Catskill 3500 Series - Windham High Peak


Details
Join the Backwoods Adventurers on a 6.25 mile ascent up Windham High Peak.
Total Mileage: 6.25 miles
Total Elevation Gain: 1,750 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Hike Time: @ 4-6 hours
Pace: It will be an easy-going pace (@ 1.5 miles/hr. at most)
Trailhead coordinates: 42.296441,-74.169152
Driving Directions (from NYC):
Take the I-87 North to Exit 20 (Saugerties). Turn left onto Routes 212/32 and cross over the Thruway. At the first traffic light, turn right onto Route 32 North. In 6.0 miles, continue straight ahead onto Route 32A, as Route 32 turns right. In 1.9 miles, turn left onto Route 23A, which climbs through Kaaterskill Clove to reach the villages of Haines Falls and Tannersville. After passing through Tannersville, turn right at a traffic light onto Hill Street (County Route 23C). Follow Route 23C for 6.1 miles, and turn right onto Maplecrest Road (County Route 40) (there is a large American flag on the left at this intersection). Continue on Maplecrest Road for 1.9 miles to the hamlet of Maplecrest (at the base of a steep descent), and turn right onto Big Hollow Road. In 1.8 miles, turn left onto Peck Road, and follow it to the parking area at the end of the road.
Hike Description:
From the parking area, proceed north on the yellow-blazed Elm Ridge Trail, an old woods road that is often quite wet (short bypass trails have been built around some of the wettest sections). In 0.6 mile, you'll pass a spring, after which the trail starts to climb. Soon, you'll pass interesting cliffs to the right and reach a junction with the blue-blazed Escarpment Trail at the crest of the rise. Turn right onto the Escarpment Trail. In a short distance, you'll notice the Elm Ridge Lean-to on the right.
Proceed on the Escarpment Trail, which begins to climb the mountain more steeply. Soon, you'll enter a dark, dense Norway spruce forest, with the tree roots spreading over the trail.
After climbing a little more, the trail levels off for a short stretch. It soon resumes a gradual climb, with views to the right through the trees over the Blackhead Range. About 2.5 miles into the hike, the trail bears left and begins to climb quite steeply. This section is the steepest of the entire climb.
As you approach the summit, a side trail to the right leads to a panoramic viewpoint over the Blackhead Range from a rock ledge. Just beyond, on the left side of the trail, there is a panoramic viewpoint to the northwest.
Continue ahead on the Escarpment Trail, which climbs a little to the actual summit. Proceed ahead a short distance beyond the summit, descending a little, and you'll soon notice an open rock ledge on the left.
After taking in the views retrace your steps on the Escarpment Trail down to the junction with the Elm Ridge Trail, turn left onto the Elm Ridge Trail, and follow it back to the parking area where the hike began.
Carpooling: Parking is limited at the trailhead. Please seek out carpooling opportunities via the comments section. Car drivers: PLEASE COMMENT BELOW if you have spots in your car available. Otherwise, you can coordinate car rental and divvy up rental/gas/toll costs.
Afterwards:
TBD
Important Note: Be certain to check this page and your email prior to the hike for any last-minute changes or cancellations due to weather, etc.
Disclaimer: You agree when you sign up that you are responsible for your own preparedness and well-being and will hold no one else liable in case of injury or mishap. You agree not to hold the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, or any other members responsible for any injuries, mishaps, or any other situation that may happen at a planned event. Your attendance to an event signifies that you have read and accept the terms of this liability waiver. The complete liability waiver can be found on the PAGES section of this meetup site.
See suggestions for GEAR on the "About" page for additional gear ideas.

Catskill 3500 Series - Windham High Peak