On the 23.9 mile Escarpment Trail, which rides a thin lip of stone above the picturesque Hudson River Valley, it can truly be said that a hike imitates art. These are the fabled mountains where Rip Van Winkle slept.

Rip Van Winkle Hollow, at the south end of the Escarpment Trail, is where legend holds that the drowsy Dutchman dozed undisturbed for 20 years. Artists and Sunset Rocks above North Lake, also along the Escarpment Trail, are where nineteenth century artists Thomas Cole and Frederick Church found inspiration for masterworks that now hang in the world's leading museums.

From a hiker's perspective, the Escarpment Trail is challenging terrain and ever-changing scenery: mixed hardwood forests, dark hemlock groves beside swift-flowing creeks, hardscrabble pitch pine at southern-facing outcrops, and a spruce-fir cap on the higher peaks. The Escarpment Trail forms a link in the 340 mile Long Path.

The Escarpment Trail can be hiked end to end in a weekend, or you can fashion a three-day out-and-back of 30 miles that includes loops at each end. Pad your hiking schedule, though, because Catskill miles are not regular miles. The soft sediments underlying these ancient mountains were carved vengefully by glaciers some 22,000 years ago, creating elevation changes both sudden and steep. Around here, it's not the elevation extremes that count, but the cumulative gain in between.

Also, allow extra time to come down off the high ridge, and fill up water bottles at perennial springs in nearby coves (the Escarpment is bone-dry). Then there's the irresistible temptation to sidetrack across the Blackhead Mountains to summit Black Dome and Thomas Cole Mountain. From these and other vantage points, you can make out the southern Adirondacks and Green Mountains, the Berkshires and Taconics, the Hudson Highlands around West Point, and the chalky white Shawangunks.

Trail Information: The blue marked Escarpment Trail is 23.9 miles long and makes for a great 3 day backpacking trip or the trail can be hiked in a really long day trip or taken in parts. The trail traverses some of the Catskill Mountains most scenic territory. It is 3940 feet at its highest point on the summit of Blackhead Mountain. It crosses seven summits over 3000 feet on some of the most rugged terrain in these mountains. The North Lake area to North Point is full of history as it was the birthplace of hiking in the Catskills.

Camping: The Escarpment Trail provides the backpacker with excellent camping opportunities. Note that at-large camping is NOT allowed in the North Lake area (see guide books). One may camp at-large after North Mountain. In the North Lake area one may camp at the North Lake State Camp Ground. Camping at-large is permitted 150 feet away from a trail, water source or road after North Mountain below 3,500 feet.

There are two Lean-tos along the trail, but these are in the northern section. The Batavia Kill Lean-to is located at the 14.6 mile point on the trail (lean-to is 0.25 miles on the Batavia Kill Trail). The Elm Ridge Lean-to is located at the 22.0 mile point about 0.1 mile to left of the trail.

Special Regulations: No Camping on the trail before North Mountain except at the North Lake State Camp Ground.

Considerations: At higher elevations water is scarce. Be ready to drop down and find reliable water at lower elevations. No camping anywhere above 3500' Except in an emergency or between December 21 and March 21.

contact CNY HIKING by email at contact@cnyhiking.com

(c) 2006-today CNY Hiking - All rights reserved.  Any use of information from this site without permission is strictly forbidden.