Hunter Mountain Catskills
Hunter Mountain is the second highest peak in the Catskills and the highest peak in New York with a Fire Tower. Hunter has a complex history as it was a center for logging with much, but not all of its slopes logged. There have been many fires on Hunter one as recent as 2019. The summit fire tower and other viewpoints along trails make Hunter a worthwhile peak to visit. Having said this, it is…
Lean-tos in the Hunter Mountain area
Lean-tos in the Hunter – West Kill Wilderness and Rusk Mountain Wild Forest are included in this description. These lean-tos make for a great overnight or weekend-long outings to explore the surrounding area. They are also located close enough to trailheads to make for a nice first camping experience. Beware that these are popular lean-tos especially on the weekends and holidays. One can find tent spots near each one. There are three lean-tos in the…
Rusk and East Rusk in the Catskills
Rusk Mountain is a required peak for the Catskill 3500 Club membership. It is the highest peak in Lexington Chain just west of Hunter Mountain. No trail traverses this range. With a summit elevation of 3,680, it is 22nd highest in the Catskill high peaks. However, located next to Hunter, Southwest Hunter, and West Kill mountains it seems slight. But what it lacks in height it makes up for in a grand first growth forest.…
Hunter Mountain via the West Ridge
Hunter Mountain is the Catskill’s second highest peak and one of five with a restored fire tower on the summit. Hunter’s summit has been heavily logged in the past and has experienced many burns. Forest historian, Michael Kudish, has referred to Hunter as the “burn capital” of the Catskills. The logging on Hunter was so extensive that unlike other high peaks in these mountains there is very little growth forest left. Hunter is a busy…
Great Hikes: Hunter Mountain Spruceton Trail
The Spruceton Trail is a very popular approach to Hunter’s summit and with a return on Devil’s Path makes a great circuit hike. The Spruceton Trail follows the old jeep road that serviced the fire tower. This is a well-graded trail and has a few moderately steep sections. You can hike an out-and-back on the Spruceton Trail or extend your day on Devil’s Path and make it a wonderful, but more challenging loop. The trail…