Escarpment Trail - Southern Section (Blue)

0.00 miles

Trail starts on Schutt Road, across from parking lot. From 23A in Haines Falls, turn onto North Lake Road (there's a sign for the state campground). Schutt Road is the last road on the right, just before the gate for the campground. The parking lot is on your right after turning. Trail descends slightly through the woods, crossing 2 old railroad beds.

0.50

Trail crosses Lake Creek on bridge, then joins old road to South Lake. Trail junction with the Schutt Road Trail (Red Markers), which goes left. Trail turns right past the site of the old parking lot known as Scribner's, formerly at the end of Schutt Road - the bridge has been removed and the road is closed past the new parking lot

0.75

Pass near the top of Kaaterskill Falls, which can be reached by following Lake Creek on your right. Warning: approaching the top of the falls is very dangerous, and there have been a number of deaths here, including some very experienced hikers. Use extreme caution!

1.20

Layman Monument, dedicated to firefighter who died here in 1900. Trail turns left, following the escarpment. Excellent views.

1.70

Junction with Yellow marked trail to Schutt Road trail.

2.75

Junction with old Kaaterskill Road, which descends right to Palenville. This road, long used as a horse trail, is now part of the Long Path. Turn sharp left upgrade along laurel bordered road.

3.15

Junction with Schutt Road Tail (Red Markers), left back to Schutt Road. Straight ahead you will see the driveway cutting though the trees to the Kaaterskill Hotel site. Trail turns right on old road.

3.70

Junction with cutoff trail left (Red Markers) that returns to the Escarpment Trail further on, bypassing Boulder Rock.

3.90

Boulder Rock, a large glacial erratic perched on the escarpment. Lookout towards Palenville and Hudson Valley.

4.00

Junction with cutoff trail left (Red Markers) back to the Escarpment Trail. Take blue trail to the right for North Lake.

4.30

Catskill Mountain House site. See Historical Marker.

4.50

Parking (fee charged) for North Lake State Campground. Follow blue markers around picnic area.

4.80

Artists Rock, excellent views of the Hudson Valley

4.95

The Bear's Den, former site of Jacob's Ladder, where the Escarpment trail climbed up to Sunset Rock. Trail now goes left, skirting the edge of the rock escarpment

5.30

Junction with Yellow Trail on the right to Sunset Rock (.25 mi) Steep climb begins.

5.40

Newmans Ledge, excellent views of Hudson Valley

6.30

Badmans Cave or Rock Shelter Trail junction. Short cut via yellow trail left to Mary's Glen and State Campground.

6.90

Junction with Mary's Glen Trail (Red Markers) on left. This is the last turn back point for State Campground. Continue right, climbing steeply. Stay on the marked trail, avoiding the badly eroded old trail, now closed.

7.15

North Point - spectacular views.

7.65

Summit North Mt. (3180')

8.85

Southside Stoppel Point

9.00

Summit Stoppel Point (3420')

9.10

Start descent from top of Stoppel Point.

11.40

Bottom of Dutcher Notch, trail junction. Right on yellow markers to good spring (.35 mi) and Floyd Hawver Road (2.4 mi). Left on yellow markers to Colgate Lake (4.25 mi). Blue trail ascends very steeply.

13.77

Summit Blackhead Mt. (3937'), Junction with Blackhead trail (Yellow markers) to Black Dome trail (.5 mile) Escarpment trail continues north to NY Rte 23.

Trail descriptions here are based on New York State DEC "Catskill Trails" brochure, with additional information by me.The descriptions and maps listed here are approximate, and are provided for basic trip planning. They are not a substitute for a good trail guide and map. Please remember that hiking in the wilderness areas can be dangerous! No warranty of any kind on the accuracy of the information on the following pages is expressed or implied.