A challenging out-and-back day hike to Panther Peak via the steep Santanoni Ridge herd path, featuring remote terrain with muddy sections, rock scrambles, and significant elevation gain. Conditions were excellent for summer hiking with good views from the summit and surrounding ridge.
This is an evergreen trail guide describing the popular Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain hiking route in the Catskills, featuring open ledge views and an optional difficult bushwhack along the base of the cliffs. The main route is moderate and kid-friendly, while the bushwhack section involves steep terrain, deep duff, blowdown, and boulders. Conditions vary seasonally, with winter snow recommended for easier bushwhacking.
The Ashokan Quarry Trail is a short, scenic route featuring quarry views, old railway ruins, and varied terrain including rock bands and gravel sections. The trail is family-friendly with no steep or tricky sections, though care should be taken near cliff faces.
A detailed guide to the steep ridge-line route up Friday Mountain to Balsam Cap in the Catskills. The first mile is relentless with significant elevation gain, herd-path navigation challenges especially in fall leaf cover, and rocky talus fields; the rim trail section above ~2700' is easier and more clearly defined.
A route guide for Rusk and East Rusk in the Catskills featuring a herd path from Spruceton Road with tricky terrain around 3500 feet ledges; herd paths are reportedly well-established in the area.
Route description of West Kill via St. Anne's Peak, including terrain, trail conditions, and seasonal observations. The hike features steep sections, rocky terrain on the east side of St. Anne's, and boreal woods on West Kill's west side; a road walk back to trailhead can be used as alternate descent.
A comprehensive route guide describing a hike from Platte Clove through Plattekill Mountain to Echo Lake, featuring well-marked trail for most of the journey but with a very difficult bushwhack to a scenic lookout on Plattekill's south side. The route includes exposure hazards, thick mountain laurel, rocky terrain, potential rattlesnake encounters, and a steep descent to Echo Lake backcountry campground.
Route guide for the Friday Mountain bushwhack via woods roads to Balsam Cap and the B-25 bomber crash site, emphasizing difficult terrain with talus fields, steep sections, dense brush, and challenging route-finding throughout.
This is an evergreen trail guide describing the Balsam Lake and Graham Mountain loop from Dry Brook Ridge Trailhead. Graham Mountain is currently closed to public hiking on private land; Balsam Lake offers a short, easy, scenic hike with a fire tower providing 360° views.
Detailed route guide for the Sugarloaf clockwise loop via Dibbles Quarry and Mink Hollow. The west side descent features loose, shattered boulders and is exceptionally wet with slippery rocks; the author notes that in winter this side becomes icy ("Suicide Mountain") and requires crampons. Spring conditions include boggy ridges with mud patches on the east side approach.
Detailed route guide for the Balsam-Haynes-Eagle loop featuring two stream crossings (tricky after rain), a steep rugged section with stone steps between 2250–2500 feet, and mostly easy ridge walking through three peak summits. The route offers one scenic overlook with views of Big Indian.
A route guide describing the bushwhack trails up Vly and Bearpen in the Catskills, noting that both are easy, unscenic hikes suitable for families. The author rates them as the "boring" Catskill 3500 peaks with minimal natural features, though Vly features modest ledges and a clear herd path.
First-person account of a challenging loop hike in April over North Dome and Sherrill involving significant bushwhacking through snow, steep ledges with hard ice, and difficult stream crossings. The route included multiple scrambling sections with ledge systems and required navigation through thick brush between peaks.
Route guide for the Biscuit Brook approach to Big Indian and Fir, a long lollipop hike combining trailed and bushwhack sections with stream crossings and a winter bushwhack traverse via the Catskill Divide. The author reflects on how experience level affects perceived difficulty, noting shin-deep snow on their first attempt.
First-time bushwhack up Rusk Mountain in December with steep terrain, deciduous woods below summit, and snow-laden evergreens near the peak. The descent route via East Rusk offers a gentler alternative on a less steep ridge line.