Hiking Peekamoose Mountain in the Catskills
At 3,819' in elevation, Peekamoose Mountain is one of the high peaks of the Catskills, and part of the Catskill 3500 hiking challenge. The mountain makes a great destination in all seasons and includes one of the few rare mountaintop vistas in the Catskills from its summit.
The Peekamoose-Table Trail is the only trail that climbs Peekamoose (along with neighboring Table Mountain) from both the east and the west. We opted for the eastern approach, which climbs directly to the Peekamoose summit from the trailhead on Peekamoose Road (County Route 42). Note that the trailhead is located in the same area as the popular Peekamoose Blue Hole, so if you are hiking from this area between May 15th and September 15th, you'll need a permit to park. We were there in February, so no permit was needed, though the parking lot was mostly full when we got there for our (late) morning start.
Normally a hike near the end of February would have required full winter gear for the most part (snowshoes, microspikes, multiple layers of clothing, etc.), but this is no ordinary February. Snow and ice didn’t start until after you were above about 3,000-feet in elevation. From there the snow depth increased, but was very well packed and frozen, so all that we needed were microspikes.
From the summit we went back down the way we came for a total of just under 8 miles and about 2500-feet of elevation gain. We’d rate this as a moderate to difficult hike, not for any technically difficult climbing sections, but due to the length and the amount of elevation gain, both of which are longer than many other climbs in the Catskills.
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Outdoor Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Guide Services:
Important Hiking Considerations:
The Peekamoose-Table Trail is the only trail that climbs Peekamoose (along with neighboring Table Mountain) from both the east and the west. We opted for the eastern approach, which climbs directly to the Peekamoose summit from the trailhead on Peekamoose Road (County Route 42). Note that the trailhead is located in the same area as the popular Peekamoose Blue Hole, so if you are hiking from this area between May 15th and September 15th, you'll need a permit to park. We were there in February, so no permit was needed, though the parking lot was mostly full when we got there for our (late) morning start.
Normally a hike near the end of February would have required full winter gear for the most part (snowshoes, microspikes, multiple layers of clothing, etc.), but this is no ordinary February. Snow and ice didn’t start until after you were above about 3,000-feet in elevation. From there the snow depth increased, but was very well packed and frozen, so all that we needed were microspikes.
From the summit we went back down the way we came for a total of just under 8 miles and about 2500-feet of elevation gain. We’d rate this as a moderate to difficult hike, not for any technically difficult climbing sections, but due to the length and the amount of elevation gain, both of which are longer than many other climbs in the Catskills.
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- Catskills Fire Tower Challenge Videos
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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
- Catskill Center's Platte Clove Preserve
Outdoor Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Guide Services:
Advice and Recommended Gear:
Gear we used on this hike:
- Goodr Sunglasses
- Osprey Talon 22 Pack
- Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof Boots
- Asolo Arctic GV Boots
- Darn Tough Midweight Hiking Socks
- Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Poles
- Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie
- Cotopaxi Otero Full-Zip Fleece Hoodie
- Patagonia R1 Pullover
- Eddie Bauer High Route Grid Fleece 1/2-Zip Hoodie
- Eddie Bauer MicroTherm 2.0 Down Hooded Jacket
- Eddie Bauer High Route Grid Air 1/4-Zip
- Eddie Baur Guide Pro Pants
- Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters
- Microspikes
- Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Poles
- Darn Tough Socks
- Nalgene 32-ounce Wide-Mouth Water Bottles
- Nalgene Insulated Bottle Carrier
- Energizer LED Headlamp
- Patagonia Nine Trails Shorts
- NEMO Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Seat Pad
- Garmin Instinct Watches
- Garmin inReach Plus GPS
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- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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