The Escarpment Trail is one of the Catskills longest and most scenic paths. Following the Catskill escarpment above the Hudson Valley is exhilarating. Backpacking the entire 23.9 miles from Scutt Road to the trailhead at Rt 23 or the reverse, makes for an outstanding 3-day outing.
However if you only have 2 days there are other options. One option as we did on this trip is to enter the Escarpment Trail from Colgate Lake. The Colgate Lake Wild Forest sits just south of the Blackhead Range in the East Kill Valley. It is a very attractive hike which is surprisingly easy to Dutcher Notch which is nestled between Arizona Mountain and Stopple Point.
The footpath from the Colgate Lake trailhead to the notch is about 4 miles and there is much to see along the way. This is a wet trail for much of its length. As soon as you leave the trailhead you’ll be greeted with views of what’s to come. You’ll see Arizona and the Blackhead Mountains. Also Stopple Point and West Stopple. Behind you will be Onteora Mountain. You’ll get variations of these views at different points along the way in open beaver impacted and boggy spaces.
At times, the 4-mile trek will be on an old turnpike that connected the East Kill Valley with the Hudson Valley. This will become very apparent as you reach Dutcher Notch. You’ll find the trail twist’s and turns as it makes it’s way, so make sure you know where the next marker is.
The least perceptive hiker will see the impact of days of old in this once inhabited place.
The trail will cross great stands of conifers that hug the trail a feeling very reminiscent of Adirondack lowlands.
It is also packed with wildlife. Stay alert and you’re sure to get a “treat”.
As you reach the notch, the trail’s grade will increase and you’ll notice high rock walls on both sides of the pass. At the notch, you’ll be at the junction with the Escarpment Trail. Like many Catskill passes, it is only a few hundred feet wide.
On this trip from the notch took the Escarpment Trail 13 miles north to Rt 23. If you plan your trip as we did, you’ll be camping 3.6 miles away at the Batavia Kill Lean-to site which has designated campsites and lots of water. As you depart the notch you’ll notice you are now also on the Long Path.
Your hike to the camp will be over Arizona and Blackhead Mountains.
Arizona Mountain’s long ridge is generally level with short ups and downs. The upper sections of the mountain live up to it’s name being very dry. The summit has burned over in the past. It is also airy as the trees are short giving an open feeling. As you are about to leave Arizona you’ll get views of the summit of Blackhead.
Please keep in mind, some sections of the forest at the higher elevations between Blackhead Mountain and Windham High Peak are in first growth, be careful in this sensitive forest community.
On your climb up Blackhead, you’ll climb steeply up the south ridge. This is almost as steep as the north ridge of Blackhead. This section of trail should not be taken lightly, especially when backpacking.
As you make your way up Blackhead Mountain, please keep in mind, some sections of the forest at the higher elevations between Blackhead Mountain and Windham High Peak are in first growth, be careful in this sensitive forest community.
Once on the summit of Blackhead, you’ll be 1.2 miles from camp but first you need to make a .9 mile, 1,000′ descent to the junction with the Batavia Kill Trail. One of the steepest sections of trails in the Catskills. This descent can be dangerous in wet or winter conditions.
The steep descent off Blackhead is exciting.
There are many spots to tent camp or simply stay at the Batavia Kill lean-to which has been newly built to replace the old one (2017). Remember, lean-tos are on a first come basis and only hold about 7 – 8 people. During busy periods don’t count on space, be prepared for other options.
On our second day, we make the short walk back to the Escarpment Trail. Our plan this day is to hike to route 23. This means hiking over, Acra Point, Burnt Knob, and Windham High Peak. Even though the distance is only about 8.5 miles, hiking the three peaks will make it a vigorous day.
The path up Acra Point is steep and climbs through many rocky areas. With the leaves down you can see the mass of the Blackhead Range to the south. Once reaching the higher elevations the walking becomes more pleasant. Views through the tree of the Hudson Valley can be seen.
When climbing along Acra Point, one feels that they are always on the top until the next small rise. The best views on Acra Point are at the North end just before the drop off into the col leading to Burnt Knob. One view will peer out over the Hudson Valley and the second is an outstanding panorama of the Blackhead Range, Burnt Knob, and Windham High Peak. A great place to see where you can from and how far you have to go!
