Questions about Indian Head Mt.

[Rob S]

Last weekend, I climbed Indian Head Mt (3573 ft.) in the Catskills. The previous time I did this hike, 5 or 6 years ago, it rained steady all day and there were no views. This time, however, the weather cooperated nicely and the views were awesome. Couple of questions ........ did there used to be a summit sign? Thought there was, but I may be thinking of another mountain. I normally take a picture of the summit sign or USGS marker or whatever seems to mark a summit. I checked the photo albums, but the pouring rain on the previous hike is to blame for only 4 pictures, none of which are summit pics. Also, where are the best vantage points for viewing the Indian profile? I took some pictures of Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf, and Plateau from a clearing along Platte Clove Road, but now I'm wondering where to best view the profile. I remember seeing good views of Indian Head from the trail going up Twin on another hike, but I don't think that is the view I'm looking for.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[rondak46]

I thought the....

...Indian head was viewed from the Hudson Valley, as if an Indian ( a big 'un to be sure) was creeping along, behind Platekill Mt. It is best seen on a genereally east-west line, crossing both summits. If the light isn't right or visibility is poor, it looks like one mountain.

Mike

 

[Mark Schaefer]

I first climbed Indian Head in 1974, and I have been up it over a dozen times since. I don't believe there has ever been a summit sign. In fact I cannot remember any of the trailed Catskill peaks having a summit sign since the time I completed the 3500 in 1974-1975. Generally the Catskill trails only have signs at the trailheads, junctions, and at the 3500' level where there is a "no camping sign". On Indian Head those no camping signs are very close to the summit.

As with many mountains the Indian Head profile requires some imagination. Mike is correct that it is best viewed from the Hudson Valley. For me it looks most like an Indian Head from the northeast, where you can see up through the Platte Clove, or far enough away from the eastern escarpment so that Indian Head is visible over Huckleberry Point. There is a good, but distant view from the south lawn of the Olana historic site on the east side of Hudson River.

There is a close up view of Indian Head from the Overlook Mt fire tower, and although it does have a scalloped appearance it does not look that much like an Indian Head from that perspective IMHO. Similarly the close view from Kaaterskill High Peak's Hurricane Ledge does not show the profile either.

 

[Rob S]

Thanks Mike and Mark.

Yeah, Mark, I went thru all my photo albums after this post and sure enough ..... the only summit signs were in the ADKs. Don't know why I thought some of the trailed Catskills peaks had signs.

On Windham High Peak, I found a USGS marker on the side of the trail which would be very easy to miss if one wasn't looking for it. I assumed this was the true summit marker, but maybe not.

Again, thanks for the information.

Rob

 

[funkyfreddy]

Yeah, Mark, I went thru all my photo albums after this post and sure enough ..... the only summit signs were in the ADKs. Don't know why I thought some of the trailed Catskills peaks had signs. Rob

Hi Rob, I believe there is a summit sign on West Kill, at least there was a few years ago.

 

[Bob Smith]

Fred, Your correct about the summit sign on Westkill and there is a summit sign on Blackhead also. Those are the only two I remember seeing.

 

[Rob S]

Yup, you guys really know your stuff.
I found a picture of the Westkill summit sign, but I don't seem to have a picture of the sign on Blackhead. Maybe because both times I've hiked this mountain it was raining. I really want to hike the Blackhead, Blackdome, & Thomas Cole route again because I've been robbed of all the great views.

 

[Jay H]

I remember the sign on West Kill, I did that in winter not long ago and remember seeing the sign there..

On some of the peaks in the ADKs, you can see nails on what used to be the sign...

Jay

 

[imarchant]

Yup, you guys really know your stuff.
I found a picture of the Westkill summit sign, but I don't seem to have a picture of the sign on Blackhead. Maybe because both times I've hiked this mountain it was raining. I really want to hike the Blackhead, Blackdome, & Thomas Cole route again because I've been robbed of all the great views.

There is a sign at the peak of Blackhead, but only because there is also a trail juction there. I have seen a few other signs at some of the other peaks, but most do not have signs. I can recall which at the moment.

There is an excellent view on the west approach of Thomas cole of Indian Head (and all the other devil's path peaks), but it is not the best indian profile. I also have a hard time imagining the indian.

 

[rondak46]

Specifically, the view I was talking about....

...is from Rt.9g near Clermont and Germantown. That is where Indian Head seems to poke its head up, from behind Platekill Mt.


Mike

 

[mink319]

...is from Rt.9g near Clermont and Germantown. That is where Indian Head seems to poke its head up, from behind Platekill Mt.


Mike

From the Rip Van Winkle Bridge is where Indian Head Mtn looks like a head. Almost anywhere in Columbia County has that view of Indian Head.[