Hike Kaaterskill High Peak Catskill State Park, NY

Jul 19, 2021 — I followed the Long Path for the majority of the hike to Kaatskill High Peak, the first couple of miles of which was along the remains of an old roadbed. A couple of junctions are marked well so you don't get lost on the web of old roads. A bit of gradual ascending led to a saddle on the east side of the peak. Then the trail wrapped around to the peak's north side, where a flat and dull section had accumulated lots of water and mud on my visit. I kept left at a junction and headed south along a red-blazed trail. The blazes were short-lived, representing a skimobile trail loop that wraps around Kaaterskill High Peak. Shortly after this junction came another, where I kept along a social trail. It's easy enough to follow with the help of some cairns, but otherwise it isn't marked. The trail climbs steeply on some light Class 2 terrain, using the typical fun root/rock combination that comprises most trails in the area. There was a single viewpoint on the way up before reaching the tree-covered summit of Kaaterskill High Peak. Apparently you can continue south along the social trail for a short time to Hurricane Ledge, another view point. I didn't know about this at the time, so I missed out.