Hike: Summer Solstice Hike | Hunter Mountain | Catskill Park, NY | June 21, 2018
The Summer Solstice comes but once a year, so what better time for a sunrise hike in the Catskills? Hunter Mountain, at 4039' is the second tallest peak in the Catskills, and is also home to one of the five fire towers of the Catskill Park. The tower offers the perfect 360-degree view of the mountains and it struck us, as the perfect place to catch the first sun rays of the 2018 summer!
The quickest and most direct route to the summit and to the fire tower is via the Becker Hollow Trail. In just over 2 miles, this trail climbs 2,220' from Route 214 to the summit of Hunter Mountain. The majority of that ascent occurs in about 1.25 miles, after a relatively easy .75 mile walk to the base of the hollow. Given that we needed to be on the summit for the 5:19 sunrise, it seemed like the natural choice for ascent.
We pulled into the Becker Hollow Trailhead on Route 214 at about 3:40am and hit the trail shortly thereafter. It was before dawn had even started to break, so headlamps were a must as we started making our way into the woods. As the hike progressed, we could see the eastern horizon beginning to light up and the forest woke up around us. It wasn't until we were about 3/4 of the way up that we could turn off the headlamps and walk with the dawn light.
By the time we reached the trail junction with the yellow trail, the clouds on the horizon were lighting up in reds and oranges and we knew that the sunrise was coming. After a quick breather following the climb, we headed to the right on the yellow trail to give us the quickest and most direct access to the fire tower.
We arrived at the fire tower at about 5:05 am and could see that clouds and the horizon were brightening as the sun was about to make its appearance for the first day of summer.
We made our way up the fire tower, to the highest landing below the fire tower cab (the enclosed cabin at the top) to get the best view of the sunrise. The fire tower cabs are only open on weekends when volunteers are there to staff them, so the view from the highest landing had to suffice. That said, it was a great view and with a 60' tower, you are well above the trees, even on the landing.
We settled in and watched the sun begin to peak over the horizon and then lift over the horizon and the mountains. The clouds to the east burned red and orange as the sun rose and began illuminating the low level clouds that were scattered throughout the valley.
It was a beautiful sight and well worth the effort of rising early and climbing the Catskills 2nd highest peak on what we think is one of the steepest trails in the Catskills!
We enjoyed the sun continuing to rise, had some snacks and had to throw a jacket on as the temperatures were quite low and the wind was quite strong. On the way up we had been keeping warm through the exercise, but at the summit you realized how chilly it was!
From there, we descended back down to the Becker Hollow Trailhead, reaching our vehicle around 6:30 am. We made our way home and by 9:00 we were broadcasting live on WIOX 91.3 FM talking about our solstice hike experiences on our weekly radio show - Catskills Digest!
In the end, it was well worth it - the conditions were perfect to catch the sunrise and it was a wonderful way to welcome the summer and celebrate the Summer Solstice!
Trail Description: Becker Hollow Trail
After about 3/4 of a mile from the trailhead, the trail begins to ascend very steeply, climbing the headwall of Becker Hollow. The trail offers little in the way of moderation once the steep climb starts. As you climb higher, there are openings in the forest, allowing for views back to the east. The trail follows the old road for a significant portion of the climb, but eventually leaves the former road and begins to climb more steeply before reaching a trail junction at approximately 1.8 miles.
The trail junction with the yellow trail provides two ways to reach the summit. Turning right onto the yellow trail takes you 0.35 miles to the summit and the fire tower. Staying on the Becker Hollow Trail to the left takes you in about 0.3 miles to the intersection with the Hunter Mountain Trail below the summit of Hunter Mountain (to the south), where there is a vista to the west. From there it's another 0.3 miles to the summit and the fire tower.
Yellow Trail: From the trail junction, the trail levels off and passes through a wet area. There is a relatively reliable spring at this point. A pipe has been installed to help hikers fill water bottles. After the spring, the trail turns to the left and begins climbing again. The climb is short and steep and after about two tenths of a mile from the spring, the trail emerges on the edge of the cleared area around the Fire Tower
Becker Hollow and Hunter Mountain Trails: From the trail junction the trail continues to climb steeply approximately 0.3 of a mile to the intersection with the Hunter Mountain Trail. Directly ahead at the trail junction is a very short side trail to an impressive vista looking to the west, down the Spruceton Valley. To the right, follow the Hunter Mountain Trail for 0.3 miles as it much more gradually ascends to the summit of Hunter and to the Fire Tower.
