Southwest Hunter Mountain

"I got a later than planned start from home so when I got to the Spruceton trail TH I found the lot nearly full. Surprisingly there was a solo hiker signed in to do the same peaks I had planned and right before me a couple doing Rusk and it’s East peak. Most folks are usually bound for the tower on Hunter. Once I left the trail at the hairpin curve I headed straight up toward Rusk passing the couple who seemed to be a bit befuddled on which way to go. With the leaves down it was harder to discern the usual herd path from just any opening between trees. I just headed up at a relaxed pace making any necessary corrections as I neared the summit. Signed into the canister then headed over the east peak wearing an orange safety vest just in case. Once back on the trail I took off the vest and enjoyed the climb to the summit tower without getting slapped and poked. As luck would have it a few minutes after reaching the tower and cabin a friend arrived leading a small group who were celebrating one woman’s completion of her 3-season 35er. They proceeded to pull out all sorts of goodies and beverages. After chatting with Lyn,taking some group photos and witnessing the presentation of the pat..." — Nimblefoot • Nov 16, 2019

"Late start for a loop of the two Hunters. Then when I signed into the register I saw two friends, Yong Ae and Christy, had already signed in for same loop with Christy adding Rusk. I figured with a good steady pace I may catch up to Christy but not Yong Ae unless she took a long lunch break on Hunter. After signing into the can on SWH then taking a selfie at the tower on Hunter I ran down the Spruceton trail hoping to catch up one of them. Surprisingly mid way between the usual take off point for the east peak of Rusk and the hairpin turn I caught up to Christy. She explained that she wanted to avoid East Rusk and do Rusk from the hairpin turn. Once we got to the curve she asked me if I wanted to join her...I couldn’t say no." — Nimblefoot • Aug 5, 2019

"Tom, Anna, Yong Ae and myself hiked the classic loop of SW Hunter, Hunter, Rusk East and Rusk starting on the Spruceton trail and finishing with a short road walk. This was a special day for Anna and Yong Ae as they finished their single season Spring round of the Catskill 35 therefore awarded the first two Spring triangle patches from Hikers Anonymous. Prior to finishing on SWH we enjoyed a catered lunch on the summit of Hunter compliments of Yong Ae. Replete with tablecloth, plates and flatware to enjoy chicken wings, spring rolls with dipping sauce, seaweed wraps with rice, kimchi made with local ramps and boc choi, coconut cookies and ginger tea. On SWH their arrival was videotaped with the two ladies wearing green triangular hats emblazoned with their trail names of Daisy and Wildflower and Yong Ae banging a gong. Plenty of Woo hoos and silly poses were added to the occasion." — Nimblefoot • Jun 6, 2019

"Loop of SW Hunter and Hunter on a nice sunny day. Bugs were not an issue today with the temps rising into the 70’s. Heading to the canister on the old rail bed I ran into and chatted with Ken who out doing the same loop only barefooted. As I left the canister I could hear voices west of the herdpath, turns out to be a group who missed the path and had to bushwhack back through the thick trees to find the canister....oopsie." — Nimblefoot • May 27, 2019

"Tom and I doing a loop of SW Hunter and Hunter on a rather cool and breezy day. Spiked up the Devils Path, from Spruceton road, to the rail bed then switched to snowshoes for walk into the canister. No lollygagging today just sign in and boogie back to the DP." — Nimblefoot • Feb 26, 2019

"Cold start to the hike & the bottom sections of the trail were very icy prompting spikes. The upper sections of the trail had decent snow pack & thankfully hard enough to scoot across. SW Hunter is considered a bushwhack hike but has a pretty well defined trail to the wooded summit & cannister." — billsussdorff • Feb 9, 2019

"Nine of us met at the left hand PA on Spruceton road, for Rusk/Hunter, to do a loop of SWH and Hunter. A road walk to start then up to the falls where we put on our spikes before jumping onto the Devils Path. A brisk AM ( 12* ) but the blue sky, sunshine and the climb warmed us up nicely with a few stops for costume changes. We set first tracks for the day along the railbed and up the HP in a couple inches of fluff. Only met one other hiker, at the railbed/HP junction, so far on such a nice day." — Nimblefoot • Jan 12, 2019

