Plateau/Sugarloaf Catskills

[Motabobo]

Hi there !

I just "found" what seems to be a trail from the north that goes in the col between Plateau and Sugarloaf :

MAP

Has anyone try it before ? What does it look like, where do we park etc...I didn't find anything on it, there must be a reason huh ?

Thanks

 

[Jay H]

Yes, that is an unmaintained trail that leads to Mink Hollow (between Plateau and Sugarloaf). It's the fastest and easiest way off the mtn for that section. The trail that leads south from Mink Hollow is longer as well as the trail that leads back to the Roaring Kill parking area is longer.

You can get there by pretty much:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...2.160222,-74.149904&spn=0.014093,0.04137&om=1

Heck, that is easier.. Look for Mink Hollow Road.. You can get there by going to Tannersville, NY via Rt 23A and then going south on CR16 (at the stop light in tannersville (ice cream shop on the far left corner)). Follow CR16 til you see Elka Park road on the right at the corner. Then make the right onto Mink Hollow Road and take that all the way to the end and park.

The trail to Mink Hollow is obvious and fairly easy to follow. Compass to the south works in a backup. There's one stream to cross which might be hard to do in spring but is piece of cake for the most part. It's kind of a wide road after the first 50 yards from the road.

It's also very easy to make the right onto Park Road before Mink Hollow. I know I have done it, Mcorsar has done it, there is even an informal sign that says "trail" or something there.. Don't be fooled!

Also, CR16 can be odd to follow south of Rt 23A:

CR16 is also known as Railroad Ave, which becomes Spruce St which turns into Platte Clove Road. At the intersection of Railroad ave and S. Main St, it's a big open intersection with no sign, just need to somewhat bear right to continue to Spruce St..

 

[Rivet]

I think you are looking at the extension of Mink Hollow road, which passes over the col and down the other side.

I think the Northern end was "abandonned" because parking was an issue. It's still shown on the NYNJTC maps though.

Unless, you are looking at the private trail from Elka Park over Spruce Top and on up to Plateau.

 

[Mark Schaefer]

You found the original Mink Hollow Trail which was in use before the trail was relocated to the Roaring Kill parking area about 1998. It is still 100% legal and acceptable to hike the old trail. There is a large parking area at the end of Mink Hollow Road just after the start of state land. On your drive to the p.a. there are several private roads that go into the Elka Park Club which you need to avoid.

The old trail does provide the shortest access to both the Sugarloaf and Plateau summits. The route is an old road that is easy to follow even though it is no longer marked. There is a stream crossing a short distance from the p.a. With all of the current rain it may be a bit difficult, but normally it is no problem. Mid August through early September there is an abundant supply of blackberries between the p.a. and the stream crossing.

Lack of parking had been a problem at the original trailhead of the Pecoy Notch trail. That was the incentive for the new Roaring Kill parking area. The Mink Hollow trail was also rerouted at the same time to create a loop hike over Sugarloaf. Parking had not been a problem at the old Mink Hollow trail in recent years after the Mink Hollow Road was improved and the state acquired additional land in the Hollow. The road improvement and the large p.a. make the original Mink Hollow trail an attractive alternative.

 

[Motabobo]

Thanks all for your answers !

Last point though, could someone pinpoint me the approx location of the parking lot and start of the trail on topozone (or maybe GPS coords ?).

I gather the brook crossing is difficult...dangerous or only difficult ? We sometimes bring sandals for difficult crossings. Dangerous crossings are when they are 3 feet deep. Please clarify

 

[Jay H]

Using your topozone link, the coordinates would be:
42° 08' 41"N, 74° 09' 22"W (WGS84/NAD83). However, the topozone map might not match reality exactly, however, once you find Mink Hollow Road, just drive to the end of it.

The trail starts right where the road ends (at the turnaround).
It's fairly obvious as Mark mentions it used to be a road.

I believe it was a road popular with tanneries and the way to get the bark to the tannerys from the woodstock area to the tanneries around Tannersville. I'm sure Mark would know

I don't think the stream crossing would be dangerous at this point, even with the rains although there may not be a dry way across it, unless you want to bushwack around it (look at your topozone link, you should be able to simply bushwack parallel to the stream although you'll have to deal with pickerbushs and perhaps nettles?

It might be prudent to bring some sandals though because with the rains, the streams are probably overflowing and the rocks would be hidden. At least that's my 2 cents.

Jay

 

[Tom Rankin]

Thanks all for your answers !

Last point though, could someone pinpoint me the approx location of the parking lot and start of the trail on topozone (or maybe GPS coords ?).

I gather the brook crossing is difficult...dangerous or only difficult ? We sometimes bring sandals for difficult crossings. Dangerous crossings are when they are 3 feet deep. Please clarify

Right about here:

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18&n=4666210&e=569735&size=l&datum=nad83

Difficult, not dangerous.

 

[Mark Schaefer]

Many streams in the Catskills are currently running high from about 3-5" of rain. Some roads are temporarily impassable including Route 23A in the Kaaterskill Clove (from mud slides). That road had just recently reopened (had been closed for repaving). Here is a picture of the Elka Park Road bridge over the Schoharie Creek which you would pass on the way to Mink Hollow. This about 2 miles downstream from where the Roaring Kill flows into the Schoharie Creek, and another two miles downstream from where the old trail crosses the Roaring Kill. The picture will likely no longer be on the web tomorrow.

The stream crossing on the old Mink Hollow trail is not far from the source of the stream, so it never gets dangerous from deep water. The water should also recede rapidly once the rain stops.

I believe it was a road popular with tanneries and the way to get the bark to the tannerys from the woodstock area to the tanneries around Tannersville. I'm sure Mark would know

The "Schoharie Road" through the Mink Hollow notch was constructed in 1783, funded by a group of merchants in Kingston to create a western trade route. The road probably reached its peak usage by the tanneries during 1802-1823, but its usage declined as other roads were built.