Anyone involved in hiking New York’s Adirondack Mountains is familiar with its 46 High Peaks. Just to their south is the Catskill Mountain range, where the magic number is 35 peaks rising above 3,500 feet. Last Autumn I took a walk up my first of the Catskill 3500’s, reaching the 3,524′ peak of Windham Mountain. Though it sits near the bottom of the Catskill 3500s list, while the nearby trio of the Blackhead Mountains are all three near the top, Windham does not disappoint.
Estimated Hrs.: 4.5 to 5.5 (winter) / 4 (non-winter)
Max. Elevation Reached: 3,518 ft.
Elevation Gain: 1,991 ft. (approx.)
Peak Elevation: 3,524 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate
Located in the far northeastern edge of the Catskill range, Windham Mountain forms a wall between the towns of Windham and Cairo. The out-and-back trail to the peak can be taken from two directions. Starting from the Peck Road trailhead the total miles are about 6.2, however, starting from the Big Hollow trailhead, at the end of Big Hollow Road, you’ll be walking a mile further. There is also an option to begin off Route 23.
From whichever trailhead you start, a majority of the path follows a small section of the 23 mile Escarpment Trail, that is also part of the much longer 347 mile Long Path, that stretches from Fort Lee, New Jersey to Altamont in Albany, New York, an hour drive north of Windham Mountain.
The trail opens up along the way to provide great views of the Schoharie and Mohawk valleys to Albany, and of the nearly 4,000 foot high Blackhead Mountains, comprised of Black Dome, Blackhead and Thomas Cole. If you are looking to spend overnight time, there is a lean-to shelter along the Escarpment Trail near its junction with the Elm Ridge Trail that you only pass when coming up from Peck Road (or Route 23). Past the shelter, on the way up to the peak you’ll pass through a stand of Norway Spruce believed to have been planted in the 1930s.
[singlepic id=330 w= h= float=none]The views you enjoy depend on where you start from. I started from Big Hollow, because it offers more views and is the more challenging approach of the two.
If you are hiking with someone else, or leave a bike at one trailhead and park at the other, it’s easily possible to walk end-to-end from Peck to Big Hollow. Contemplating this route on foot, I stopped by the Peck Road trailhead to see how the road walk would go. While rural, it would be a boring two mile walk between parking lots. When I reached the parking area at the end of Big Hollow road I was struck by the contrast of how busy it was in comparison to other. I was lucky to have find a parking spot. There was a large group from New York City assembling for a guided hike in the Blackhead Mountains.
Walking in the opposite direction of the crowd, back down the road about 40 feet to where the trail I needed began, it only took passing over a footbridge leading into the forest to find myself in complete solitude.
[singlepic id=321 w= h= float=none]From the bridge it takes one mile to intersect with the Escarpment Trail. There are a few small streams running across the trail that are easily crossed with a few rock steps. In early Spring it might take a little more. The forest on Windham Mountain is quiet and even though it was colored in full spectacle of Autumn reds and yellows, I didn’t pass by too many people.
In comparison to the poorly marked and maintained trails I’ve encountered in the Adirondacks, this Catskill trail was very well marked and maintained. Nearing the peak you’ll face some steep ascents and descents, but none are too difficult. All in all, this trail made for a great day out.
http://alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/windham-high-peak-trail