Hike of the Week 11/18/2004

Ashokan High Point in the Catskills

Location:  Ulster County

Length:  7-plus miles roundtrip

Rating:  Strenuous

Dogs:  A very good dog walk.

Map:  Catskill Trails map 43

Features: Mixed forest, lovely brook, spectacular views of the Hudson Valley and its mountains, north and south.

Watch out for: Icy trails if below freezing the night before

Background:

Editor's note: This is the fourth in a multi-part series of hikes in the Catskill Mountains.

More Catskills information: Contact the DEC Region 3 headquarters in New Paltz at 845-256-3083 or 845-256-3082 or go to www.dec.state.ny.us.

Hike Description:

At 3,080 feet, this is not considered one of the Catskill high peaks. Nevertheless, it offers some of the best views in the mountains. The trail begins across the road from the parking area and follows an old woods road for about 2.5 miles to the notch between High Point and Mombaccus Mountain. The slope is gentle and parallels the Kanope Brook through a mixed forest. At the notch, turn sharply left; the way soon becomes steep. It is about one mile of strenuous climbing to the summit, where the view is south to the Shawangunks. An unmarked trail to a lower knob that offers a blueberr plain (blazing scarlet in autumn) and even better views can be located by following a trail (not the one blazed red) that leaves the northeast corner of the summit clearing. Once found, the quarter-mile herd path is easy to follow. Another spectacular view -- north to the Burroughs Range -- can be found by following the red trail to a series of small meadows. Return by retracing your footsteps.

More Catskills information: Contact the DEC Region 3 headquarters in New Paltz at 845-256-3083 or 845-256-3082 or go to www.dec.state.ny.us.

How to get there: 

From the traffic circle at the Kingston exit on the New York State Thruway, go north on Route 28 for 16 miles, turn left on Route 28A, at 2.7 miles turn right on County Route 42, at 3.9 miles, turn right into Kanope Brook parking area.

About the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference : The NY-NJ Trail Conference is a federation of hiking clubs, environmental organizations and individual members who volunteer their time and resources to build and maintain hiking trails and protect related open space in the bi-state region.

Information : For a more detailed description of this hike including a map, visit www.nynjtc.org and click on Hike of the Week. For information on NYNJTC activities, call 201-512-9348 or email info@nynjtc.org.

Hike of the Week is a regular feature in the Poughkeepsie Journal Players section, call 845-437-4848. This hike is contributed by NYNJTC member Georgette Weir.

V3 Last updated: November 18, 2004   Copyright © 1996-2004  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.