Thomas Cole Mountain

Thomas Cole is named for the Hudson River School artist, Thomas Cole, who lived in Cedar Grove in Catskill, NY which today is the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. Naming a Catskill peak for him is especially fitting because he loved the mountains and painted extensively in them.

Routes

Thomas Cole Mountain 9.0 mi route

3 summits • 9.0 mi • 2,664 ft gain • 5 hr 7 min

Thomas Cole Mountain 7.3 mi route

1 summit • 7.3 mi • 2,302 ft gain • 2 hr 33 min

Thomas Cole Mountain 7.9 mi route

1 summit • 7.9 mi • 2,664 ft gain • 5 hr 23 min

Thomas Cole Mountain 8.7 mi route

1 summit • 8.7 mi • 2,653 ft gain • 5 hr 18 min

Thomas Cole Mountain 9.6 mi route

1 summit • 9.6 mi • 2,851 ft gain • 7 hr 8 min

Latest summits

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"T-bone out and back of the Blackhead range from Big Hollow road then over to Peck road for an out and back of Windham HP. Winter-like in the Blacks with ice, wind and cold temps then we crossed the valley for spring-like temps, bright sun and no ice on WHP. Fewer hikers out than expected most likely do to fact that is Easter Sunday. " — Nimblefoot • Mar 31, 2024

"On a nippy morning, that fortunately warmed up nicely, three of us did a T-bone out and back hike of the Blackhead range using only micro spikes. A few days ago a snowstorm hit the greater Hudson Valley area, bringing us back to winter after days of spring-like weather, but barely a flake dropped in the Catskills so no snowshoes. We ate our lunches in the car while driving from Big Hollow TH to Peck road TH, rather short distance, then proceeded onto an afternoon saunter of WHP. The trails were basically devoid of any snow so the spikes didn’t go on to about 2800’ do to long sections of ice spectacled with short sections of bare rocks…arghh! A speedy descent meant no headlamps were harmed on this venture." — Nimblefoot • Feb 15, 2024

"Did the Blackhead range and WHP for Mimi’s single season winter. First we did a T-bone out and back of the Blackhead range from the end of Big Hollow road then we dropped down to Peck road for an O&B of WHP. The snowshoes stayed in the car all day but should have taken for the Blackhead range so to allow us stay on top of the soft snow instead of plunging into it. On WHP there was no need for snowshoes and the ice/snow was very spotty. The minimal amount of snow was mostly near the summit ridge. Down low the trails were wet and muddy from the recent melt-out and rain. Because of our slow progress in the Blackhead range and a conversationally casual pace up WHP we descended it for the most part in the dark which added to the fun. Headlamps eventually came out when we couldn’t see the trail very well." — Nimblefoot • Jan 27, 2024

"T-boned the Blackhead range from Big Hollow road with my old friend Itty Bitty and her friend Doug from NH. Low clouds canceled most of the views and gave us some brief periods of sprinkles and snow flurries. " — Nimblefoot • Oct 22, 2023

"A very quiet Labor Day Monday. In the morning I did Bearpen and Vly out of Johnson Hollow without seeing a soul. Maybe the early morning showers and high humidity scared everyone off. For the afternoon I headed over to the Blackhead range to visit the summits of Thomas Cole and Black Dome. Because Barnum road trailhead was closer than Big Hollow road I started from it, something I haven’t done in probably 5 yrs or more. This allowed me to tick off the Caudal and Camels Hump once again. I even headed off trail to make sure I got the summit “X” on the Caudal. I only met one couple with their pup getting all three peaks of the range. " — Nimblefoot • Sep 4, 2023

"Hitting the Blackhead range for the month of August. On my way up to Lockwood Gap I ran into the legendary Luna Pelton and her dad who were heading out after getting the three peaks. She is the youngest, or close to it, finisher of the Catskill 3500 peaks in both 3-season and winter and the Catskill All Trails challenge. Now she is working on the Catskill Grid, what a spunky young lady. For a change of pace I decided against doing another 35r peak or two and instead headed to route 28A to hike the Ashokan Quarry trail. All of 1.8 miles of a loop and one spur trail but I spent time investigating the foundations, the quarry itself and the remnants of the train operation. On the upper part of the loop I did an easy off trail stroll to the summit of Acorn Hill." — Nimblefoot • Aug 9, 2023

"Got to the big hollow trailhead late - 1000. As soon as I pulled in, a couple of ladies pulled in beside me and hit the trail. A couple of park rangers also arrived and headed up the mountain. I met them all and others in the summit. The scramble to blackhead and also black some were soaking wet and slippery but doable. This was the most fun I’ve had so far in the Catskills peaks. " — HeyJoe • Jul 11, 2023

"Five of us set out to do a loop-like hike of the Blackhead range from the end of Big Hollow road and using the Batavia Kill and Escarpment trails. The climb up to Blackhead proved to be too much for Kelly’s husband Tony, who was still recovering from a virus, so he bailed out at Lockwood gap. The four of us did an o&b to Thomas Cole then descended out of Lockwood. The day was still early so Richard and I headed down to Peck road to go climb WHP as it was so close while the others headed home. Tagged peak #417/420 of my 4th grid and Richard got peak #338 of his first. Warm/humid day mid-week so didn’t see many other hikers enjoying a fine summer day with virtually no threat of rain for a pleasant change." — Nimblefoot • Jul 5, 2023

"T-bone hike of the Blackhead range with Peter and Mimi followed by a jaunt up to Windham HP. Warmer than normal temps have the ramps popping up nicely along with Trout lilies, red trilliums and Dutchman’s breeches. " — Nimblefoot • Apr 16, 2023

"Getting the Blackhead range for Ed’s grid. Beautiful day after yesterday’s rain which had all the creeks running full. On our way to Lockwood gap we found the upper water crossing a bit challenging as the usual rocks for hopping across were submerged." — Nimblefoot • Oct 14, 2022