Elevation
3,655 ft / 1,114 m
Region
Most climbed route
Snowmobile Trail from Platte Clove Rd., Kaaterskill High Peak Trailil
9.2 mi • 47,106 ft gain
Highlights
- 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
22 climbs • 9.2 mi • 47,106 ft gain • 4 hr 47 min
5 climbs • 11.5 mi • 2,572 ft gain • 5 hr 40 min
2 climbs • 0.4 mi • 618 ft gain • 29 min
2 climbs • 9.2 mi • 1,817 ft gain • 5 hr 25 min
Latest climbs
"A fun loop hike of Roundtop and KHP with Tom2, Mimi and Danielle. We were able to drive to the very end of Gillespie road unlike the last time I did Roundtop in early Dec ‘24 after the big snow storm “before” winter. Wearing micro spikes and carrying snowshoes, in case of any deep drifts, we ascended straight up RT to the cairn which wasn’t buried this time. Over to the view then straight down the fall line to the low point between the peaks. The lose fluffy snow made the descent a spirited plunge as we were in controlled slides most of the time. An easy saunter up to the can on KHP, no visit to Hurricane ledge or the upper airplane crash, then returned on our broken track. We side swiped RT, bearing to the left, for less ellie gain and mileage. Micro spikes all day so the ‘shoes went unharmed." — Nimblefoot • Jan 10, 2025
"A fine Fall day for doing a twosie of Roundtop and KHP from Gillespie road. Fall colors are out and already getting significant leaf drop. Wet leaves combined with roots parallel to one's direction often leads to sudden unplanned slips and slides followed by salty language." — Nimblefoot • Oct 5, 2024
"My long time hiking buddy, the Catskill legend Itty Bitty, needed RT and KHP for her single season summer round. She asked for my assistance as we haven’t hiked together in many months and she is no longer comfortable doing the full bushwhack by herself.
Started and ended at the PA at the end of Gillespie road, known as Gillespie #2. Marguerite just turned 83 a few weeks ago but is still banging out the peaks all be it at a much slower steady pace. Up to the little cairn atop Roundtop then a straight whack to KHP, where we ran into other hikers looking for either the plane crash or Hurricane ledge.
On our way back we bypassed re-climbing RT by dropping down and whacking around to return to the old woods road we took on our way in. A nice quiet day in the woods. " — Nimblefoot • Aug 27, 2024
"A rapid loop of Roundtop and KHP from Gillespie road with Tom R. Roundtop first then over to KHP using the variety of herd paths. On our way back we dropped down to Hurricane ledge to take in the view then whacked back to the network of herd paths to continue toward RT. Once close we whacked down to the northern leg of the sno-mo trail loop to work our way through numerous water hazards to reach the “Y”. From there we whacked toward Gillespie road hitting the old woods we initially took on our way in. Short stroll on the road brought us back to our cars in just over 3 hrs of hiking." — Nimblefoot • Aug 12, 2024
"A solo twosie of Roundtop and KHP from the end of Gillespie road. With recent rains the nettles are coming up in big patches so itchy and scratchy were hiking buddies today. Round trip of just over 3 hrs of a mix of woods road, bushwhack and herd path(s). The herd paths are getting closer to looking like unmarked trails now that Roundtop has become a popular peak thanks in part to Hikers Anonymous(Ha!).
Met Lorraine and Scott on my way up to KHP, after visiting Roundtop, then ran into Pat Johnson and three friends on my way back toward Roundtop. With creative whacking I was the first one back to the cars despite being the last one to leave, the key being to whack around RT on your way back instead of re-climbing it.
" — Nimblefoot • Jul 11, 2024
"Seven of us rendezvoused at the end of Gillespie road for an off trail loop of Roundtop and KHP. As usual we did see a variety of blue blazes of the old trail on our way up to the cairn marking the summit of Roundtop. Down to the small view looking toward KHP, that was the inspiration for Thomas Cole’s famous painting, then dropped straight down and eventually pickup a herd path. After signing into the canister on KHP we dropped down to the plane crash site, for some folks to see it for the first time, then down to the small view out toward the Hudson River. Back up to Hurricane ledge for a lengthy lunch break in the sunshine, quite nap inducing.
A final whack brought us back to the cars by 1:30 and only 5 miles under our feet so I had time for a solo romp up Rusk mountain that I need for the month of May. Feeling frisky and using a herd path for efficiency I was able to put in a round trip hike, after a short chat with a friend in the PA, in under two hours. Unfortunately the time I saved was spent an hour later changing a punctured rear tire to a “donut” spare tire in the parking lot of Kenco outdoor store. Plus driving only 50 mph the rest of the way home was both tedious a..." — Nimblefoot • May 17, 2024
"Seven of us headed out from the end of Gillespie road and took the usual woods road to right to reach the property line. From there up to the Snowmobile trail as usual then headed gradually up toward KHP going around RT for a change of pace. Onto the herd path to the canister on KHP with flurries in the air and a thin layer of quickly melting snow on the ground.
Back down the herd path to the base of RT then again for a change of pace we headed straight up to the view that looks toward KHP before strolling up the final pitch to the summit cairn. We celebrated with food treats and the handing out of Single Season winter patches to three individuals thanks to the home office of Hikers Anonymous. We Hike A Lot It’s Not A Problem.
A quick descent, with spikes on for extra grip in the slippery leaves, down to the Sno-mo trail then down to the woods road and out to our cars. A short and easy day with plenty of laughs and giggles. Clouds with flurries to sunshine then back to clouds and flurries, almost Spring!
" — Nimblefoot • Mar 20, 2024
"Despite the brisk temperature of 2* Kelly, Rebecca, Tom and I enjoyed a romp of the Majestic Roundtop and Kaaterskill HP. The presence of the bright sun and absolute absence of wind helped us enjoy the day, particularly the view of KHP from Roundtop. Fortunately Gillespie road was plowed all the way to the end eliminating any road walking to start. We made the executive decision to go with just spikes and leave the snowshoes safely in the cars but upon leaving the old woods road and ascending towards RT we all thought “huh maybe we should’nt have” as we broke through the crust into the powder. More snow the decision will be easier as right now it’s borderline." — Nimblefoot • Jan 15, 2024
"Leading Itty Bitty to RT and KHP through 6 inches of fresh fluff to finish her single season Fall round. Gillespie wasn’t fully plowed so I parked at the first PA then we walked the 0.4 miles to the PA at the end of the road. Beautiful sunny blue sky day to play in a winter wonderland. Barefooted all day in slippery snow that hid underlying rocks and sticks that provided plenty of potential of slips and falls.
" — Nimblefoot • Dec 12, 2023
"Getting KHP and Roundtop for Itty Bitty for her single season summer round with a loop from Gillespie road. Bushwhack to the sno-mo trail and up to the old Twilight trail to reach the canister on KHP. Herd path over toward Roundtop then whack to the canister-free summit. After a bite to eat we whacked down to the old woods road which we used to stroll out to the car. Wet under foot from overnight/early AM rain while the sky provided blue and puffy clouds making a nice day with an old friend." — Nimblefoot • Sep 12, 2023