Kaaterskill High Peak

Catskill State Park, NY Hudson Valley + Catskills

Trip stats

Distance
8.3 mi
Net Gain
1,800 ft
Time
2-4 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 2
Route
Out/Back
Peaks
1

Ratings out of 10

Effort
3.7/10
Personality
5/10
Beauty
4/10
Solitude
4.3/10
What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

  1. Kaaterskill High Peak
    3,655′ elevation · 1,695′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

42.133880, -74.082120

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Trip report

Jul 19, 2021 — I followed the Long Path for the majority of the hike to Kaatskill High Peak, the first couple of miles of which was along the remains of an old roadbed. A couple of junctions are marked well so you don't get lost on the web of old roads. A bit of gradual ascending led to a saddle on the east side of the peak. Then the trail wrapped around to the peak's north side, where a flat and dull section had accumulated lots of water and mud on my visit. I kept left at a junction and headed south along a red-blazed trail. The blazes were short-lived, representing a skimobile trail loop that wraps around Kaaterskill High Peak. Shortly after this junction came another, where I kept along a social trail. It's easy enough to follow with the help of some cairns, but otherwise it isn't marked. The trail climbs steeply on some light Class 2 terrain, using the typical fun root/rock combination that comprises most trails in the area. There was a single viewpoint on the way up before reaching the tree-covered summit of Kaaterskill High Peak. Apparently you can continue south along the social trail for a short time to Hurricane Ledge, another view point. I didn't know about this at the time, so I missed out.

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Photos

24 photos

  1. Trailhead.
  2. The first mile or two of the Long Path is along an old roadbed.
  3. Potentially confusing junction, marked well with signs.
  4. The road turns into a trail.
  5. On my visit, everything was flooded pretty severely.
  6. Ascending to the saddle on Kaaterskill High Peak's east side.
  7. The trail leads along the north side of the peak, mostly flat for a significant time.
  8. Yeah, it was a wet mess on my visit.
  9. Junction where I left the Long Trail and started south. The trail is marked first by red blazes for a skimobile trail, but the Kaaterskill High Peak social trail leaves the blazed route.
  10. Ascending to Kaaterskill High Peak.
  11. Some Class 2.
  12. Looking back at the social trail. It's overall easy to follow, but it ascends steeply and has lots of roots and some short Class 2 sections.
  13. View back at the steepness.
  14. An overlook near the summit.
  15. After the steep stuff, a web of trails leads around the summit area, but one is major enough to be pretty obvious. Just ensure you're still ascending to the south and you'll be fine.
  16. Last bit to the summit.
  17. Kaaterskill High Peak summit.

Photo 1 of 1

Hire me or show some love!

Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

GPX track

Kaaterskill High Peak GPX route and driving track

The complete GPX track is available to download, so you can load the route straight into your navigation app or device. The trip report, route info, photos and planning details stay free.