Hunter Mountain, Catskills

May 6, 2012
Distance: 5.6 miles
Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
Map: Catskill Trails Map Set
Parking: See directions link
Restrooms: Outhouse on summit
Notes: Catskill 3500 footer
Post hike dinner: Garden Cafe on the Green, Woodstock
Directions: Hunter Mountain

This is supposed to be the shorted route to Hunter, but steeper than other routes.
The beginning of the hike was gentle & had a nice stream for the dogs.
There were some bugs by the stream, but they weren't bad at all.
Then the climbing began. It got steeper and steeper the higher we got.
The summit has a fire tower, small building, outhouse, and picnic table & the area is surrounded by small evergreens - very picturesque.
There are no views unless you climb the tower.
We met other hikers at the summit, and they threw sticks for the dogs.
There is a fabulous view further along the summit route - a ledge overlooking other peaks.
We saw our first porcupine on this hike - luckily the dogs escaped with no quills!

Register box at start of hike

Stone columns at the start of the trail

Moxie, chewing a stick in the wildflowers

In the first 1/2 mile, there were streams coming down the mountain across the trail

The trail splits at the summit loop. Sign for the trail going straight.

Sign for the trail going towards the right. We followed this one.

The trail passes a water pipe

Trek hiking through the fragrant evergreens on the summit loop.

Hunter fire tower

I'm not super fond of climbing up fire towers, but I did go half way up this one to get better views.
Looking down on short evergreens in the foreground, and sign for the outhouse on the right.

The trail we follow is behind the cabin and to the left.

The dogs tried to climb up too, but I didn't think it was a good idea. They were made to wait.
Glen chose not to climb.

We head to the left.

Large rock near the fire tower - looks like the perfect spot for lunch.

Ledge beyond the fire tower has a great view

Route back to trailhead

Year to date miles: 136.3