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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Giant Mountain seen at a distance

Giant Mountain

Giant Mountain is one of the most popular peaks in the Adirondacks. This route offers a super fun climb and a super scenic descent.

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Lower Wolf Jaw from Route 73

Lower Wolfjaw via Rooster Comb

The long hike out to Lower Wolfjaw is steep and rugged, passing over Hedgehog Mountain. It also includes a very difficult slab rock scramble.

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nun-da-ga-o ridge hike

Nun-Da-Ga-O Ridge Loop

The Nun-Da-Ga-O ridge is as magical as it is tough. Do not let these easy-sounding mileage and elevation stats trick you!

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Scenic Mountain View from Indian Head Overlook

The Sketchiest Hike in the Catskills

This is the sketchiest hike I’ve done in The Catskills — and the most fun

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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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rock ledge at the edge of a forest

Poets Ledge

This route to Poets Ledge on Kaaterskill High peak is very steep but very rewarding.

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hiker in summer forest

Mombaccus & Ashokan High Point

This steep, difficult double-peak hike is so rewarding on so many levels.

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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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scenic catskills view

7 Amazing Scenic Catskills Views You Don’t Know

The best scenic Catskills views? Often, they’re not the ones you'll find in any guidebook.

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front of rusty old school bus

Secret Hike: Bushwhack Easter Egg

A bushwhack side-quest leads to an incongruous object…

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snow-covered summit with rock cairn and signposts

Race Brook Falls & Mount Everett

This rugged route passes along the bottom of Race Brook Falls, then climbs through beautiful forest to a scenic lookout beyond the summit of Mount Everett.

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small waterfall, long exposure

Secret Hike: Winter Views, Giant Quarry, Waterfalls, Ruins

I had no idea what I’d find on this unsung trail. I was blown away.

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Patreon logo

Patreon vs Amazon

I currently use Amazon affiliate links on this site, in my email newsletter, and sometimes on my @TotalCatskills story feed on Instagram. Patreon may offer a way out of that compromise.

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scenic Mountain View

Plateau & Daley Ridge Lookout

This is the quickest route to Plateau Mountain’s summit. A side-hike down Daley Ridge brings you to a second amazing scenic lookout.

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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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