Hiking the Blackheads/Escarpment Trail Horseshoe in the Catskills
The Blackheads and Escarpment Trail Horseshoe Hike is a roughly 14.5 mile hike from the trailhead on Elmer Barnum Road, across the Blackhead Range, to the intersection with the Escarpment Trail and then north on the Escarpment Trail over Windham High Peak to the trailhead on Route 23 in Windham.
Along the way you'll climb up and over Cadual, Camel's Hump, Thomas Cole, Black Dome, Blackhead, Acra Point, Burnt Knob, and Windham High Peak. Four of the peaks (Thomas Cole, Black Dome, Blackhead, and Windham High Peak) are part of the Catskill 3500 challenge.
This is a challenging and difficult hike with very rough terrain, high mileage, and very few water sources along the way. You'll hike 14.5 miles and climb more than 4,000 feet along the way.
Trail Guide: To do the hike as we present it in the video, you’ll need two cars or a shuttle to get between the two trailheads. The hike begins at the trailhead at the end of Elmer Barnum Road, which does not have an official parking area and limited parking - be sure you aren’t blocking the driveways at the end of the road. From the trailhead the trail begins climbing on an old road and follows that old road across private property until it reaches public lands and then takes a sharp left to begin the climb up Cadual. There’s a trail register (sign in!) and then the trail climbs, including one steep section through some rock ledges before reaching the summit of Cadual.
The trail then drops slightly and begins climbing up Camel’s Hump. There are views of Thomas Cole, the surrounding mountains and the Hudson Valley to the north at the summit of Camel’s Hump. From there the trail drops slightly and then begins a slow ascent to Thomas Cole, steepening as you get closer to the summit. After the summit of Thomas Cole, the trail drops down to the notch between Thomas Cole Mountain and Black Dome Mountain and then begins to climb up Black Dome. Just before the true summit of Black Dome, there’s a limited view on a side trail to your right. After the summit the trail begins to drop steeply and you’ll come to a viewpoint just before the steepest sections. The trail goes down to Lockwood Gap between Black Dome Mountain and Blackhead Mountain. In the Gap there’s a trail junction and you’ll continue straight ahead, climbing steeply to the summit of Blackhead Mountain. About 3/4 of the way up Blackhead the trail goes through an open area, offering great views looking back at Black Dome Mountain.
From the summit of Blackhead Mountain the trail descends steeply to the trail junction with the Batavia Kill Trail. From here you’ll continue straight ahead, to the summit of Acra Point and the view just beyond the summit, then Burnt Knob, and two unnamed bumps, and then you’ll begin climbing Windham High Peak. None of the climbs are particularly steep, but after all the hiking so far, they do tend to wear you down. From the summit of Windham High Peak, you’ll begin descending, passing by the Elm Ridge Lean-to and coming out to the trailhead on State Route 23.
For More Information
You can find out more about this this hike here:
Additional Catskill Park information is available at the Catskills Visitor Center (5096 Route 28 in Mt. Tremper) On the Web, Facebook, and Instagram.
Hike On Guides: Need help on a hike like this? Moe is a NYS licensed hiking and backpacking guide. You can hire him for Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Guide Services at Hike On Guides for hikes in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
Our Hiking Advice and Hiking Gear Recommendations
Gear we used on this hike:
Some product links are affiliate links and we earn from qualifying purchases. Others are links through the Amazon Influencer program and as an Amazon Influencer, we earn from qualifying purchases. Still others, we just want you to know about some good gear we enjoy!
Important Hiking Considerations:
Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions.
Safety: Some sections of the trail can be steep and rocky, so use caution and watch your footing.
Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.
