Catskill Forest Preserve - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 42.288765, -74.114545
View Larger Map
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| Parking lot almost at the end of Big Hollow Road. |
TRAIL MAP:
Northeastern Catskill Trails Map #141 - NY/NJ Trail Conference
HIKE DISTANCES:
Windham High Peak - Burnt Knob - Acra Point Lollipop: 10.5 miles
Shorter versions with NY/NJ Trail Conference links:
Windham High Peak via Burnt Knob Out and Back: 7.3 miles
Acra Point Loop: 5.2 miles
PEAK BAGGING:
Windham High Peak - Peakery.com
Burnt Knob - Peakery.com
Acra Point - Peakery.com
THE HIKE:
When driving in, make note of a trailhead on the left shortly before the parking lot. This is where the hike starts.
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| Immediately cross a brand new bridge (replacing one destroyed by Hurricane Irene) and sign the trail register at the other side of the bridge. |
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| Foot bridge crosses over Batavia Kill. |
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| Red-blazed Black Dome Range Trail |
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| Blue-blazed Escarpment Trail |
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| While ascending the blue-blazed Escarpment Trail, turn around to see Acra Point. |
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| Fall foliage on the Escarpment Trail. |
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| The Blackhead Range from Burnt Knob side trail overlook. |
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| Windham High Peak from Burnt Knob Overlook |
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| The Hudson Valley from Burnt Knob Overlook |
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| Panorama of Burnt Knob Overlook |
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| View of the Black Dome Valley from the other side of Burnt Knob heading towards Windham High Peak. |
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| 3500 ft elevation sign just before the summit of Windham High Peak. |
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| Hudson Valley view from Windham High Peak |
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| Fall Foliage in the Hudson Valley from Windham High Peak |
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| Historical graffiti on Windham High Peak. |
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| Continue on briefly to the other side of the WIndham High Peak summit for a view of the Blackhead Range before heading back. |
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| Heading back towards Acra Point. |
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| Returning to the trail junction, turn right to return to car, straight for Acra Point loop. |
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| Burnt Knob (left) and Windham High Peak (right behind tree) from Escarpment Trail ascending Acra Point |
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| Hudson Valley view from Acra Point |
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| Continuing on from Acra Point, the trail goes through a very attractive fairytale-like spruce forest. |
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| At the next trail junction, turn right on the yellow-blazed Batavia Kill Trail. |
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| Batavia Kill Shelter |
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| The trail follows along the Batavia Kill. |
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| A footbridge that barely survived Hurricane Irene. |
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| Another brand new bridge on the red-blazed Black Dome Range Trail just before the parking lot. |
HIKE SUMMARY:
[ 0.00] Walk back the way you drove in briefly, then turn right on the red-blazed trail; cross footbridge and sign trail register
[ 1.00] Left on blue-blazed Escarpment Trail towards Burnt Knob
*** turn right on blue trail for 5.2 mile Acra Point Loop ***
[ 1.40] Side trail on left to overlook of Blackhead Range
[ 1.85] Side trail on right to overlook of Hudson Valley
[ 2.20] Side trail on left to overlook; a little farther along another overlook on left
[ 3.40] 3500 feet elevation sign
[ 3.45] Windham High Peak view to the right of Hudson Valley
[ 3.55] Windham High Peak view to the left of Blackhead Range; retrace
[ 6.30] At intersection keep straight on blue when red goes right
*** turn right on red back to parking lot for 7.3 mile hike ***
[ 6.65] Side trail to right to view of Burnt Knob and Windham High Peak
[ 7.00] Acra High Point view to left at rock outcrop as trail turns sharply right
[ 8.95] Turn right on yellow when blue goes straight
[ 9.15] Batavia Kill shelter on right
[ 9.85] Cross Batavia Kill, yellow trail ends, turn right on red trail towards Big Hollow Road
[ 9.95] Cross damaged bridge (stable enough for crossing)
[10.35] Cross new bridge; sign out at trail register
[10.50] Back at parking lot
