Black Dome

"Eight of us did an out and back through Lockwood Gap tagging Black Dome, T. Cole and Blackhead. Steady snow flurries with gusty wind dropping an inch or so in the AM. In the afternoon the snow ceased and the clouds cleared allowing views on our way down from BD and over on Blackhead. Windy all day with moderate temps fortunately." — Nimblefoot • Jan 27, 2019

"I summitted the Blackheads from Barnum road on a clear and chilly day. The summits were a winter wonderland and everything was quite peaceful and beautiful. Only passed a few folks, the exception being a slow moving AMC group; which bordered on the maximum group size. As also a great day to be in the woods." — Right-On • Jan 12, 2019

"We did a horseshoe hike of Windham High Peak and the Blackhead range starting at Peck road and finishing at Barnum road. On our way off the summit of Blackhead we could see some dark sky then began to hear the rumblings of a potential thunderstorm off to our left. Minutes later the clouds started to sprinkle on us which was quite refreshing since we were a bit hot and sweaty from the heat and humidity. Then the pouring rain came soaking us to the skin so now we began to feel a bit chilly. Fortunately it quit just as fast as it started making our climb up to Black Dome more comfortable with wet clothes keeping us cool. The storm also broke the humidity for the rest of the day or at least it felt that way. " — Nimblefoot • Jul 3, 2018

"Ed, Steve and I met in the PA at the end of Big Hollow road to tag BD and TC before heading over to Peck road to ascend Windham HP. A month ago we were here in the Blacks freezing with winter temps. and gusty winds and now we are here sweating in summer-like temps. and nary a breeze. Still bringing the micro spikes just in case as foolish it may seem wearing shorts with temps. heading into the 70’s. Fortunately they remained clipped to our packs unharmed. Today we can enjoy the views from the open ledges on BD, the one near the summit is beginning to grow back in but still worth the climb. On to Thomas Cole before returning. " — Nimblefoot • May 3, 2018

"Ed, Steve and I out for a romp on the Blackhead range. Cool and blustery with the wind almost freezing the side of faces as we ascend Black Dome from Lockwood gap. No great views today so we continue cruising towards Tommy Cole once we hit the summit area." — Nimblefoot • Apr 6, 2018

"So today my original plan was to hike Thomas Cole and Black Dome mountains to check off 2 more mountains off my winter Catskill 3500 requirement. I hiked th he first 1.3 miles and things started to get real difficult between Caudal and Camel's hump. That .7 miles was rough, breaking through 2+ feet of snow drifts basically the whole way. My legs were already tired. I kept falling. Before I even made it to Camel's Hump I was thinking about turning back. I made it up a few minutes later and could see Tommy Cole, just under a mile away. It was hard for me to be that close and have to turn around because I couldn't do it. So I shotgunned my beer (in perfect LGH fashion) and I started to head back. Until I realised what I was doing. I was quitting. Something that I have never done before. It didn't feel right. So I stopped and turned back to Tommy Cole and told myself that I at least had to try. Luckily I did. From Camel's Hump on I stayed on top of the snow and the hiking was A LOT better from then on. I pressed on taking my time stopping every once and a while so I didn't burn myself out. I made it to the summit of Tommy Cole and decided to continue on to Black Dome. The hiking was ..." — LGH-Topple • Feb 9, 2018

"Laura, Steve, Tim and I went out and played in the snow. After tagging Blackhead we started breaking trail acrossed the remaining peaks, humps and bumps of the range. Sunday’s snowstorm brought back winter but not enough fluff for the rock scrambles. A bit challenging getting up through there with the big shoes on our feet. We persevered with creative hand and foot work and managed to get to the summit view for lunch. On to an easier sashay over to Tommy Cole." — Nimblefoot • Feb 6, 2018

"Out on a solo hike to tag the three peaks in the Blackhead range. From Lockwood gap I bopped out to Black Dome and Thomas Cole breaking through a few inches of snow since the last hikers. " — Nimblefoot • Dec 16, 2017

