Secret Hike: Mega Mounds & Shadow Pool

This short, strange hike leads through one of the largest and most impressive bluestone quarries in The Catskills.

Hike Length: 1.6 miles (2.51 km)

Total Ascent: 150ft (46m)

Intensity: Easy Catskills Hike

Route Type: Lollipop

Includes: Blazed Trail, Herd Path, Easy Bushwhack, Rock Scrambles, Road Walk

quarry pool

Quarry pond

Disclosure: This content may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

This short, strange hike leads through one of the largest and most impressive bluestone quarries in The Catskills.

The massive, abandoned bluestone quarry dates from the late 1800’s. It supplied Catskills bluestone for some of New York City’s most famous buildings.

The piles of quarry tailings are really something, as are the views from on top of them.

There’s even some fish in a very striking quarry pond!

You might also enjoy…

Hiking Trail

This hiking trail includes…

  • A very small parking area
  • A short steep road walk
  • A very large quarry
  • Views from the top of the quarry tailings
  • A lovely quarry pool
  • A sweet loop with good winter views of the Devil’s Path

Trail Notes & Gallery

The remainder of this trail guide is accessible to subscribers who kindly support this content. Get full access to this website and enjoy great supporter benefits!

Get full access now and enjoy member-only benefits.
hiking trail

Similar Hikes

This hike is short and easy enough to be a Nature Trail.

It’s also dripping with history.

It’s not well known, so I’ve marked it as a Secret Spot.

Read More

Get full access…

Get instant access to the full version of this site and enjoy great supporter benefits: full galleries, full trail notes, early access to the latest content, and more.

Hot on the website right now…

Follow for more…

Follow my @TotalCatskills content on Instagram for regular hiking inspo and safe, inclusive community.

I also stay active on Facebook and Threads.