Slide Mountain is the tallest peak in the Catskill Mountains of New York. It is located in the southern Catskills and is a wilderness unit bearing its name; Slide Mountain Wilderness. Being the tallest makes it one of the most popular. It ranks first in the Catskills at 4184′ and eclipses 17 of the Adirondack Forty-Sixer peaks. Slide’s nearest higher neighbor is Killington Peak in Vermont. Even with the height, Slide is hard to view from the lowlands and one must climb to one of the Catskill’s other high peaks to get a glimpse of it. Slide offers a variety of difficulties on approach from moderately-hard to demanding! For the experienced hiker, there are ways up Slide that doesn’t require a trail. Slide is a required peak for the Catskill 3500 Club membership and is also one of the club’s four winter required peaks.
Featured Photo: Slide from Cornell. Above from left top clockwise: Scrambling up rock ledge on north face of Slide; Curtis – Ormsbee Memorial; Camping on the Woodland Valley Loop; Cornell and Wittenberg from Slide; Crossing a cliff on the north face of Slide; On the Burroughs Range Trail between Cornell and Slide; Trail sign at the start of the Burroughs Range Trail near the Slide Mountain PA; Devil’s Path from the north face of Slide; Long log stairs on the north face of Slide; Burroughs memorial on summit; Parking area sign on Slide Mountain Road; View on the north face of Slide; Climbing the west ridge from Slide Mountain Rd in winter.
Geeky Stuff
| Elevation | 4184′ (1275.28 M) |
| Lat/Lon: | 41°59′55″N / 74°23′11″ W |
| Seasons: | Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
| Activities: | Hiking, Snowshoeing, Camping, Bushwhacking |
| Nearest higher neighbor | Killington Peak, Vermont |
| Line parent | Roaring Plains (4702′), West Virginia |
| Key-col | 900 ft/274 m (Horseheads, NY) |
| Prominence | 3280 ft/1000 m |
| Range | Catskill Mountains > Southern Catskills > Burroughs Range |
| Land Unit | Slide Mountain Wilderness |
| Summit forest | Boreal in first growth |
| Maps and Guide | NY-NJTC Catskill Map Set NY-NJTC Digital Trail Maps ADK Catskill Trail Guide |
The Dirt
The lands on Slide Mountain are administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The DEC works with numerous organizations to maintain the trails, lean-tos, and campsites. In the Catskills, the maintenance is done by a volunteer force.
The Slide Mountain Wilderness has 35-miles of foot trails and many of these trails connect, in combination, to reach the summit of Slide. This means that one can hike Slide from several trailheads and taking 1-3 trails hike to the summit. Distances from trailheads to summit range from 2.3-miles to 12.2-miles.
As with many peaks, Slide has some cool spots to visit. Some are grand, some are historical, and some are natural. Below are some examples:
- Curtis-Ormsbee Memorial at the start on the Curtis-Ormsbee Trail
- John Burroughs Memorial Plaque on the “summit” rock.
- The great staircase on the north face on the Burroughs Range Trail
- The foundation of the fire tower at the true summit
- One of the best high elevation springs in these mountains on the north face on the Burroughs Range Trail
- A plane crash on the mountain’s east slope at about 3,620 feet
History
Slide Mountain has a special history in the Catskills. If interested, read our post, Slide Mountain Catskills – The Tallest One of All.
Trail Approaches
| Main trails | Phoenicia East Branch Trail (aka Denning-Woodland Valley Trail; Mount Pleasant-Romer Mountain Trail; The Wittenberg – Cornell – Slide Trail (aka Burroughs Range Trail); Curtis-Ormsbee Trail |
| Shortest approach | Phoenicia East Branch and Burroughs Range Trail from Slide Mountain Parking Area |
| Easiest winter route | Phoenicia East Branch and Burroughs Range Trail from Slide Mountain Parking Area |
| Hardest route | From Romer Mountain trailhead on Lane Street near Phoenicia. |
From Oliverea (Slide Mountain) Road
Even though the climb from Oliverea Rd can be done as an out-and-back making it a 5.4-mile hike, we prefer the return on the Curtis-Ormsbee Trail.
The Burroughs Range – Curtis-Ormsbee Loop
| Distance: | 6.4 miles | Route type: | Lollipop |
| Total climb: | 1780′ | Hike type: | Marked trail |
| How hard? | Moderate | Trailhead: | Slide Mountain (Oliverea/Rt 42) Road |
Trail and distances
| Trailhead (TH) on Phoenicia East Branch trail to Junction with Burroughs Range Trail | 0.7-miles (0.7-miles from TH) |
| Burroughs Range Trail to Junction with Curtis-Ormsbee Trail | 1.3-miles (2.0-miles from TH) |
| Junction with Curtis-Ormsbee Trail to viewing ledge | 0.7-miles (2.7-miles from TH) |
| Viewing ledge back to Junction with Curtis-Ormsbee Trail | 0.7-miles (3.4-miles from TH) |
| Curtis-Ormsbee Trail to Phoenicia East Branch trail | 1.5-miles (4.9-miles from TH) |
| Phoenicia East Branch trail to trailhead | 1.5-miles (6.4-miles total) |
From Woodland Valley
This is one of the most exciting routes to Slide. Passing over the summits of Wittenberg and Cornell and traversing the high elevation col with Red Spruce is outstanding. It is a tough out-and-back or could be done as a point to point with a second car spotted at Oliverea (Slide Mountain) Road. Be in great shape for this hike!
