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 Reporter |
Summary: This hike starts out by going up Mink Hollow along a branch of the Beaverkill River. Along the way there are wildflowers and stinging nettles. I am not a big fan of because evrytime you brush against one your leg starts to itch like crazy. The more you scratch the worst it gets. the best remedy is to bare the itch for a few minutes and then it goes away. The trail starts out as a gradual but very washed out climb to the col of Plateau and Sugarloaf Mt. Once at the Col you pick up the Devils Path were the trail gets steep and tough due to some of the ledges that you have to get yourself up on. With all the rain lately the rocks were very slick. Once you hit the 3500ft mark you start to get into the Spruce and Balsam forest. The smell is amazing. Just before the Summit there is a short side trail that leads to a view of the High peaks. Today there were none because the summit was in the fog. Summit elevation is 3810ft. Trailhead: From Kingston NY take rt. 28 West. Make right onto 375 to Woodstock. Then make a left onto 212. Take 212 to town of Pine Hill. Make a right onto Mink Hollow Rd. Follow Mink Hollow Rd to end were there is a DEC Parking lot. (Lat:42.10138 Lon:-74.17152) Trail Guides for Sugarloaf Mt Catskills, NY: Catskill trails map by NY-NJ trail conference (NY-NJ trail conference) Catskill Mountain Guide by Pete w kick (Appalachian Mountain Club) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: NY State DEC Region 3 845-256-3083 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Shawn Viggiano, who has posted 44 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Diane on 8/14/2008 I've done this hike twice now, and would do it again. But I would NOT refer to it as Moderate in difficulty. It's not a stroll up a steep path like the escarpment trail further north. The trail is well maintained but some sections require the use of all four limbs for both ascent and descent. If wet, not even icy, you need to be very careful. I think there are cats up there, judging by the scat that I saw.
Reviewed by JamesDG on 7/5/2008 Hiked Devil's Path from Prediger road up to Indian Head, Twin Mt., and then Sugarloaf foot trail lookout. I retraced my ascent to Sugarloaf and took Pecoy notch to Roaring Kill parking and walked back to my car on Prediger road. Views were intermittent due to low clouds/fog. The false summit on Twin tricked me! It is a wide open, rocky area. Forest smelled amazing! I encountered four groups of hikers. I saw a snake, birds, toads, efts. The ascent from Pecoy notch to Sugarloaf can be an ass-kicker if you are tired or out of shape! I would do this hike again but on an ideally clear day. 
Reviewed by Peter on 10/15/2006 Hiked Sugarloaf and Plateau today, making a loop from Pecoy Notch to Plateau, then back down the new Mink Hollow trail. Good view to the south from Sugarloaf from an overlook off the trail, just west of the summit and nice views up and down both sides of Sugarloaf. Hiked to the summit of Plateau the eastern end of the ridge, but time constraints prevented me from visiting the western end of the mountain. The notch between Sugarloaf and Plateau is very deep and it's a brutal climb up either mountain from there. Good day of exercise.
Reviewed by Daryl on 9/9/2006 My wife and I hiked this trail on 9/2/06 and was able to go all the way to the lean to near the Junction of the Devil's Path trail. Although their was a washout about a mile in, it was relatively easy to get around and refind the trail. 
Reviewed by sandi on 8/3/2006 The trail is currently not usable and will perhaps not reopen again. The tree with the sign-in box is down and the ground is collapsed on several spots on the very 1st mile. i coulndt go further; could not see more markers...
Reviewed by esp on 9/12/2005 This is one of my favorites, but it is slippery at times. However, it is not near Arkville--Woodstock/Phoneicia and Hunter/Tannersville would be much closer. The two approaches are from Mink Hollow in Lake Hill (gradual and longer) or a seasonal road between West Saugerties and Elka Park--not recommended in wet weather without 4-wheel drive to get to the trailhead. I highly recommend turning over stones and looking for salamanders, turtles, etc. by the streambed. There's a really amazing diversity of reptiles and amphibians here.
Reviewed by G on 8/25/2005 Very nice hike but the town where mink hollow road connects to the trail head is Lake Hill not Pine Hill, as mentioned in the main review.
Reviewed by George J. Dagis on 5/7/2004 Although the view might rate a 4, the EXPERIENCE rates an easy 5. I have only climbed it from the west and my most memorable hike was a winter excursion with snow and considerable ice falls abundant. Believe it, or not, I am scared of heights and THIS mountain (especially this appoach) is notorious for it's dangerous conditions in the winter; as a mater of fact it has been dubbed "Suicide Mountain". I remember well the first time I ever used my ice axe. I sunk it in and took my life into my hands relying on the hope that it would retain purchase as I pulled my body up the ice floe. Luckily, I am still here to write about it. A real challenge in winter to say the very least ! Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: New York Hiking, New York Trails, New York Hikes, Delaware County Hiking, Delaware County Trails, Delaware County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||