At 3,652 feet tall, Kaaterskill High Peak is one the Catskill 3500 peaks, and while it does have some trails and routes on it, it is considered one of the trailless 3500 peaks because there is no official marked trail to the summit. It also tends to be one of the muddier mountains in the Catskills. All of the approach trails have significant muddy sections, as do most of the bushwhack routes. Along with the mud, also comes stinging nettles, which grow in abundance on the mid-slopes of the mountain.

For this hike we began at Gillespie Road, which branches off of Clum Hill Road. Gillespie Road ends at a turnaround on NYCDEP property. The property is open to hiking without a permit. From the end of Gillespie Road, we bushwhacked more or less on a north bearing to the snowmobile trail that encircles (but doesn't climb) both Round Top and Kaaterskill High Peak.

When we reached the snowmobile trail, we followed it so we were on the southern side of Round Top and High Peak. This section of trail isn’t often used by hikers (only snowmobiles in the winter), so the trail maintenance was lacking and there were a ton of nettles growing everywhere. We followed the snowmobile trail for a while, but then took off bushwhacking again up to the notch between the two peaks, if only to get out of the muddy area with so many nettles. From the notch between Round Top and Kaaterskill High Peak, we ascended up the western side of Kaaterskill High Peak.

Just below the summit we enjoyed the views from Hurricane Ledge, signed in at the summit canister, and then headed down what is a very easy to follow unmarked trail that descends from the summit, down the north side of Kaaterskill High Peak to the snowmobile trail. This unmarked trail isn’t hard to follow, but it does have some steep, rocky sections that are especially difficult in winter months because of ice. This time of the year it was just mud and rock.

From the junction of the unmarked trail with the snowmobile trail, we followed the snowmobile trail on the northern side of Round Top and Kaaterskill High Peak, back to where we had started the loop. From there, we dropped off the trail, and then bushwhacked back down to Gillespie Road.

The hike was a total of 7 miles and about 1500' of elevation gain. About half was bushwhacking, half of the remainder was on decently maintained trails, and the other half of that was on trails with very limited trail maintenance.

You can find more information about this hike on:

• Map 141 of the NYNJ Trail Conference's Catskill Trails Map Set

• National Geographics Trails Illustrated Map for the Catskill Park

Find additional information about the Catskill Park visit the Catskills Visitor Center.

Outdoor Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Guide Services:

Hike On Guides (hike with us!)

Gear we used on this hike:

• Osprey Talon 22 Pack

• Osprey Kestrel 38 Pack

• Altra Lone Peak Shoes

• Salomon Trail Runner Shoes

• Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Poles

• Darn Tough Socks

• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

• Energizer LED Headlamp

• NEMO Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Seat Pad