Acra Point & Batavia Kill Loop with Burnt Knob Lookout

Begin by following the red blazes of the Batavia Kill Trail southeast from the parking area at the end of Big Hollow Road.

At the first trail junction, continue straight and follow the yellow blazes along a 0.9 mile spur trail that runs beside Batavia Kill.

Enjoy several cute footbridges along the way…

Stop to visit the lean-to if you have time. It’s tucked a short distance off the main trail.

After the lean-to, the trail takes a switchback up to the second junction.

This is one of my favorite junctions. It’s just so lovely. There are a bunch of spruce trees here, and the area reminds me a little of the Adirondacks.

At the junction, turn left and hike north toward Acra Point. For the next several miles, follow the blue blazes of the Escarpment Trail.

I’d never seen these kinds of frozen droplet ice-pendants before but on this day, all along this section of trail, I noticed maybe 200 of them, hanging like jewels in the forest.

The trail up is rugged in spots…

But there are many beautiful things to see if you keep your eyes open…

Bookah’s Bump

About half way along this trail section, I did a quick bushwhack to explore the sub-summit known as Bookah’s Bump. I thought there might be some views of the Blackhead range but I didn’t find any.

The summit of Bookahs Bump was unremarkable except for these totally fantastic Tim Burton trees…

Summit of Acra Point

Pass over the summit of Acra Point. It’s not much, either. There used to be an open escarpment view but now it’s grown over.

Continue about half-a-mile west and then look to the left side of the trail for an entry to a fantastic lookout…

Acra Point Lookout

Until I saw the view from below Burnt Knob, I though this view was pretty amazing. Because it is! Directly across the way, you can see Blackhead, Black Dome and Thomas Cole.

This is a great spot to rest and snack, and to revisit in different seasons. To the right, you can see Burnt Knob in the distance…

From here, it’s a short distance downhill to the third junction, and then only 0.4 miles to the Burnt Knob Lookout.

Burnt Knob Lookout

There’s one spot on the way to the lookout that’s a little steep. I’m always glad I have my microspikes, and I‘ve put them on just for this one short section several times.

At 0.4 miles from the junction, look on your left for the short herd path down to the lookout. It’s easy to miss. If you end up walking on a long flat section, you’ve passed it and need to turn back.

The view from the large ledge kills me. There’s so much to take in. The Blackhead Range and Camels Hump…

This is another great spot to revisit in different seasons…

Notice the house below the summit of Blackhead. The trail from the parking area actually passes this house on the way up through the notch…

You can bushwhack up to the top of Burnt Knob. I haven’t done it yet, as I’m usually pretty tired by this point. You can also hike 2.35 miles west from here to the summit of Windham High Peak.

Arizona Mountain

Looking through the notch, you can see Arizona Mountain peeking up from behind Blackhead’s northern ridge. (The notch is the location of the second junction on this route. So a while ago you were there!)

Arizona is a special mountain itself, with one of the great Catskills views tucked on one side.

Descent to Black Dome Valley

Head back to the third junction, turn right, and begin the quick 1.1 mile descent to Big Hollow Road. Follow the red blazes.

About ⅔ the way down, you’ll pass through a particularly beautiful hemlock forest into which two mountain streams converge.

All around here is insanely pretty, with some very old hemlock trees…

Make your way to the final footbridge, which is right next to Big Hollow Road.

Your car is close by.