New York City: Kaaterskill High Peak

Hike 9.2 miles to a picturesque peak loved by Hudson Valley painters like Thomas Cole. This lasso loop passes two plane wrecks and provides unmatched views of the Catskills.

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Trail Facts

  • Distance: 9.5
  • Miles from city center: 115

Waypoints

KHP001

Location: 42.1339874267578, -74.0819473266602

From lot, head N on well-marked trail

KHP002

Location: 42.1401748657227, -74.076530456543

Turn R; trail spirals up a muddy mountain side

KHP003

Location: 42.1425437927246, -74.0743865966797

Trail makes a hard R

KHP004

Location: 42.142391204834, -74.0721740722656

Turn L

KHP005

Location: 42.1450996398926, -74.0700149536133

Cross footbridge over a tumbling creek

KHP006

Location: 42.1688499450684, -74.0794067382812

L @ Wildcat Falls JunctionOptional sidehike: Turn R to Wildcat and Buttermilk Falls

KHP007

Location: 42.1674346923828, -74.0804443359375

Continue L onto a wide, orange-blazed trail

KHP008

Location: 42.1585655212402, -74.0708541870117

Plane wreckage: A rusty engine block, mangled wings, and other plane parts litter the ground

KHP009

Location: 42.1577682495117, -74.0823287963867

Turn R @ big cairn pile and begin a butt-busting climb up the old Twilight Park Trail (a lost and unmaintained route)

KHP010

Location: 42.161922454834, -74.0801239013672

Overlook: Flat boulder near top offers 180° views of deep valleys and wooded summits; Kaaterskill High Peak (3,655 ft.) is near

KHP011

Location: 42.1621513366699, -74.0798721313476

More plane parts litters the woods about 25 yards downhill from summit; trail continues N off the summit

KHP012

Location: 42.167537689209, -74.0815048217774

Turn R, then L, closing lasso loop; return 3.3 miles to trailhead