Palmer Hill Trail in the Catskills. Fun but Unusual.

The Palmer Hill trails stats

Distance:	Difficulty:
Trailhead to Farmstead Int. 0.6-miles	Easy
Upper Meadow Loop – 1.0-miles	Easy +
Lower Meadow Loop – 1.5-miles	Easy +
All trails out-and-back – 3.7-miles	Easy-moderate

The trail step by step

1. The trailhead is at the corner of State RT 28 and Finkle Road (42.1952906, -74.7434402). The best view of the day is found here.
2. Depart the trailhead mostly downhill through fields; you cross Bryant’s Brook, then quickly reach Farmstead Intersection at 0.6-miles. The remains of foundations are found here.
3. Going left or straight from the Farmstead Intersection, you’ll be on the 1-mile red-marked Upper Meadow Loop Trail. Either direction will bring you back to the intersection—some moderate climbing. There are lovely views from the top of the loop.
4. From the Farmstead Intersection going right, you’ll be on the longer 1.5-miles blue-marked Lower Meadow Loop Trail. The loop provides close-up views of the valley and farm below and surrounding hills—hike on downhills and some level stretches and short climbs.

Note: bring plenty of sun protection and water as most of the trails length are through open fields and are fully exposed to the sun. Dress for deer ticks.

Photos

The view from the parking area is stunning. On the horizon from right to left is Balsam Lake Mountain, the two tiny bumps are Schoolhouse East and West, Graham, Double Top, Dry Brook Ridge, Pakatakan Mountain, Haines Mountain, Hirams Knob, and Balsam Mountain. Closer and in the middle is Cole Hill. The two ridges in the foreground are from Fords Hill (R) and Little Pisgah Mountain (L).

Panorama of trailhead view

Another hike on NYCDEP lands: Bramley Mountain Loop Trails Catskills

Map of The Palmer Hill Trail

Click on the map or here for a larger version of the map.

Other resources

Catskill Mountain Club Avenza Map Set

NYC DEP Recreation Map