"Went on a big ole loop hike starting at the western end of the Devil's Path, going over St Anne's, West Kill, SW Hunter and then finally Hunter. There was a dusting of snow on my climb up St. Anne's and over to West Kill but it melted not to long after that. Diamond Notch Falls was roaring and the clouds and lighting from Hunter was superb. Quite a few people out on the trails for a mid-october Friday, but it was quite the beautiful day. Finished the trip off with a three mile road walk and a stop in at the West Kill Brewery." — Right-On • Oct 19, 2018

"Laura, Steve and I were joined by Laura’s dog Lilly for a pleasant romp of SW Hunter and Hunter mountains. Laura graciously took the lead which involved clearing all the spiderwebs that stretched across the trail. A little warm on the climb then more pleasant higher up. Laura was surprised how easy it was to follow the old rail bed and herd path, like an unmarked trail. " — Nimblefoot • Sep 4, 2018

"Out getting the two Hunters and the Cornels Chair as a break from work and chores. Sunny day to start quickly drifted over to overcast which was fine as it was fairly warm day. DEC construction crew installing new posts and signs at the two PAs. Nice quiet day hiking solo." — Nimblefoot • Jul 30, 2018

"A wet clown hike of Hunter and SW Hunter after helping with the 3500 Club litter pickup along Rt 214. The light rain falling all day left us a bit soggy despite wearing rain jacket and pants. After a quick lunch break on Hunter while hiding behind the cabin, to get out of the gusty wind , we head over to the rail bed on SW Hunter. We took a brief respite in the Devil Acre leanto to escape the rain and ingesting more calories on the way. The notebook in the canister is damp from previous visitors making it difficult to get all our six names in it without tearing the paper, another wet clown hike moment. A second respite at the leanto then down the infamous Devils Path which is a little more devilish today with the rain making the rocks, roots and leaves slippery on our way toward Rt 214. " — Nimblefoot • May 19, 2018

"Not a bad day for a hike. Not too cold. Weren't any views due to the cloud cover. Hiked with a friend from work and another friend. Could have used crampons above 3500' but we managed with mircrospikes. " — LGH-Topple • Jan 30, 2018

"The Catskill Four did a loop of Southwest Hunter, Hunter and Rusk mountains from Spruceton road. Warm right from the start but not too bad. Quick in and out on the old railbed." — Nimblefoot • Jun 13, 2017

"Tom, Laura and I did a loop of SW Hunter, Hunter and Rusk on a beautiful sunny day. The day warmed up enough in the early morning to strip down to shorts and t-shirts. Very little ice/snow seen or encountered so far." — Nimblefoot • Apr 24, 2017

"A nice icy romp along the Devil's Path. The herd path along the final climb to the canister is like an ice luge in one section, and I did a beautiful- albeit unintentional- butt slide on the descent. " — wacbravo • Jan 18, 2017

"A slippery snowy romp up from Rt 214. Got a late start so only did SWH and had pass on doing Hunter. Snow depth is such that bare booting is rather clumsy since you can't tell what is hidden under the snow, leading to slips/slides and forward lurches, and not really deep enough for comfortable snowshoeing...argh! Quiet day with snow flurries that turned to steady snowfall at times, didn't see a soul except in the parking lot." — Nimblefoot • Dec 30, 2016

"Tom, Steve and I did a loop of Rusk, East Rusk, Hunter and SW Hunter from the Spruceton TH. After climbing the fire tower and eating lunch on Hunter we headed down to the Devils Path to visit our 4th and final peak and sign in to our second gizmo. " — Nimblefoot • Sep 24, 2016

"Bagging Southwest Hunter for Andy's W3500 finish. Celebrated with gourmet cookies and Prosecco. While the others headed back to the trailhead on Spruceton road, Steve and I head to Hunter mtn." — Nimblefoot • Feb 19, 2016

"First hike of the day. Concerned about finding the herd path. While on the trail, noticed a herd path leading off. I decided to follow it, and a little ways down, it became an obvious herd path. Signed in at the canister on the summit, making it my 4th Catskill peak. No views from the summit. " — newenglandwarrior • Jul 20, 2015

"A short trip to Leavitt with my sister to knock another one off of her list. Herdpath was blatant and cairns marked both turns. My first ascent in a month where there wasn't any snow. " — LGH-Tom • Jun 2, 2014