Red Tape
In season there is a daily fee to park at the Woodland Valley parking area. Call the state campground to find out what the current fee is. This means that if you are backpacking from this parking area expect to pay the fee for the number of days you’ll be out on the trail.
The Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide route on the Burroughs Range Trail
| Distance: | 14 miles RT | Route type: | Out-and-back |
| Total climb: | 4727′ RT | Hike type: | Marked trail |
| How hard? | Difficult | Trailhead: | Woodland Valley |
Trail and distances
| Woodland Valley on Burroughs Range Trail to Terrace Mountain Junction | 2.6-miles |
| Terrace Mountain Junction to the Mount Pleasant-Romer Mountain Trail to Phoenicia | 0.2-miles (2.8-miles from TH) |
| Phoenicia-East Branch Trail junction to Wittenberg on Burroughs Range Trail | 1.1-miles (3.9-miles from TH) |
| Wittenberg to Cornell on Burroughs Range Trail | 0.8-miles (4.7-miles from TH) |
| Cornell to Slide-Cornell Col on Burroughs Range Trail | 1.45-miles (6.15-miles from TH) |
| Col to Summit of Slide on Burroughs Range Trail | 0.85-miles (7-miles from TH) |
| Return to Woodland Valley | 7-miles (14-miles total) |
| Option: Second car at Slide Mountain Trailhead continuing on the Burroughs Range Trail | 2.8-miles (9.8-miles from TH) |
From Phoenicia
This route starts at the Romer Mountain trailhead on Lane Street near the Village of Phoenicia. It is the hardest route up Slide but maybe the most spectacular. It’s not a beginner’s hike and you’ll need to be in great physical condition to do it in one day. You climb over five summits before reaching Slide and hike about 9.0-miles before getting to the Burroughs Range Trail on this route!
This hike is being presented from Lane Street up to the Burroughs Range Trail.
However, it may be wise to do this as a point-to-point from Slide Mountain Trailhead on Oliverea (Slide Mountain) Road and down to Lane Street.
Mount Pleasant-Romer Mountain Trail from Lane Street & Burroughs Range
| Distance: | 26.6-miles RT | Route type: | Out-and-back |
| Total climb to Slide: | 5000′ | Hike type: | Marked trail |
| How hard? | Extreme | Trailhead: | Romer Mtn Trailhead |
Trail and distances
| Trailhead on Lane Street to Spring spur path | 0.39-miles from TH |
| Spring to summit of Romer Mountain | 2.81-miles (3.2-miles from TH) |
| Summit of Romer to view at contour below Mt Pleasant | 1.9-miles (5.1-miles from TH) |
| View to views past the Grand Stair Case | 2.85-miles (7.95-miles from TH) |
| Views to Burroughs Range Trail junction | 1.15-miles (9.1-miles from TH) |
| From junction to Wittenberg summit | 1.1-miles (10.2-miles from Lane St. TH) |
| Wittenberg summit to Cornell Summit | 0.8-miles (11-miles from Lane St. TH) |
| Cornell Summit to Slide Summit | 2.3-miles (13.3 from Lane St. TH) |
| Return to Lane Street | 13.3-miles (26.6-miles total) |
| Option: Second car at Slide Mountain Trailhead continuing on the Burroughs Range Trail | 2.8-miles (16.1 from Lane St. TH) |
From Denning
The Denning trailhead is a lonely place. Have your car in good condition, a breakdown means a long walk to get help. Having said that, it is one of the most beautiful rides to a trailhead in the Catskills. Driving in the Frost Valley area to the Neversink is simply a joy.
Hiking Slide from Denning is a route that does not see the same use as other ways up the mountain. It makes for a nice out-and-back or great point-to-point backpacking trip ending at the Romer Mountain trailhead on Lane Street. The Denning trailhead is also the starting point to access the Fisherman’s Path that can be used as a trail-less way up Slide.
Private Property Alert
The first mile of this hike is through private property. You will enter state land just before the junction with Peekamoose-Table Trail. Please stay on the trail.
