Escarpment Trail, Catskills NY

“Escarpment, which means there is an abrupt change in elevation—most commonly a slope or cliff—that is caused by erosion, gives an indication of the landscape of the trail.”

“These are also the fabled mountains, on the southern end of the trail, where the legendary Dutchman, Rip Van Winkle slept undisturbed for 20 years.”

Those being quotes from articles I read while researching for the trail…

We completed the end to end hike ( 25 miles ) of the Escarpment trail in 3 days / 2 nights. For anyone who is a fairly strong hiker and has limited time and would love to see the Catskills at its BEST, I would 100% recommend hiking this trail, starting at Rt.23 and finishing on Schutt road near North South Lake campground. This easily has become my favorite trip in the Catskills. From the very first steps.. it just kept getting better and better each mile hiked. Stunning view after view after view and hiking along the cliffs and ledges made this an unforgettable one!!

Bob and Mike slept in their hammocks while I slept in my Borah Gear Snowyside eVent bivy.. no condensation at all.. I did sleep with it open and not zipped up.. giving me a spectacular show of stars in the clear skies on night #2.

If you are thinking of doing a trip in the Catskills, the Escarpment trail should be a priority. It is by no means a beginner trail, so be cautioned.. however, if you are a fairly strong hiker you will be fine doing this in 3 days. Do not let it deter you if you feel you are not a strong hiker though… simply take more time and days to do it!!! The trail is well maintained and easy enough to follow. We went out on Wednesday to Friday and had every single view point to ourselves and about 98% of the trail to ourselves until near the end at North South Lake area, where there will always be a lot of people day hiking. I will be doing this trail again, I would love to do it in winter with snow and ice and leaves down! Hope you enjoy the video I put together and again, if you are looking for a trip in Catskills.. Escarpment trail should be top priority!!

Feel free to hit me up with any questions. If you are planning this trip I can help you out with what I know..

This topic has 10 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 3 years ago by dirtbag.

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Oct 11, 2021 at 10:28 am #3729414

dirtbag
BPL Member

@dirtbaghiker

Companion forum thread to: Escarpment Trail, Catskills NY

Escarpment, which means there is an abrupt change in elevation—most commonly a slope or cliff—that is caused by erosion, gives an indication of the la

Oct 12, 2021 at 5:17 pm #3729495

Kevin Babione
BPL Member

@kbabione
Locale: Pennsylvania

Another great video of your trip – thanks for posting. Having done a number of hikes with Bob (but only one with Mike) I’m especially impressed that you were in the lead heading up Blackhead Mountain! I never saw much of Bob except his pack disappearing down the trail ahead of me. I learned early on that I shouldn’t try to keep up with him. I’ll see him at some point when he stops to make a mid-morning cup of coffee, lunch, or when it’s time to set up camp.

Thanks again!

Oct 12, 2021 at 6:02 pm #3729499

JCH
BPL Member

@pastyj-2-2

What an amazing place. Enjoyed the video…thanks for taking the time to post.

Oct 12, 2021 at 7:40 pm #3729505

dirtbag
BPL Member

@dirtbaghiker

Thank you both!!!

Oct 13, 2021 at 8:32 am #3729543
Kevin Babione
BPL Member

@kbabione
Locale: Pennsylvania
One of my older daughters who loves to backpack lives in Burlington VT and this would be a great hike for the two of us to do (I’d be coming up from PA). You mind sharing your logistics? Specifically:
- Which trailhead did you use to start and end your hike
- I saw that you spent the first night at the Batavia Kill shelter, but that you camped away from it. Was there a picnic table there? A privy? Just curious.
- Your second night was around North Point – at one of the lookouts but not in an established campsite, right? Would you make a different choice?
- Since you were mostly on ridgetops the second day did you have access to any water or did you carry what you needed for the 2nd and 3rd days from the water at Batavia Kill?
Thanks!
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:36 am #3729550

dirtbag
BPL Member

@dirtbaghiker

It most certainly would be a great hike!!

We called Smilys cab service for a shuttle. $55 and $2 each additional person. We parked our cars on Schutt road trail head, near North South Lake Campground.. that trail head is the end ( or Beginning) of the Escarpment trail. Smilys cab met us there and shuttle us to the other trail head.. on Rt. 23.. about a 35 minute drive or so.

