Hiking the Balsam Mountain Loop in the Catskills - A Catskill 3500 Peak with a View!

Balsam Mountain (3,607’) is located in the Catskill Mountains of New York. It's evergreen summit rises high above the central Catskills and offers a view to the northeast. Balsam Mountain is also one of the Catskill peaks above 3,500' in elevation and is part of the Catskill 3500 challenge.

For this hike we began at the trailhead located at the end of Rider Hollow Road, where the Oliverea-Mapledale Trail begins. We followed the Oliverea-Mapledale (Rider Hollow) Trail 1.8 miles to its intersection with the Pine Hill West Branch Trail at the notch between Haynes Mountain and Balsam Mountain. From there we followed the Pine Hill West Branch Trail 0.8 miles to the summit of Balsam Mountain. After the summit it was 1.3 miles down the Pine Hill West Branch Trail to the trail junction with the Mine Hollow Trail. We then followed by the Mine Hollow Trail down 1 mile to its intersection with the Oliverea-Mapledale Trail and then 0.3 miles out to the trailhead we started.

This is a roughly 5.2 mile moderate hike with just over 1,700 feet of elevation gain along the way. There are a few steep stretches of trail descending Balsam Mountain towards the Mine Hollow Trail and in places the Mine Hollow Trail descends steeply, but in neither case are the descents difficult.

We would suggest following this loop in a counterclockwise fashion as shown in this video. The ascent is more gradual via the Oliverea-Mapledale Trail and Pine Hill West Branch Trail from this direction and the more steep sections are left for descents.

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You can find more information about this hike on:

• The NYNJ Trail Conference's Catskill Trails Map Set
• National Geographic's Trails Illustrated Map for the Catskill Park
• Catskill Trails Guidebook from ADK
• Hiking the Catskills Guidebook
• Guide to the Catskill Fire Tower Challenge 

Find additional information about the Catskill Park by visiting the Catskills Visitor Center

• https://catskillsvisitorcenter.org​.

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Gear we used on this hike:

• Goodr Sunglasses
• Osprey Talon 22 Pack
• Altra Lone Peak Shoes
• Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Poles
• Darn Tough Socks
• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
• Nalgene 32-ounce Wide-Mouth Water Bottles
• Energizer LED Headlamp
• Patagonia Nine Trails Shorts
• NEMO Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Seat Pad
• Garmin Instinct Watches
• Garmin inReach Plus GPS

Thanks for watching! Be sure to like and subscribe on YouTube if you enjoyed our video. We appreciate the opportunity to share our adventures with you and highlight members of the LGBTQ+ community enjoying the outdoors. Proud gay hikers here! Find out more about us at The Hiker Trash Husbands on the web - https://www.hikertrashhusbands.com

Important Hiking Considerations:

1. Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions. Weather can be unpredictable, so bring appropriate clothing and gear. 
2. Safety: Some sections of the trail can be steep and rocky, so use caution and watch your footing. It's also a good idea to hike with a friend or let someone know about your hiking plans. 
3. Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.