Blackhead

"Christy led four of us on a T-bone hike of the Blackhead Range. We encountered enough ice to warrant putting on the microspikes. We did Blackhead first where I finished the month of a November and received the first single-season Fall triangle patch from Tom. Back to the viewpoint to take in the fine view then continue out to Black Dome then Thomas Cole where we had our lunch catered by Mimi. " — Nimblefoot • Nov 23, 2019

"Excellent day to be out playing in the Cats with the colors still out boldly. Nice sunny sky to start then as the noon hour approached the sun took a nap behind some thick clouds and a breeze kicked up close to the summits. One sad sight in the Lockwood gap area along the Black Dome range trail. Some knucklehead brought up a can of orange spray paint and left marks on the rocks and trees up to the view looking over to Blackhead." — Nimblefoot • Oct 11, 2019

"Did a T-bone hike of the three peaks of the Black Dome range followed by an out and back of Windham High Peak. A beautiful blue sky sunny day allowing for decent views. Just above the Elm Ridge leanto on my way up WHP I ran into two friends talking to a DEC Ranger who was dealing with an illegally pitched tent and large campfire right on the trail. The culprits disappeared before the Ranger arrived unfortunately. The tent appeared to be something purchased at Wally World( Wal-Mart) so I doubt they will return for it." — Nimblefoot • Sep 15, 2019

"Tom and I did a scattershot of WHP and the Black Dome range. First a bushwhack loop of WHP using the new DEP land off Big Hollow road then moved down to the end of the road where we found PA already full of cars do to the holiday week I guess. Did the usual out and back to visit BD and TC from Lockwood gap then as a change of pace we dropped down the Escarpment trail off of BH to return to my car. Just below the summit we ran into a small crew doing some serious rock work, talked with a partner of Ed Walsh’s Tahawus trail work company. Nice start to our summer round of the 35 and the Stinging Nettle triangle patch." — Nimblefoot • Jul 1, 2019

"Tom and I did a “T-bone “ hike of Black Dome, Thomas Cole and Blackhead out of Lockwood Gap. An overcast day with ocassional holes of sunny blue sky and breezy with cooler than normal temps. Fortunately no serious rain fell so we could enjoy our hike without deploying rain gear. In the afternoon Paul joined Tom for whack of Windham HP while I headed over to Rt 42 for a climb of Halcott." — Nimblefoot • Jun 14, 2019

"A glorious day of blue sky and sunshine despite a less favorable forecast of clouds and rain showers. After an out and back of Black Dome and Thomas Cole I headed up to Blackhead to complete the range for the month of May and peaks #27-29 towards the Spring Trillium patch. Near the lookout back towards Black Dome I noticed the DEC or someone else flagged the tops of all the rebar used years ago to hold the rock steps in place. I always wondered if anyone ever tripped on those as they stick out way too much and need to be removed or pounded in further. Some clouds are slowly rolling in so it’s time to skidaddle back down to the gap, where I slip by the Koreans who are heading out themselves, and back to the PA before any serious rain occurs." — Nimblefoot • May 29, 2019

"Out and back of the Blackhead Range today. 10 miles and 3500 feet of gain. The day was truly beautiful and clear. I wore trail crampons all the way. This was the toughest I’ve done solo. Officially at 24/39 for my Catskills 3500. " — pandyabear • Mar 9, 2019

"Five of us out on a beautiful sunny day doing a loop of the Black Dome range. We set new tracks up from Big Hollow road to Lockwood Gap where we found a track heading to Blackhead from Black Dome. Just above the gap we ran into the two makers of the track coming down from BH, they had left Barnum road around 6 am, heading for their second vehicle at the end of a Big Hollow road. Nice clear sky allowed for great views and photo ops. Our descent back to the gap was a bit tricky as the snow wasn’t deep enough for a good glissade so instead we got the slip and grip nonsense." — Nimblefoot • Mar 5, 2019

"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

"Hiked with Tom. We didn't start hiking until almost 11am. The parking lot was filled with cars. We did a loop hike of only Blackhead. We stopped at the viewpoint after the summit before heading down into the col. The weather was nice, but there were some clouds while we were up there. The foliage was nice, but won't be peak for another week probably. Nice easy hike. " — Kim-Stilson • Oct 6, 2018

"Hiked with Kim. We got a late start and the parking lot was packed because it was a holiday weekend. Considering how full the parking lot was I expected to see a lot more people on the trails, but luckily we were able to enjoy the trails and the viewpoint before the descent without too many people. Weather was nice and the foliage is approaching peak. We did a loop up Batavia Kill to the Escarpment trail and down the range trail. " — LGH-Tom • Oct 6, 2018

"Dutcher Notch Trail - Arizona Mtn. - Blackhead Mtn. | and back. The mosquitoes and the loose rocks on Dutcher Notch trail were bad, but the trail beyond that was fantastic. Went up to scope out locations for an upcoming photo assignment [Escarpment Trail Run]." — SR-Shilling • Jul 21, 2018

"We did a horseshoe hike of Windham High Peak and the Blackhead range. Starting at Peck road and finishing at Barnum road. While we took a break at the junction of the Escarpment and Batavia Kill trails a gentleman came up the Batavia Kill and continued on toward Blackhead, he was the only other hiker we would see all day. On our ascent of Blackhead we picked up his printed map in a zip lock and returned it to him just below the rock ledge with a view back towards WHP. He seemed quite relieved to get it back. During our lunch break on the summit of Blackhead he passed us heading on for Black Dome and Thomas Cole." — Nimblefoot • Jul 3, 2018

"I was joined by Steve and Ed for a romp on the Blackhead range today. Strapped on the snowshoes right from the get go to hike over to the normal PA and then onto the trail proper. The climb up to Lockwood gap went smoothly on a packed trail then on our climb to the summit we got hit with a strong breeze that stung our faces and drifted any loose snow from recent flurries. On our descent we found our tracks completely filled in in spots. " — Nimblefoot • Apr 6, 2018

"Laura, Steve, Tim and I went out and played in the snow. We initially started off bare booting up to Lockwood gap then switched to snowshoes just prior to the spring. We almost didn’t bring the SS as we haven’t been even carrying them for the last two weeks or so. The weekend snowfall brought enough fluff to warrant deploying the SS to at least stay above the underlying ice and get some grip. Above the gap we engaged in the winter treat of trail breaking to the view off of Blackhead and on to the summit. On our descent the clouds began to lift allowing for some views and the sighting of distant sunshine." — Nimblefoot • Feb 6, 2018

"Out on a solo hike tagging the three peaks in the Blackhead range. After returning to Lockwood gap from Thomas Cole I headed up to Blackhead to finish the day. Only a few other hikers out on such a nice day." — Nimblefoot • Dec 16, 2017

"The five of us enjoyed a nice wintry stomp acrossed the Blackhead range. Blue sky and bright sun overhead and powdery snow under our feet. A quick tag of the summit and back to the gap slipping, sliding and occasionally skiing the steeper sections." — Nimblefoot • Feb 4, 2017

"We traversed Thomas Cole,Black Dome and Blackhead from Elmer Barnum road to Big Hollow road. From the summit of Black Dome we were joined by a young woman who was working on her Catskill 3500 quest and gave her a lift back to her car on Elmer Barnum road. " — Nimblefoot • Nov 13, 2016

"A thru-hike from Big Hollow road to Elmer Barnum road. We avoided the ice on the Escarpment trail but still from some nice water ice below Lockwood gap and some on the long windy section between the view and the summit. Early spring day!" — Nimblefoot • Mar 8, 2016