wooden boardwalk in spring forest

Hodge Pond 3: The Nazgûl Loop

A route that combines so many strange and disparate elements, it’s unforgettably weird!

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Southwest Hunter from Stony Clove Notch

Southwest Hunter from Stony Clove Notch

A steep but straightforward route to one of the easiest bushwhack summits in the Catskills.

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Brook with chasm-like walls

Secret Hike: Waterfall Superhighway

A stunning Catskills “canyon” dotted with multiple gorgeous waterfalls.

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scenic view mountain summits

Van Wyck to Table & Peekamoose (updated)

Two plane wrecks. Two bear holes. Two talus fields. One incredible view.

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jay mountain ridge in the Adirondacks

Jay Mountain Ridge

Jay Mountain Ridge stands as the most rewarding and memorable hiking experience I had in 2022.

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Hurricane Ledge on Kaaterskill High Peak

Kaaterskill High Peak via Hurricane Ledge

Hiking Kaaterskill High Peak via Hurricane Ledge means a long wet hike in to the base of the summit — but then an epic Catskills climb.

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Pitch pines

Secret Hike: Gunks in the Cats

A true bushwhack to a surprisingly Gunks-like patch in the heart of The Catskills.

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reservoir view through opening in trees

Secrets of Samuels Point

A short but challenging bushwhack to the strange and beautiful summit of Samuels Point.

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Herd path

Should We Stop Bushwhacking the Catskills?

I asked, “How can hikers best use the mountains right now, in terms of bushwhacking? Should we cool it for a while?”

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Seymour mountain hikers in rainy muddy forest

Seymour Mountain Trail Guide

Even in lousy conditions, the long, difficult hike to Seymour Mountain in the Seward Range is super rewarding.

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two hikers in silhouette in a rock chasm

North Dome, Mount Sherrill & Hagadone Hollow

The bushwhack over North Dome and Mount Sherrill is never easy. I found a way to make it even more difficult.

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rock ledge on Table Mountain

Table, Peekamoose, Lone & Rocky

The easiest and most beautiful route to Lone and Rocky — but this is still one of the hardest hikes in The Catskills

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hiker in yellow jacket on Grace Peak in the Adirondacks

Dix Range from Elk Lake

Demanding and spectacular, the Dix Range is one of the most rugged and scenic Adirondack mountain ranges.

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Subaru Forester parked in turnaround

Richmond Mountain & Richtmyer Peak

Just parking for Richmond Mountain is 4WD dirt road dogfight.

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icicles hanging from rock wall

Thru-Hike North Dome & Mount Sherrill

This intense bushwhack route over two of the most difficult Catskills peaks is challenging and rewarding.

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orange canister affixed to tree trunk

Fir & Big Indian

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

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