January 17, 2021

Fir & Big Indian

This long hike mixes beautiful Catskills trails and fun water crossings with a long bushwhack section over two substantial mountain peaks.

Hike Length: 10.0 miles (16.09 km)

Total Ascent: 2,250ft (686m)

Intensity: Moderate Catskills Hike

Route Type: Lollipop

Includes: Blazed Trail, Easy Bushwhack, True Bushwhack, Stream Crossing, River Crossing

Parent : Fir

Similar Entries In: Catskills, The Moderate Hikes, Big Indian, Bushwhack, Compass, Fir, Long Hikes, True Bushwhack, Winter.

3500 Canister on Big Indian’s summit

Disclosure: Links to external websites on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

A long lollipop route with a great mix of trail and bushwhack.

Hiking Trail Description

The parent mountain for this hike is Fir.

If you do this hike, let me know how it went in the comments below. Your feedback makes this site better.

Trailhead Info for this Hike

Medium-sized lot on the opposite side of the road from the trailhead.

Google Maps Location: 41.991444, -74.485034

The map below shows the exact topographic location of the trailhead

Cell Service

Patchy LTE above 3250’. My network is Verizon. YMMV.

Your comments are welcome here… Cancel reply

Catskills Trail Conditions

Last Updated: Fri, Dec 3

Daylight Hours
Sunrise Apx: 7:05 am
Sunset Apx: 4:25 pm
Very limited daylight for hikes. Hike safe. Always pack a headlamp.

Weather
No deep snow is forecast so no need for snowshoes yet. But temps are low and the weekend will be windy. Watch for ice and wind-chill.

Wind Chill
30mph winds over the weekend will add real wind-chill to cold temps. Read How Cold is Too Cold To Hike? and How Windy is Too Windy To Hike?

Ice Alert
Ice all over now. Pack microspikes until June.

Snow
No snow currently forecast but dustings will be common.

Forecasts
Keep an eye on forecasts for Balsam Lake and Hunter Mountain for west and east Catskills respectively.

More Trail Conditions
Catskill Visitor Center Reports
DEC Backcountry Info

Hike Safe
Learn how to hike safely in the wilderness.

Catskills Notices

Hunting Season
It’s still hunting season so wear lots of orange on hikes, especially when bushwhacking. Keep your dog brightly-colored too, and on-leash at all times.

Cold Gear
There’s ice up high. Now is a good time to start prepping your winter hiking gear. Pack microspikes until June.

Winter Gear
You can survive and thrive on the hills in winter. Review your winter hiking gear and grab this free winter hiking cheat sheet.

Closure
Platte Clove Road will close any time now, at the first snowfall or ice event. It closes until the spring thaw. When it’s closed, here is your alternate route to the Devil’s Path trailheads.

Closure
Graham & Doubletop mountains are closed permanently to hikers. The list of peaks required to become a member of the Catskill 3500 Club as been reduced to 33.

Hiking Trail Description

Trailhead Info for this Hike

Cell Service

Your comments are welcome here… Cancel reply

Winter Gear Checklist