Batavia Kill area is great. There is a reliable stream right there where we camped. The lean to is nice, i just prefer to avoid sleeping in or close to them unless emergency or only option. I believe there is a privy behind it.. if I recall from past times there.. but we did not look around for it. No picnic tables!

Our second nights camp was about a 10 minute hike BEFORE north Point. Had we known about North Point area, we all agreed we would have hiked on and camped there!! No doubt. When I do it again.. that is where I will camp!!!

Day 2 we filled up at Batavia Kill.. before leaving camp..only 1 liter. About halfway on day 2..there is a trail junction.. Dutcher Notch. There is a reliable spring at Dutchers Notch.. a short walk down the trail. If doing the trail as we did.. you would MAKE A LEFT at the junction.. the trail signs also point you left for SPRING! We cameled up there then carried about 3 or 4 liters each.. since rest of the trail would be dry and also dry camping that night. Worst case.. you can get water the next morning as u hike near the lake on day 3.

We averaged about 9 miles per day.. 8.5 or so…. be prepared.. it is fairly rugged but there is also lots of nice easy walking. We certainly took our time and spent lots of time at viewpoints. Some of them much longer then others! Its well worth it to enjoy the views. Blackhead Mountain will be the toughest and longest climb.. morning of day 2.. however.. again, be prepared as there are plenty of other scrambles up and down all throughout this trail. 3 days / 2 nights is very nice for this trail.. if you wanted that extra day you could easily take more time.. just remember.. reliable water at Batavia Kill and Dutcher Notch!!! Thats the key!!! There were other small streams along the way, and puddles too.. but they could be gone in a day.. no promise of water except Batavia Kill and Dutcher Notch.

Hope that helps.. feel free to email me if u need anything else.. [email protected].

Oct 13, 2021 at 10:49 am #3729552

dirtbag
BPL Member

@dirtbaghiker

I would also recommend, if you are up to it, at end of trip you will be near Katterskill Falls. I believe it is the highest water falls in NY. You can easily access it via a short trail. However.. there will be PLENTY of people there as it is easy to access and everyone goes to see it. We actually decided to bypass it due to all the traffic and being slightly tired from long day hiking.. but if you are interested, it is worth a look.. since you dont get to be in this area often!

Oct 13, 2021 at 11:34 am #3729557

Kevin Babione
BPL Member

@kbabione
Locale: Pennsylvania

Thanks for all of the info – Looking at the map on Gaia everything you said makes a lot of sense. We won’t need a shuttle because we’ll have two cars. Some of the “ups and downs” were quite apparent in your video – I loved the scene where Mike asked “How the hell am I supposed to get down this?”

Water was my big concern…I tend to drink 5-6 liters a day while hiking and the thought of leaving Batavia Kill with enough for the day, dinner, and breakfast (8-9 liters?) was really daunting.

Thanks again!

Oct 13, 2021 at 11:40 am #3729559

dirtbag
BPL Member

@dirtbaghiker

You got it. Anything else.. dont hesitate..

Nov 9, 2021 at 6:25 pm #3731924

Duncan DeVore
BPL Member

@ddevore

First time seeing this. A wonderful video, thank you!!! I normally hike the AT (in PA) but have been wanting to checkout trails in NY. Especially the Catskills and Adorondacs. This will be my first hike in the Catskills for sure. Are there any trails you would recommend in the Adorondacs?

Also, what kind of stove setup are you using, never seen that before.

Nov 9, 2021 at 7:12 pm #3731926

dirtbag
BPL Member

@dirtbaghiker

Thank you Duncan. Not too familiar with the Adirondacks enough to recommend any trails, sorry. However, this trail through the Catskills I would totally recommend as many others too. The cookset is my Trail Design 400 ml Ti-Tri. I was using esbit there. I love that little stove set up when I don’t need much water to boil.
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Country	United States
State	New York
Area	Catskills
Trip Month	(10) - October

Escarpment Trail, Catskills NY

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Escarpment Trail, Catskills NY

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Packrafting the Adirondacks: Cedar River Hudson River Loop

October Camping with a Bivy

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Dry Brook Ridge Wild Forest, Catskill Mountains

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