Giant Ledge vs. Slide Mountain Overnight Parking

[Keep Walking]

I'm preparing for an overnight hike tomorrow of the Burroughs Range Loop with a spur to Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain. The plan is to either start a the Slide Mountain Parking or Giant Ledge Parking and hike east, do the spur to Giant Ledge and Panther and then keep going to Woodland Valley. Spend the night there, and the next day to go west to Cornell, Wittenberg, Slide and back to the car.

My question is:

Where do you think it's safer to park my car overnight? Giant Ledge or Slide Mountain parking? It's a new car and I don't know if I should worry about leaving it there overnight. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Tom Rankin]

I'm preparing for an overnight hike tomorrow of the Burroughs Range Loop with a spur to Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain. The plan is to either start a the Slide Mountain Parking or Giant Ledge Parking and hike east, do the spur to Giant Ledge and Panther and then keep going to Woodland Valley. Spend the night there, and the next day to go west to Cornell, Wittenberg, Slide and back to the car.

My question is:

Where do you think it's safer to park my car overnight? Giant Ledge or Slide Mountain parking? It's a new car and I don't know if I should worry about leaving it there overnight. Any advice is appreciated.

Slide is a little more off the road, whereas Panther is right along the highway. Make sure you keep any valuables out of sight. Crime at Catskill parking lots is rare, but does happen once in a while. It's usually a person who goes on a mini crime spree, gets caught, and then it stops for a while. FWIW, I have not heard of any incidents lately.

 

[Peakbagr]

You're probably safe at either, but as Tom mentioned, the Panther parking area at the hairpin turn is right on a busy road. Slide Mt lot is not readily viewable by people just driving by.
Have fun.

 

[Keep Walking]

This will probably sound stupid, but I assume that both of you are suggesting that it's better to park in Panther because there's more traffic and it would deter potential thieves?

Or is it that I should park at Slide because you're out of view and this out of sight.

Again, I'm sorry if this all sounds stupid, but I'm confused.

 

[Tom Rankin]

This will probably sound stupid, but I assume that both of you are suggesting that it's better to park in Panther because there's more traffic and it would deter potential thieves?

Or is it that I should park at Slide because you're out of view and this out of sight.

Again, I'm sorry if this all sounds stupid, but I'm confused.

I'm saying if parking safety is the issue, Slide is the slightly better choice.

 

[Keep Walking]

I'm saying if parking safety is the issue, Slide is the slightly better choice.

Thanks! Slide it will be, then.

BTW, I've heard that there's an unmaintained trail on the right off of winisook lake an that it's best to take this on my way from slide parking to Panther. Is this the case? Also, is it legal to take this trail?

Thanks again! I'm a newbie to hiking and the help here is incredibly useful.

 

[Peakbagr]

If a breakin is your concern, IMO you're better off in very plain sight at the Panther TH, but OK in either.

DEC has a right of way on an old woods road that you're referring to, and it passes Winnisook Lake and intersects with the trail to Panther that comes up from the hairpin turn. It's shady, quiet, in great shape and you are unlikely to run into anyone until hitting the Panther intersection. If dayhiking, you can also pick up this trail by driving uphill from the Panther T/H, watching for DEC land signs on the left side of the road. Just before the first private property sign, this time of year there is room to pull completely onto the shoulder of the road and park. A 5 min uphill bushwhack and you intersect the above woods road where you'd take a left towards Panther.
A couple of notes - While you can walk CR47 or be dropped off at the Winnisook Lake Club, it is private and you may not park at or near by. The Panther right of way route is described on pp 57-58 and shown on a map on pg46 in The Catskill 67.
While passing over the summit of Giant Ledge, one of the Catskill hundred highest, its actual top is 5 min through the woods away from the cliff viewpoint.

 

[Keep Walking]

Thanks, guys. Parked at Slide. Hike was a success. Just posted a trip report. Again, thanks!