"Back to the Blackhead range to hit Thomas Cole and Black Dome finishing up my 15th round in the 3-season. Still late fall conditions on the trail and fairly warm in the bright sunshine." — Nimblefoot • Dec 4, 2017

"After doing my trail maintenance on the Diamond Notch trail I headed over to Elmer Barnum road to visit the summits of Thomas Cole and Black Dome. The parking lot was overflowing on such a nice day. With the bright sun and temperatures in the mid 80's it was a bit toasty hiking in the open stretches of the trail." — Nimblefoot • Jun 11, 2017

"Ed, Heather, Eric, Steve and I enjoyed a wintry stomp across the Blackhead range. Blue sky and bright sun overhead and powdery snow under our feet. Ran into an AMC group doing Black Dome and maybe Thomas Cole. Always surprised how folks will struggle wearing spikes on a snowy trail while carrying snowshoes on their pack." — Nimblefoot • Feb 4, 2017

"A thru-hike from Big Hollow road to Elmer Barnum road. The early spring temps caused some clothing adjustments to shorts. Less ice from the gap to the summit but we still wore the spikes for less slips trying to avoid it. Lunch on the warm rock ledge." — Nimblefoot • Mar 8, 2016

"We enjoyed this range as a nice thru hike from Barnum Rd to Big Hollow with our friend Nancy and 'Rob' whom we met at the trailhead and who joined us to continue on the hike thru. It was a nice easy to moderate hike over ~6.5 miles with roughly 3100' of gain under a mixture of cloud/sun skies. The trail starts off gently along an old logging type road for about 0.45 miles and then hooks a left towards the Blackhead Mountain range. The initial climb is fairly easy and as you go through the range thru Caudel, Camels Hump, Thomas Cole, Black Dome and Blackhead the trail is in nice shape with some open meadow-like and conifer ridges interspersed with ledges and cols. The cols become progressively deeper as you move through the trail and the last dip of the trail after the Black Dome summit towards parking includes a nice little set of scrambles and then some excellent views as you descend the ridge. Excellent hike which took us about 6 hours which included many photos stops, side trail excursions for views and stopping to talk with many hikers along the way. Very fun day." — deb-and-rob • Oct 25, 2014

"Doing the Blackhead range and Windham HP on a nice cool(21*) and sunny day. Started from end of Big Hollow rd up to the col and over to BD. Encountered some solid patches of ice, luckily they were easily stepped around." — Nimblefoot • Nov 20, 2013

"Peak #5 of the day hiking Windham HP & the Blackheads from Peck rd to Big Hollow rd. I left the wife on Blackhead to linger at the viewpoint while I ran over the Black Dome trail to do BD & TC." — Nimblefoot • Aug 18, 2013

"Hiked with Tom Rossner. I really enjoyed the spring on the way up to the col between Blackhead and Black Dome. I left my nalgene in Tom's car on purpose as an excuse to see him again. ;-)" — Kim-Stilson • Jun 30, 2013

"Quick romp of the 3 peaks in the range starting from the end of Big Hollow road. Everything from bare ground to ice to crusty snow then deeper snow on the tops. Microspikes helped the boots power through." — Nimblefoot • Jan 15, 2013

"Parked at the Big Hollow Road trail head. What a perfect day for hiking. Weather was outstanding for late October, sunny and mid-60's. Nice views of the clouds rolling into the valley. Turned this into a 3 peak session with a stay at the Batavia Kill lean-to shelter that night. Met a very nice group of Nurse Practitioners at the summit that took my photo for me. " — MooseHiker • Oct 26, 2012

"solo No particular goal, just decided to go somewhere where no hunters were allowed. Reclimbed Black Dome. A little ice and snow, a few flurries, a bit of sleet coming down." — barbaratraver • Oct 28, 1990

"Frank and I spotted a car then went to Barnum Rd. Climbed over Caudal, Thomas Cole, then Black Dome on Black Dome Range Trail. We drank lots of water. Frank spotted 6 partridges." — barbaratraver • Aug 27, 1988