Plattekill Mountain in the Catskills Indian Head Wilderness
Plattekill Mountain is a 3100’ foot peak just about 1.5-miles southeast of Indian Head Mountain. It is also in close proximity with Echo Lake perched NNE of the lake about 0.75-miles as the crow flys. One can spy the lake from a viewpoint with about a 200-300’ descent south of the summit. Plattekill is one of the Catskill 67 and with the hike from Platte Clove Preserve makes for an outstanding day hike. As seemingly…
Winnisook Mountain and West Winni
Winnisook Mountain is a 3270’ peak that sits perched at the headwall of the Big Indian Valley. It has east and west summits with the east summit being the high point. However, not all high points are the main attraction and that’s the case with Winni. The high point straddles the Big Indian Wilderness and Winnisook Lake land boundary, so it’s on private land, just barely. The Big Indian Valley is walled by the Big…
The Catskill’s Sleeping Lion via Condon Hollow
The Sleeping Lion is a 3391’ (3408’ referenced by some) peak northeast of Halcott Mountain in the Central Catskills. It is also known as Northeast Halcott, but that’s boring, so we’ll use Sleeping Lion. The peak is one of the Catskill 67 and it towers over Deep Notch. On its southeastern face are some “minor” but impressive cliffs that ice climbers use for mostly practice. The peak can be hiked from Deep Notch from RT…
Guide to the Kaaterskill Falls Area
Kaaterskill Falls area is more than a waterfall. Yes, just about everyone who comes to this place comes to see the falls, and it would be right to do so. But without understanding the history and meaning that this area had to generations of Americans would be folly. Also, just rushing to the falls and back to your car would deprive you of one of the best natural spectacles that are not the falls! In…
Roundtop Mountain in the Catskills
Roundtop Mountain with it’s taller neighbor Kaaterskill High Peak stand alone at the head of the Schoharie Valley. These two peaks can be seen from many points given their relative isolation from many of the main Catskill chains. Hiking both peaks make for a long day hike. Roundtop is one of the Catskill 67 reaching 3440’ elevation. It is one of three Roundtop Mountains in the 67. Hiking Roundtop from Gillespie Road makes for a…