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…
Richmond Mountain and Richtmyer Peak in the Catskills
Richmond Mountain and Richtmyer Peak are located in the Catskill Mountains on the border of Schoharie and Greene Counties. They can be considered as part of the Huntersfield Range. Both peaks make for a relatively easy day hike, but to get to the summit of Richmond Mountain will require a short bushwhack. Given this, one should possess knowledge on how to use a map and compass. There is a nice viewpoint on the ridge to…
Ashland Pinnacle in the Catskill Mountains
Straddling the border of Schoharie and Greene county, Ashland Pinnacle at 3010’, and its slightly shorter neighbor, The Knob, sits in the shadow of Huntersfield Mountain. They are in a chain of peaks that could be considered to be the Huntersfield Range. Although no long views present themselves on this hike, when the trees are bare many peaks are visible and views into the valleys are inspiring. Note, on the 2010 Trail Conference map, the…
Closure of Kaaterskill Falls, Upper Viewing Platform due to COVID-19
Immediately the upper parking areas Molly Smith, Laurel House Road, and Scutt Road will be closed. The trails connecting to the falls and upper viewing platform to the famed Kaaterskill Falls will be closed until further notice. Additionally, the DEC is blocking roads leading to N-S Lake State Campground. You can read the entire news release here. Take a virtual hike of Kaaterskill Falls If you want to enjoy the view of the falls from…
COVID-19 Hiking and Camping: NYS Fire Towers Closed
As we have all been asked to be socially responsible and practice social distancing during the COVID-19 (aka coronavirus) outbreak, it is hard to do in urban areas. It seems that this will go on for some time and mandates will change as the situation changes. People have been heading for parks and playgrounds with their kids to ease the tension of being indoors. Who can blame them? We in the hiking community know all…