The two Catskill 4Ks are not hard hikes on their shortest trails. Hunter is a 4.5 mile round trip, 2200' total elevation gain using the Becker Hollow trail. There is a nice view opposite the top of the Becker Hollow trail (short unmarked path), and from there it is a short hike on the Spruceton Trail to the fire tower at the summit. A step up rock at the southwestern edge of the tower clearing is the accepted summit, and has the 4040' elevation engraved in the rock.
Slide is a 5.5 mile round trip, 1800' climb from County Route 47 (south of State Route 28). There are viewpoints just before and after the summit. A return trip using the Curtis-Ormsbee trail adds about 1.1 mile on the return if you want a little variety and another viewpoint on the way out.
Other good peaks in the northern Catskills are the Blackhead Range, or one or two mountains on the Devil's Path (Westkill, Plateau, Sugarloaf, Twin, and Indian Head). Windham High Peak is also an easy short hike if you are pressed for time.
A couple of online references for Catskill Hikes:
- Catskill Guide Click on one of the 7 sections. There are line maps and trail descriptions of almost all of the marked Catskill trails.
- Local Hikes (Albany area) See the section "Hikes outside the metro area...", many of these are in the Catskills. There are topo maps, profiles, pictures of each hike (buttons on the left on the individual hike pages).
The best Catskill Trail maps (with trail descriptions on the back of each tyvek map) are published by the
New York / New Jersey Trail Conference. The
AMC Catskill Mountain Guide is the most up-to-date guide and also includes a paper trail map. You should be able to find them in many book or outdoor supply stores. Note the NYNJTC website has been up and down this morning, so the links may not be working when you try them, but they should resolve later.
