devils path, catskills?

[Adk_dib]

I want to hike the catskills more this year. I was looking through my book for the trail to west kill mtn, and saw a trail called devils path. A couple pages later saw the same trail for hunter mountain. how long is the devils path? does it cut across the catskills? also for hunter mtn, what is the best trail to take? I see "spruceton trail", "becker hollow trail", a trail from devils tombstone campground and "devils path" from diamond notch falls.

 

[Jay H]

Do a search here, there is perhaps in the archives a nice long thread on the Devil's Path, including profiles and a bunch of time splits. I organized a group to do the Devil's Path last year as a dayhike so there is a thread with a lot of pages in it. More than you might care to know. Get the NYNJTC catkill map and that will also answer all your questions about Hunter Mtn.

http://www.nynjtc.com/store/nonmember/itm00019.htm

I believe the TC is coming out with a new version of the catskill maps but from what I hear, just a heads up.

FYI, the Devil's path is 24.6 miles long and goes over West Kill and doesn't go over the summit of Hunter, though you could make a sidetrip to go there. As you mentioned, Becker Hollow, Spruceton, Devil's Tombstone (part of the Devil's Path) can get you to the firetower and the summit of Hunter Mtn.

Jay

 

[JimB]

adk dib, the trail from Devil's Tombstone and the Diamond Notch approach to Hunter are both a part of th DP. The Spruceton trail is an old jeep road and is probably the easiest approach. Do a search on here and you might find some info about the DTDHTDP hike last year(Dare to Dayhike the Devil's Path). The DP is about 23 miles long and has about 9000 ft of climbing(and descending ) as it passes over Indian Head, Sugarloaf, Plateau, Twin, Westkill and a shoulder of Hunter. Any of the mts in this area are nice hikes with pretty good views. Jay outtyped me

 

[askus3]

Catskill Trails

For a lengthy traverse of the Catskills (S-->N), follow the Long Path from north of Sundown on the east side of Peekamoose all the way past Windham (NY 23). Other than a 6 mile road walk from Woodland Valley to east of Phoenicia this is a great hike thru the Catskills. It includes 10 - 3500 footers plus with little excursions 2 other peaks over 3500.

 

[Mark Schaefer]

The other guys have already answered the Devil's Path questions. I agree you will want the NYNJTC map set Jay mentioned. Until you obtain them here are 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, several on the Devil's Path. There are topo maps and profiles for each hike (buttons on the left on the individual hike pages).

 

[Adk_dib]

thanks Mark, that second link is awsome. has more information than my book.

 

[dr_wu002]

Do a search here, there is perhaps in the archives a nice long thread on the Devil's Path, including profiles and a bunch of time splits. I organized a group to do the Devil's Path last year as a dayhike so there is a thread with a lot of pages in it. More than you might care to know. Get the NYNJTC catkill map and that will also answer all your questions about Hunter Mtn.

http://www.nynjtc.com/store/nonmember/itm00019.htm

I believe the TC is coming out with a new version of the catskill maps but from what I hear, just a heads up.
Jay

Jay: I'm going to buy the catskill map from this site. My question is this - I'd like to get the guide book that comes with the map. Is the map that comes with the guide weatherproofed? The WMG maps that come with the book are not weatherproofed and you need to buy the ones that are seperate!

-Dr. Wu

 

[Mark Schaefer]

Dr. Wu, If you are referring to this book/map combo, then the answer to your question is Yes. The maps are water proof, tear resistant, printed on Tyvek (as are all NYNJTC maps). They come in a plastic, zip-lock package, for extra protection while hiking. This combo is not really "a set". They are from different publishers, but sold together at a reduced price. The book in this combo is the ADK (Adirondack Club) Catskill guide, and the maps are the NYNJTC 5 map set.

I should mention that the ADK guide book is scheduled to be updated late this year, and as Jay mentioned the maps (currently a 2001 edition), seem to be due for an update, but I have not heard any scheduled date. But if you need maps and book now you will still get your money's worth IMHO.

 

[Jay H]

I have an old (1998 or so) catskill maps, but when I bought my sister the 2001 maps, I scoured them to see if there were any major changes. Not much, probably the biggest is a reroute of the LP. But I also have the ADK-Catskill book which by itself, didn't come with a map. As Mark says, you can now buy that together.

The TC maps are waterproof and you can still use a pen to mark things like I have.

The only significant weakness is with the intervals. 100ft intervals on the topo which is mostly fine except for a couple of bushwacks where it's a minor inconvenience

Jay

 

[snowshoe]

For the most updated guide book get the one made by the AMC. It is the most updated and very nicely done. The non waterproof map that comes with the guide is good only for a reference. It does not lable springs, parking views etc... The Map set made by the NYNJ TC is the best. It has everything you need to know from parking to view points.