Roundtop Mountain

"Peter, Francine, Donna, Mimi and I did a loop of RT and KHP from the end of Gillespie road. Warmed up nicely today and was much clearer sky so we actually see where we were going compared to yesterday’s cold overcast windy day with minimal visibility. We all stayed upright wearing just micro spikes as the snow and ice were more forgiving. No unplanned slides today. After lunch I did a solo hike of WHP to finish up the day. A fair amount of ice on the trail that was covered by a thin layer of snow but I managed to do most of the round trip bare booting." — Nimblefoot • Feb 26, 2023

"Another balmy day in the Catskills with temps in the upper 30’s. Bit of a breeze on the summits made it feel a bit more like winter despite the bare ground. Up over Roundtop then onto the canister on KHP from Gillespie road for a 3 hr round trip stroll. Found more old blue paint blazes on my ascent of RT than I’ve found in the past." — Nimblefoot • Jan 18, 2023

"First up was a saunter up to Roundtop from Gillespie road via woods road and bushwhack. Then an out and back to the canister on KHP via herdpath after dropping straight down from Roundtop. Back to the car and off to Moonhaw road PA for a quick climb of Friday where I encountered numerous hikers descending as I was attempting to motor uphill to the turnoff at the pregnant tree. Quick visit to the canister then descend with urgency." — Nimblefoot • Oct 27, 2022

"Back to KHP with Itty Bitty in tow for her to close out the month of August for her grid. She said she wouldn’t mind adding Roundtop to the hike so we strolled over the little bump on our way to the taller one. The woods were quiet today except for a stray airplane in the distance and the noon whistle from the local fire house." — Nimblefoot • Aug 25, 2022

"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

"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

"A loop hike using the sno-mo trail and Gillespie road with a whack in between. Fairly easy ascent avoiding rock ledges or any steep pitches. Bumped into a solid track, near the summit, from several days ago most likely originating from the end of Gillespie road. Nice plunge down to the end lot on Gillespie making my own route then a short road walk on the unplowed portion of the road. The DEC or DEP opened a new “winter” lot for a few cars while I was out playing." — Nimblefoot • Jan 28, 2022

"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

"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