Kaaterskill High Peak

Until the late 19th century, Kaaterskill High Peak was considered to be the highest in the Catskills until Slide Mountain was found to possess that honor. In fact, Kaaterskill High Peak is only 23rd highest in the range. It does have 4th most prominence.

Routes

Snowmobile Trail from Platte Clove Rd., Kaaterskill High Peak Trailil

22 summits • 9.2 mi • 47,106 ft gain • 4 hr 47 min

Long Path, Snowmobile trail, bushwhack

5 summits • 11.5 mi • 2,572 ft gain • 5 hr 40 min

Kaaterskill High Peak 11.2 mi route

1 summit • 11.2 mi • 2,146 ft gain • 4 hr 37 min

Kaaterskill High Peak 9.2 mi route

1 summit • 9.2 mi • 1,817 ft gain • 5 hr 38 min

Latest summits

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"Getting these two peaks for Itty Bitty at 80 yrs young and 90#s of let’s git er done. Took the long rocky slog all the way out to the sno-mo loop trail then onto the old blue-blazed twilight trail to reach the can on KHP. Herd path out and back to Roundtop then returned via the shortcut down the ridge from KHP and herd path out to the LP. She is recovering well from various heart issues though age has slowed the French midget(her words) down quite a bit but at least the tenacity is still burning." — Nimblefoot • Jun 6, 2022

"Getting BP, Vly and KHP for the month of May of my 4th grid. BP and Vly in the AM where I didn’t see a soul then relocated over to Platte Clove road to do KHP in the afternoon. As expected I met other hikers doing either KHP or Huckleberry Point though they were heading out while I was just heading in. Nice day in the Cats with comfortable temps do to cloud cover causing the sun to play hide and seek and no annoying bugs flying around my head." — Nimblefoot • May 25, 2022

"Did an out and back of KHP and it’s little buddy Roundtop from the TH off of Platte Clove road. The profile of the two is seen from numerous points in the Catskills. The trail portion had some wet spots especially on my way back as the day warmed up. Took the herd path over to sno-mo loop trail, crossed it then up the SE ridge as usual. More folks are doing Roundtop for the Cat100 or the Grid as there are more obvious herd paths between the peaks. Completed the day with a hike up Plateau as it’s right nearby and needed for my 4-season grid(round #10)." — Nimblefoot • Apr 29, 2022

"Microspikes all day. Barely any snow in the PA and the snow up high is compressed with a heavy crust so the snowshoes stayed in the car. Quick saunter over to Roundtop after topping out on KHP via the south ridge with ice in the ramp. On my way back to KHP I decide to descend via the old twilight trail as I didn’t bring my webbing for the ramp. Some serious ice in spots that I bushwhacked around as my sacrificial Hillsounds are a bit dull. Hopped onto the sno-mo trail to pickup the herd path short cut and back out to the trail." — Nimblefoot • Feb 20, 2022

"Around 20 degrees, light wind, partly cloudy. Embarked out of Huckleberry Point Trailhead, packed down trail but spikes needed. Steady incline for the first couple miles (follow the right way on the forks to stay off private land), then hit a flat trail on the outer loop for a mile before steep ascent / scrambling to the summit. East of the summit is a nice lookout and a plane crash 100 ft off the trail to the north. South of the summit are even better views at Hurricane Ledge. Turned around and went back the way we came up, except circled part of the inner loop to the East, where I wish we had snowshoes. Didn't bother looking for the second plane crash on the inner loop, met back up with the main trail with 2 miles to go. Overall great hike, amazing views in all directions, technical final ascent. 8.85 miles in 4 hours, 2,480 ft total elevation gain." — gregoryskiba • Jan 23, 2022

"A cloudy and wet winter hike with Maryellen and Nancy. Up the sketchy Hurricane Ledge!! Woah! Flashbacks of Catamount! Did a little bushwhacking! Took icy, but less intense way down!" — lfrancois • Dec 30, 2021

"A nice loop of RT and KHP for my old hiking buddy Marguerite, aka Itty Bitty, working on a single season Fall round. A mix of bushwhacking and trails. After the lone hunter returning to his truck in the PA we didn’t see a soul all day on a nice day with normal brisk temps." — Nimblefoot • Nov 23, 2021

"Discovered both plane wreckages on Kaaterskill High Peak and it finally felt like a humid summer day for a change. One wreckage was May of 1983, a Piper PA flown by Rex Miller and another cargo plane from June of 1987. Both crashes were weather related and unfortunately no one survived either incident. About 10 or so miles today total with all the exploring and bushwhacking. I really enjoyed the steep climb up the south end of Hurricane Ledge after encountering the first plane crash. Lots of frogs and chipmunks were to be seen today and the foliage in some spots dare I say it is changing already. Another Catskill 3500 checked off the list. " — scottturner • Aug 7, 2021

"Out on a beautiful day with Itty Bitty. She needed Roundtop for her single season spring while I needed KHP for my 3rd grid, peak #420 of 420. Easy open whack up to RT from the sno-mobile trail then a steep fast descent down from the viewpoint looking towards KHP. Startled a Robin on her nest on a rock shelf with 4 blue eggs. We followed HPs most of the way to the canister on KHP for another easy stroll with minimal pokes and scratches. Down to Hurricane ledge for lunch then back up to the canister to take the old twilight trail down to the sno-mo trail and out to our cars. While talking to a guy and gal at the canister a second gent comes up and upon seeing the canister nearly jumps for joy. Always good to see even grown adults jubilant upon making their first ascent....woo Hoo!! " — Nimblefoot • May 21, 2021

"Six of us joined Peter for a loop of Kaaterskill HP and Roundtop. He finished his first Catskill 420 grid on Roundtop. After walking under the ceremonial arch of trekking poles and presentation of his patch we sauntered over to a view of the Devils Path to enjoy some munchkins, ice cream sandwiches and fruit pops. Then bushwhacked back our cars and headed to Mama’s Boy for burgers and sides." — Nimblefoot • Apr 24, 2021