Huntersfield Mountain in the Catskills

This was a “recovery hike” for Christian as he is just getting back on the trail after major knee surgery this past May. We wanted to climb Hunterfield last Winter but attempted to after a major storm and parking was not possible. We decided to climb from the quarry which limits the ascent to about 660’ and a 2.8-miles round trip.

Although outside the Catskill blueline, in the Huntersfield State Forest, Huntersfield Mountain can stand with the many of the Catskill High Peaks. Its proximity being many miles away from the jumble of 3500 high peaks and standing high above its neighbors at a height of 3,423’ makes Huntersfield look massive. With large ridges that makes an X or cross when looked at from above the footprint of the peak is large.

The mountain has fine views from the lean-to near the summit and another just up the trail. Although anytime of the year is good to go, it may be best when the leaves are down and use discretion in Winter especially after major snow as roads are seasonally maintained and parking is limited on the ones that are plowed.

Huntersfield summit is also at the county line for Schoharie and Greene counties. So this makes Huntersfield the highest point in Schoharie County and is ranked 9th of New York’s 62 county high points and 7th of the Catskill 67. On this day, we had the mountain to ourselves and we only counted 18 names listed in the lean-to register over the past 30-days. Thus, if one wishes to visit a “high peak” in relative solitude this could be the hill for you.

Trails to Huntersfield Mountain

There are several approaches to the peak. Some are on trail others are old woods roads. You can find directions to the mountain in the links below. Our description will start from the quarry on Jim Cleveland Road which is a rough access road that penetrates the state land to the Huntersfield State Forest proper.

If you drive this road to the quarry know several things:

1. It is rough and curvy/steep and at points
2. It is narrow and may only be enough for one car to drive
3. It may be too rough for cars that sit very low to the ground

If any of the above bother you, enter from the Huntersfield Road side of the mountain.

The quarry is at the col between Huntersfield’s summit and a 2,850’ knob on the ridge you’ll be climbing. From the rear of the quarry there is an obvious woods road which heads just north of east. The trail climbs a gentle grade for most of its length. Although not marked until the junction with the Yellow trail near the summit it is easy to follow. Soon after entering the trail you’ll hike by and in a reforestation area that has wonderful towering red pines.

If you look you’ll also fine scattered about young spruce trees (I think Norway Spruce) which will fight for existence as not much sunlight penetrates to the forest floor. The spruce are probably best found when the leaves are down.

As you climb and the trail noticeably swings left the trees become stunted. You are at about 3,000’ elevation. According to Micheal Kudish, in his book “The Catskill Forest: A History”, he speculated that the summit and shoulders of Huntersfield may be in first growth. He felt that the stunted growth above 3,000’ would make the harvest of trees not worthwhile. Additionally, to support this thought he cites the lack of pioneer species, stumps, and minimal human disturbance.

From here the woods road makes a straight run to the summit. In typical Catskill style you make short climbs (easy) with long level walks. At about 3,300’ you will reach the trail junction with the yellow trail which you continue on to the large lean-to.

The lean-to by Catskill standards is unusual and somewhat luxurious as it has a small table and benches to sit on in it. It also has ample pegs to hang gear or clothing on. However, the structure needs some TLC. There is no privy at the lean-to but it does boast some of the finest views from a lean-to in these mountains.

From the view with some walking around one can see Hunter, SW Hunter, The Lexington Range, Deep Notch and Sleeping Lion on Halcott, Westkill, St. Anne’s Peak, North Dome, and Sherrill. In the foreground is Tower Mountain and in the distance, one can make out the unmistakable summit of Slide Mountain, the highest peak in the Catskills. With binoculars, one can probably identify more peaks.

Not too far from the lean-to is a nice view looking north over the Huntersfield Range. The view includes The Knob, Ashland Pinnacle, Richmond Mountain, Mount Hyden, and Ginseng Mountain. With a bit of moving and a bit further away In the distance one can spy Windham High Peak and the Black Dome Range.

While sitting in the lean-to one can almost feel the oldness of the summit with stunted trees some of which have been warped by the high elevation weather.

From the second viewpoint, you’ll walk the Yellow trail to its terminus near the summit (marked by 3 trail markers) and reach the Red Trail. On the trail not far from this point there is a summit disk but we think the actual summit is a few feet off the trail.

Simply retrace your steps back to the quarry and your round-trip will be about 2.8-miles if you go to the summit. Beware, on your way back down you will reach a fork in the woods road that you may miss on your climb up. Coming down take the right fork which continues on the ridge. If you feel that you are dropping off the ridge you may have taken another woods road.

Huntersfield State 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:	Town of Conesville, Schoharie County and Towns of Ashland and Prattsville, Greene County
Map:	View Huntersfield State Forest Map (PDF)
Amenities:	Lodging and dining opportunities, as well as lodging, gas and other supplies, may be found in the nearby communities of Prattsville and Windham.
Weather:	https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Vly-Mountain-Greene-County-New-York/forecasts/1076

Map of Woods Road on Huntersfield Mountain