Return the same way.
________________________________________
MORE CATSKILL PARK, HIKING, PLANNING AND VISITOR INFO
- Visit the Catskill Park's Visitor Center, the Catskill Interpretive Center
- Read our Guide to Hiking in the Catskills
- We recommend the Catskills Trails Map Set or the Trails Illustrated Map for the Catskill Park
- Our favorite guidebook for the Catskills is the Catskill Mountain Guide
By the time we reached the trail junction with the yellow trail, the clouds on the horizon were lighting up in reds and oranges and we knew that the sunrise was coming. After a quick breather following the climb, we headed to the right on the yellow trail to give us the quickest and most direct access to the fire tower.
We arrived at the fire tower at about 5:05 am and could see that clouds and the horizon were brightening as the sun was about to make its appearance for the first day of summer.
We made our way up the fire tower, to the highest landing below the fire tower cab (the enclosed cabin at the top) to get the best view of the sunrise. The fire tower cabs are only open on weekends when volunteers are there to staff them, so the view from the highest landing had to suffice. That said, it was a great view and with a 60' tower, you are well above the trees, even on the landing.
We settled in and watched the sun begin to peak over the horizon and then lift over the horizon and the mountains. The clouds to the east burned red and orange as the sun rose and began illuminating the low level clouds that were scattered throughout the valley.
It was a beautiful sight and well worth the effort of rising early and climbing the Catskills 2nd highest peak on what we think is one of the steepest trails in the Catskills!
We enjoyed the sun continuing to rise, had some snacks and had to throw a jacket on as the temperatures were quite low and the wind was quite strong. On the way up we had been keeping warm through the exercise, but at the summit you realized how chilly it was!
From there, we descended back down to the Becker Hollow Trailhead, reaching our vehicle around 6:30 am. We made our way home and by 9:00 we were broadcasting live on WIOX 91.3 FM talking about our solstice hike experiences on our weekly radio show - Catskills Digest!
In the end, it was well worth it - the conditions were perfect to catch the sunrise and it was a wonderful way to welcome the summer and celebrate the Summer Solstice!
Trail Description: Becker Hollow Trail
- Difficulty: Very Strenuous
- Length: 2.05 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,220'
- Map: Northern Catskills in the Catskill Trails Map Set | Trails Illustrated: Catskill Park
After about 3/4 of a mile from the trailhead, the trail begins to ascend very steeply, climbing the headwall of Becker Hollow. The trail offers little in the way of moderation once the steep climb starts. As you climb higher, there are openings in the forest, allowing for views back to the east. The trail follows the old road for a significant portion of the climb, but eventually leaves the former road and begins to climb more steeply before reaching a trail junction at approximately 1.8 miles.
The trail junction with the yellow trail provides two ways to reach the summit. Turning right onto the yellow trail takes you 0.35 miles to the summit and the fire tower. Staying on the Becker Hollow Trail to the left takes you in about 0.3 miles to the intersection with the Hunter Mountain Trail below the summit of Hunter Mountain (to the south), where there is a vista to the west. From there it's another 0.3 miles to the summit and the fire tower.
Yellow Trail: From the trail junction, the trail levels off and passes through a wet area. There is a relatively reliable spring at this point. A pipe has been installed to help hikers fill water bottles. After the spring, the trail turns to the left and begins climbing again. The climb is short and steep and after about two tenths of a mile from the spring, the trail emerges on the edge of the cleared area around the Fire Tower
Becker Hollow and Hunter Mountain Trails: From the trail junction the trail continues to climb steeply approximately 0.3 of a mile to the intersection with the Hunter Mountain Trail. Directly ahead at the trail junction is a very short side trail to an impressive vista looking to the west, down the Spruceton Valley. To the right, follow the Hunter Mountain Trail for 0.3 miles as it much more gradually ascends to the summit of Hunter and to the Fire Tower.
Return the same way.
________________________________________
MORE CATSKILL PARK, HIKING, PLANNING AND VISITOR INFO
- Visit the Catskill Park's Visitor Center, the Catskill Interpretive Center
- Read our Guide to Hiking in the Catskills
- We recommend the Catskills Trails Map Set or the Trails Illustrated Map for the Catskill Park
- Our favorite guidebook for the Catskills is the Catskill Mountain Guide
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