Kaaterskill High Peak in Catskill State Park, NY

Hike Kaaterskill High Peak Catskill State Park, NY

Class 2 8.3 miles 1800 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Jul 19, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Kaaterskill High Peak GPX Track

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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.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Kaaterskill High Peak
3655 ft
1695 rise

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Trailhead.
Trailhead.
The first mile or two of the Long Path is along an old roadbed.
The first mile or two of the Long Path is along an old roadbed.
Image 2 from gallery
Potentially confusing junction, marked well with signs.
Potentially confusing junction, marked well with signs.
The road turns into a trail.
The road turns into a trail.
On my visit, everything was flooded pretty severely.
On my visit, everything was flooded pretty severely.
Ascending to the saddle on Kaaterskill High Peak's east side.
Ascending to the saddle on Kaaterskill High Peak's east side.
Image 7 from gallery
Image 8 from gallery
The trail leads along the north side of the peak, mostly flat for a significant time.
The trail leads along the north side of the peak, mostly flat for a significant time.
Yeah, it was a wet mess on my visit.
Yeah, it was a wet mess on my visit.
Image 11 from gallery
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.
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.
Ascending to Kaaterskill High Peak.
Ascending to Kaaterskill High Peak.
Image 14 from gallery
Some Class 2.
Some Class 2.
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.
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.
Image 17 from gallery
Image 18 from gallery
View back at the steepness.
View back at the steepness.
An overlook near the summit.
An overlook near the summit.
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.
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.
Last bit to the summit.
Last bit to the summit.
Kaaterskill High Peak summit.
Kaaterskill High Peak summit.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!