as a short, easy, and beautiful out-and-back route suitable for beginners. The guide notes that the yellow trail has been rerouted away from a wet woods road that ices up in winter due to a spring near the trailhead. Multiple scenic lookouts offer views of the Blackhead range and distant mountains including the southern Adirondacks and Green Mountains of Vermont.
drywet
Trail guide describing the route to Windham High Peak via Burnt Knob and Acra Point, including ridge-walking with multiple scenic lookouts. Mentions muddy conditions in November on the Burnt Knob section and winter parking complications when the unplowed dirt road is snow-covered.
exposedmudrockysteep
A moderate, multi-peak route crossing four summits with scenic vistas; features one tricky rock ledge around 2800' and a rock chute below 3750' that can be iced and hazardous in winter. Excellent views from a ledge near Black Dome's summit overlooking the Catskills region.</summary>
<parameter name="confidence">Medium
cat-black-dome, cat-blackhead, cat-indian-head, cat-kaaterskill-high, cat-sugarloaf, cat-thomas-cole, cat-twin, cat-windham-high
exposedicerockyscramble
A detailed evergreen trail guide for a loop combining Indian Head and Twin mountains via the Devil's Path and Jimmy Dolan Notch. The route features classic Catskill forest, rock scrambles, scenic views, and a treed-in summit on Indian Head with excellent vistas from Twin's lower ledge.
adk-hunter, cat-balsam, cat-black-dome, cat-eagle, cat-indian-head, cat-kaaterskill-high, cat-panther, cat-plateau, cat-sugarloaf, cat-twin
exposedrockyscramblesteep
Evergreen trail guide describing the Kaaterskill High Peak route from Platte Clove with a long muddy approach, multiple junctions, and historic plane wrecks en route. Trail conditions include deep mud in lower sections, lively streams, and variable ice conditions in late November.
adk-balsam-lake, adk-hunter, cat-black-dome, cat-indian-head, cat-kaaterskill-high, cat-sugarloaf, cat-twin
bogcrampons-requiredexposedicemudmud-deepovergrownspikes-requiredsteepwater-availablewet
A route guide describing the Blackhead and Black Dome loop via Lockwood Gap, with detailed descriptions of hiking conditions, notable winter hazards including blue ice blocks and slippery sections requiring microspikes, and scenic viewpoints along the route.
adk-hunter, cat-black-dome, cat-blackhead, cat-indian-head, cat-kaaterskill-high, cat-north-dome, cat-plateau, cat-sherrill, cat-sugarloaf, cat-thomas-cole, cat-twin, cat-windham-high
exposedicerockyscramblesnowshoes-requiredspikes-requiredsteepwater-available
DEC ranger reports
No DEC ranger source feeding the pipeline yet.
(Sources prefixed
dec- show up here automatically.)Weather updated 4h ago
Now
63°F
feels 62°F
Conditions
Mostly clear
Wind
5 mph
gusts 10
Humidity
70%
Freezing level
above column
whole air column above 0°C
Last 7 days
Precip 24h
0.23"
Precip 7d
1.09"
Temp range 7d
66 / 44°F
| Day | High | Low | Precip | Snow | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-20 | 59° | 45° | 0.00" | — | 26 |
| 2026-06-21 | 61° | 44° | 0.01" | — | 15 |
| 2026-06-22 | 56° | 46° | 0.43" | — | 10 |
| 2026-06-23 | 59° | 51° | 0.41" | — | 10 |
| 2026-06-24 | 61° | 48° | 0.00" | — | 13 |
| 2026-06-25 | 62° | 48° | 0.00" | — | 12 |
| 2026-06-26 | 66° | 53° | 0.23" | — | 13 |
Open-Meteo @ Black Dome
Aliases
Mount Black Dome, Mt Black Dome, Black Dome Mountain, Black Dome Peak