Trip Report · 2022-02-14 (posted)

Region: Catskill · Confidence: Medium · Reporter: Experienced · Created: 2026-06-27 17:31

Summary

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.

Peaks

Tags

coldpostholingrime-icesnowspikes-requiredsteep

Source

Raw body (868 chars) 
Two buddies and I came up from Jersey. Snowed the whole ride up and pretty much the whole hike. We almost hit a coyote on the Thruway down around the Harriman State Park area. Ran right in front of our car must have hopped the divider.
Strenuous hike out and back from Barnum Road. Saw a total of 5 people this day. Hillsounds the whole day. Snowshoes got the ride on our back. Was a very beautiful day with all the trees outlined with snow and it continued to snow.
Trail was hard-packed with some powder on top from the snow. Trail was a mess. Pockmarked with post holes, divots, boot marks, it was a real ankle twister and annoying. I hadn't seen a trail that bad in a while.
Worst stretch was from Barnum Road to Camels Hump. Terrible.
Best stretch I think was from Thomas Cole to Black Dome. The smoothest.
Still a great day. Arduous and beautiful. 6.5 hours. 10°