Westkill from the west

[Adk_dib]

I finally finished the devils path! The register is about 50 feet up from the parking lot and as usual I could not sign in becasue there were no pencils.
after the register it is about another 50 feet before trail levels off. So get your legs warmed up. The trail actually goes down slightly for another 15 minutes before it turns and starts to go up gradually. The trail switchbacks in most places so there are no long steep climbs. At about 3400 feet you reach a nice level area to get your breath before the final accent. Here is where I got confused. It started going down, alot? I almost turned around becasue I thought it was a spur trail going down to a road or another trail. Problem is, there is no other road or another trail in that area. The trail was clearly marked with red disks so it must be right. You go down for 200 feet. At 3400 feet I was expecting a 400 foot climb to the summit. So be prepaired to double that. You go down 200 feet and then back up 600 feet. Add the 200 feet coming back and that makes 800. Good thing the trail is clearly marked with red disks. I almost followed a couple of the small brooks that looked like a trail.

 

[rhihn]

We've done that climb several times, most recently about a week ago. Yes, that notorious dip and climb is frustrating, but the viewing ledges make it worth the climb!

 

[Tom Rankin]

We've done that climb several times, most recently about a week ago. Yes, that notorious dip and climb is frustrating, but the viewing ledges make it worth the climb!

I believe you two are referring to West Westkill or St. Anne's peak. It's on the map!

 

[Mark Schaefer]

Yup, it is St Anne's Peak, a.k.a. Piss Me Off Peak (dubbed by a Devil's Path in a day hiker who is also a member of this hiking board).

So you also now have a start on the Catskill Hundred Highest list.

I agree that it is a good thing that the trail is well marked as it is one one those lesser used trail sections in the Catskills, although it is a favorite of mine.

In late July and early August St Anne's Peak has a nice but small supply of raspberries along the trail which have never pissed me off.

 

[Tom Rankin]

So you also now have a start on the Catskill Hundred Highest list.

The other incidental CHH many people get is Giant's Ledge, on the way to Panther, although the true summit requires just a wee bit of whacking.