Phoenicia-East Branch Trail from Denning and the Curtis-Ormsbee Trail
| Distance: | 10.2-miles RT | Route type: | Out-and-back |
| Total climb: | 2194′ | Hike type: | Marked trail |
| How hard? | Difficult | Trailhead: | Denning Road |
Trails and distances
| Denning trailhead to junction with Peekamoose-Table Trail | 1.2-miles |
| Peekamoose-Table Trail junction to Curtis-Ormsbee Trail | 1.7-miles (2.9-miles from TH) |
| Curtis-Ormsbee Trail to Burroughs Range Trail | 1.5-miles (4.4-miles from TH) |
| Burroughs Range Trail to Slide summit | 0.7-miles (5.1-miles from TH) |
| Return from summit to Denning | 5.1-miles (10.2-miles RT) |
Camping
Note: The maps on this page, primitive campsites with a question mark mean that the campsite has been reported but we have not seen it. The DEC does open and close primitive campsites from time to time, contact the local ranger to verify your plans.
| Closest camping | Woodland Valley State Campground, Terrace Mountain Lean-to, Primitive campsites in col between Cornell and Slide, Primitive Campsite on Burroughs Range Trail near the junction with the Phoenicia East Branch Trail, Primitive campsites on the Phoenicia East Branch Trail heading to Lane Street, Primitive campsites near and on Giant Ledge. |
Camping at the lean-to is first come first serve and no lean-to or designated campsite can be reserved. Lean-to capacity is about 7-8 people. All designated primitive tent sites have yellow and black “Camp Here” markers. Many sites on lakes and ponds are identified by a yellow number against a dark brown wooden plaque typically attached to a tree near the water’s edge.
At-large backcountry camping is also allowed. Campsites must be below 3,500 feet in elevation and at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail, or body of water.
Camping for more than three nights or in a group of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.
One of the most exciting backpacking trips, the Slide-Cornell-Wittenberg Loop, can be done from Woodland Valley or another trailhead on the loop. On the approaches to Slide there are good camping spots including a lean-to (1), primitive campsites, at-large camping, and Woodland Valley State Campground
Safety and Wellness
Please sign in at all trail registers, here’s why.
Bears
There are an estimated 1,800 to 2,000 black bears in the Catskills. The following are the recommendations from the DEC on bear management:
- Use bear-resistant food canisters. These are a highly effective means for preventing bears from getting your food, toiletries, and garbage. Use of bear-resistant canisters is encouraged throughout the Adirondack and Catskill backcountry, and are required in Eastern High Peaks Wilderness of the Adirondack Park.
- Pack a minimal amount of food. The less food to store the better. Use lightweight and dehydrated foods.
- Cook and eat before dark. Bears become more active after sunset.
- Cook away from your campsite. Choose an area at least 100 feet away from your sleeping area.
- Be neat and clean while cooking. Avoid spills and drippings. Do not pour grease into your fire pit.
- Keep food in storage containers. Only take out the food you plan to cook. Keep containers nearby and store food immediately if a bear approaches your cooking area.
- Avoid leftovers. Carefully plan your meals and eat all that you cook.
- Never leave food unattended. Bears may watch from a distance waiting for opportunities to steal food.
DEC Fact Sheet on Bear Encounters (PDF)
If You Encounter a Bear at Your Campsite
Do:
- Use noise to scare bears away: Yell, clap, or bang pots immediately upon sighting a bear near your campsite.
- Stay calm: Walk slowly and speak in a loud and calm voice.
- Leave slowly: Cautiously back away from the bear and leave the area.
Don’t:
- Approach, surround, or corner a bear: Bears aggressively defend themselves when they feel threatened. Be especially cautious around cubs as mother bears are very protective.
- Run from a bear: They may chase.
- Throw your backpack or food bag at an approaching bear: This will only encourage bears to approach and “bully” people to get food. By teaching a bear to approach humans for food, you are endangering yourself, other campers/residents, and the bears.
A note on water
Drinking and cooking water should be boiled for 5 minutes, treated with purifying tablets, or filtered through filtration device to prevent instances of giardia infection.
Contacts and Map
| Slide Mountain Wilderness | |
|---|---|
| Contact Information: | DEC Region 3 New Paltz Office: phone (845) 256-3000 (M-F 8:30AM - 4:30PM), email: r3admin@dec.ny.gov Law Enforcement, Emergency & Ranger: 518-408-5850 or dial 911 |
| Location: | Towns of Shandaken, Denning and Olive in Ulster County |
| Map: | Slide Mountain Wilderness Map |
| Amenities: | Food, gas, and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Phoenicia and Boiceville. Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Boiceville, Mount Tremper, Phoenicia and Shandaken. Lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Mount Tremper, Oliverea, Phoenicia, Shandaken. |
| Weather: | Slide Mountain Weather |
| Cell Service: | Never count on your cell phone for rescue. Cell service in the Slide Mountain Wilderness is sparse and one may have problems gaining a signal. |
Click the map or here for an interactive version of the map.
Backwoods wanderer with a passion for backpacking, hiking, kayaking, and exploring the wilds of the Catskills and Adirondacks in New York. A Catskill 3500 Club Member and Adirondack Forty-Sixer. Climbed Mount Rainier. Professionally an Exercise Physiologist.
