catskill/slide loop

[Adk_dib]

I am doing the wittenburg-slide loop on aug 7th. Anything I should know. I herd there are a few rock ledges that are difficult. also i read that there are a few springs along the trail for water. a couple on either side of wittenburg, and one just before slide summit. Are these well marked. It is a long loop and I dont want to have to haul a load of water with me. Also, I will be arriving at mid afternoon on the 6th to stay overnight at the campground. I will have some spare time before going to bed, and was wondering if there are any short trails with waterfalls in that area. I dont want to do anything to strenuous the day before.

 

[IndianChris]

Nothin' anyone with 57 posts can't handle. What's you route? Wittenburg to Slide and back the same way in one day? That's a hike that'll help you sleep good that night. It's not really a loop unless you're coming back on the road. It's more like one way in, same way out.

I don't recall seeing any springs myself but I do remember reading about them.

It's a great hike.

 

[Rob S]

Actually, a loop trip is possible, but I've never done it. We've only done the trip as an end-to-end which requires the spotting of cars. Anyway, check here for more information on doing the loop.

There is water coming out of a pipe one the east side of Slide. I can't remember exactly where it is, but I believe the ADK guidebook gives you details. During a drought, the spring may run dry. It was just barely a trickle 2 years ago during a very dry summer. Last year, however, it was flowing well. Also, I recall reading that there is a spring not too far off the trail in the col between Cornell and Slide. I cannot remember the water sources on Wittenburg probably because I never used them as we've always done this hike starting on Wittenburg and finishing on Slide.

As far as the difficulty of the rock ledges, I guess that depends on your experience, but I doubt you'll have any problem. There a few good scrambles, some would be tricky in the winter, but nothing particularly difficult in the summer. I've never done this hike in wet weather, so the normal caution would apply if the rocks are wet & slippery.

Have fun, and bring your camera!

Rob

 

[Artex]

I've done the loop a few times. You're in for a real treat!

As for waterfalls at the campground, you may find a few, since the Wooden Valley campground is right on a small river. I haven't explored much in either direction though, but it runs swift and it's sound will no doubt lull you into a restful sleep.

Springs are pretty unreliable, in my experiences. But a good place to camp is at the col between Cornell and Slide, and you can find water near here. Several designated spots along here, all of them primitive (no outhouses).. and excellent spots. If you camp there and the springs are dry, you can bushwack down to the Neversink River. One time a couple of years ago, we went in the middle of a looooooong drought. All the springs were bone dry. We bushwacked down and found the empty river bed near the beginning of the Neversink. We went down about 1/2 mile from the trail, and found trickling water that was suitable for filtering. Of course, exercise much caution when bushwacking down the face, Map and compass skills are a good thing to have if you're going to do it.

As for the steeper sections.. yes there are a few tricky scrambles. If you don't feel comfortable with any of them, just have some rope handy.. take your pack off, climb up, and then haul your pack up. That'll make it easier.

Best of luck, and have a great time! Though I'm sure you will.

 

[woodstrider]

Slide Wittenberg loop

I am very familar with this trail and loop. It is a beautiful trail and the views from Wittenberg are some of the best on a clear day.

As to doing this as a loop hike- many people do this. And the options have been outlined in previous posts. Just one thing to stress is that when you walk around Winnisock Lake on Rt. 47, ouu can pick up an old woods road that takes you to the intersection of the Phoenicia East Branch Trail and the Panther/Giant's Ledge Trails. There is an easement over Winnisock property, but it is not marked on the road. But you will see a road with a private property sign north of the lake, not the one that goes straight up th hill, but more level. The sign for the easement is further along on public land.

The springs are seasonal, but usually the one on Slide is usually good in all but the most severe draught.

Cheers

 

[Mark Schaefer]

The loop is definitely doable on a day hike. Most people do it clockwise: Wittenberg, Cornell, Slide. Once you reach Slide you would have a 7 mile, 800' elevation climb return over Cornell and Wittenberg. Or if you do the loop using the easement path mentioned above it is an 8 mile, 600' elevation climb return. So it is pretty much a wash which would be the easier return to Woodland Valley. If you do not use the easement path on the loop you would have an extra 500' climb. So if you do the loop it is best to use the easement. The easement path is well trodden - it was the original trail, but there was not adequate parking to have the trailhead at Winnisook Lake.

There are some ledges on the final approach to Wittenberg that some people find difficult in winter. You might need to give your dog a lift up there. On the final climb up Slide there are a couple ladders, but they are not overly steep and most dogs do not have a problem going up. I think dogs would have an easier time doing the loop clockwise, so they would not need to go down the ladders nor descend the ledges on the Wittenberg. The Catskills have been very dry over the last month. If that trend continues the springs will not be overly reliable.

I do not know of any waterfalls in the Woodland Valley, however, the stream is attractive and a walk along it in the campground may be nice. Also there are the Railroad Rapids on the Esopus Creek just east of the Woodland Valley bridge. There is space for parking on the south side of the creek just east of the bridge, and a path along the Esopus. It is an area where kayak races are held during high water and during releases of water from the Schoharie Reservoir.

 

[Halite]

This is one of my favorite hikes in the Catskills, even with the short road walk required.

As far as springs, you may want to ask the rangers at the campsite what they've heard about how the springs are running. In August, If you are climbing from Woodland Valley to Wittenburg, don't count on any water until the spring on the side of Slide. This one is pretty reliable in all but the driest of years. It's easy to find off the right of the trail ascending Slide immediately before you start climbing the wooden stairs. If that one is not running, there is another on the other side of Slide a short distance after you turn right at the T intersection with the Phoenicia East Branch trail. I found this one running even when all the others were dry a couple of years ago in August.