Once you start to make the ascent to Burnt Knob you will enter a stretch of trail that has no connector paths until the Elm Ridge Trail 4.2 miles away leading to Peck Road.
The .7 mile drop to the col between Acra Point and Burnt Knob is easy. When you reach the col beware this is your last chance to bail out on a trail.
Once you start to make the ascent to Burnt Knob you will enter a stretch of trail that has no connector paths until the Elm Ridge Trail 4.2 miles away leading to Peck Road. Your only way out is to return to the col, bushwhack off the ridge, or walk the Escarpment Trail out.
The climb up Burnt Knob is steep but with some switchbacks the trek is made easier. As you reach the upper ridge of the mountain the grades will easy and lookout will present on your left. This is a great place to break and take another look at the Blackhead Range and back to Acra Point.
The walk across Burnt Knob is generally level. You’ll never cross the summit as it is off to the east of the trail. If you wish you can make an easy bushwhack up and walk the level summit. With leaves down you’ll have some nice views.
As you drop from Burnt Knob the trail will start its long trek toward Windham High Peak. This is a nice section of trail as it is not used much and feels very isolated. Through varied terrain, the trail will wind its way along the Escarpment. You will reach a knob that the trail will skirt to the left and then swing back to the col before your ascent up Windham High Peak. You’ll get a view of this before you reach the knob.
As you start the ascent up Windham High Peak you will find an open viewing ledge off to your left. It will give you a view of the mass of High Peak and the trek you will make. On the day we were there-there was a chilled north wind battering this ledge.
Your ascent from here will seem longer than it is. Once you reach the 3500-foot sign it’s only a few more feet climbing as Windham High Peak is only 3524 feet elevation! On the summit of Windham High Peak, you have your pick of several viewing ledges. Enjoy each one!
Leaving High Peak, you’ll have a 3.2-mile hike to your final destination on Rt 23. The trail drops steeply at first then as typical Catskill trails go you’ll have level walks with sections of descent. The trail will pass by and through several stands of magnificent conifers. Walking through these almost has a “fairy tale” feel to it. You will reach the junction with the Elm Ridge Trail and see signs for a network of mountain biking trails that run along Elm Ridge down to Rt 23.
Your final walk to Rt 23 will be about 1.2 miles as the trail switchbacks down the ridge before leveling out down in the valley below. You will soon reach the trailhead on Rt 23. From Colgate Lake, you will have traveled about 16.3 miles having climbed 5 summits.
| Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness | |
|---|---|
| Contact Information: | DEC Region 4 Stamford Office hours: M-F 8:30AM - 4:30PM Phone: (607) 652-7365; Email: r4.ump@dec.ny.gov Backcountry Emergency: (Search, Rescue & Forest Fire): 518-408-5850 or dial 911 |
| Location: | Towns of Cairo, Hunter, Jewett, Windham and Durham in Greene County |
| Map: | View Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness Map - PDF (2.82 MB) |
| Amenities: | Dining opportunities, as well as gas, food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Cairo, Windham and Palenville. |
| Weather: | Blackhead Mountain weather |
| Cell Service: | Never count on your cell phone for rescue. Cell service in the Windham-Blackhead Wilderness is okay and one may have problems in ravines. We have not had problems with service. |
| Colgate Lake Wild Forest | |
|---|---|
| Contact Information: | DEC Region 4 Stamford Office hours: M-F 8:30AM - 4:30PM Phone: (607) 652-7365; Email: r4.ump@dec.ny.gov Backcountry Emergency: (Search, Rescue & Forest Fire): 518-408-5850 or dial 911 |
| Location: | Towns of Hunter and Jewett, Greene County |
| Map: | View Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness Map - PDF (2.82 MB) |
| Amenities: | Lodging and dining opportunities as well as gas, food and other supplies may be found in the communities of Windham and Palenville. |
Backpacking map Colgate Lake and Escarpment Trail
Click the map or here for an interactive version of the map.
