Region
Most climbed route
Highlights
- Diamond Notch Falls is the highlight of this hike. Otherwise it's just an easy bushwhack, no views to speak of.
- Bill & Elinore Leavitt were to the Catskills what Grace Hudowalski was to the Adirondack Forty Sixers. East Dix in the Adirondacks is now officially Grace Peak and Southwest Hunter in the Catskills is, or nearly is, officially Leavitt Peak.
Routes
2 climbs • 11.4 mi • 2,970 ft gain • 7 hr 8 min
1 climb • 5.9 mi • 1,729 ft gain • 5 hr 12 min
1 climb • 25.7 mi • 8,209 ft gain • 12 hr 29 min
1 climb • 6.9 mi • 1,641 ft gain • 4 hr 46 min
1 climb • 6.9 mi • 227 ft gain • 4 hr 24 min
1 climb • 9.4 mi • 2,331 ft gain • 5 hr 40 min
Latest climbs
"Mimi and I did a loop of the two Hunters starting on the Devils Path and finishing on the Spruceton trail. A beautiful blue sky sunny day that started off in the single digits then warmed up to nearly 30*. We went light by leaving the snowshoes in the car and taking only micro spikes which never got used. Nice quiet day where we only saw two other hikers all day." — Nimblefoot • Dec 26, 2024
"Spruceton loop of 4- West Kill, SW Hunter, Hunter and Rusk. Traversed over the summit of East Rusk to get to the canister on Rusk. The herd path from the Spruceton trail over to Rusk is getting more and more obvious allowing for a swift traverse. On West Kill I earned day # 354 out of 366 for the 35R Everyday challenge." — Nimblefoot • Oct 7, 2024

"Devils Path Traverse East-to-West, with bonus miles up Hunter and SW Hunter, today June 8th. Azaleas in bloom along the eastern half of the range added a splash of color to the morning. A big,stoic bear lingered around Mink Hollow when we passed through. There’s great, flowing water just west of Mink Hollow at 42.13846, -74.16486, but this is the only reliable water on the eastern ridge until the spigot at Stony Clove Notch. The trail west of Stony passes many running sources right now, so no refill worries on that side. Hunter and SW Hunter were lively in the afternoon, so we didn’t linger. Mud was mostly minimal along the trail save for the regular culprit spots, like between Devils Acre and Geiger Point, and navigating these mini bogs was straightforward. Bugs were minimal until late afternoon when winds subsided, and the late-day feasters were largely of the mosquitoe variety. Nettles added a little extra discomfort to the trail, and they were particularly bad hiking out of stony clove towards Devils Acre. In general the trail seemed a bit brushier than usual throughout. Tick hitchhikers are a real concern right now. Check those crevices when you’re done with your hikes! 👀" — wacbravo • Jun 8, 2024
"Roughly 20 hikers affiliated with Hikers Anonymous met at the Spruceton TH for a loop hike of SW Hunter and Hunter. The occasion was to celebrate Mimi’s( aka Cream Puff) 1260 or third 420 Grid on the summit of Hunter. Two folks, Connie and Paul, took the onesie option of doing just Hunter mtn via the Spruceton trail. Tom and myself brought our wives and Sherri encouraged her two young sons join us and get two peaks they need for their first round of the Cat35. Also in the party was the legend herself and my long-time hiking partner Marguerite(aka Itty Bitty). She is nearing the completion of her own 840 Grid at the youthful age of 83 and still providing an example for all of us youngsters(!).
It was a casual chat-fest hike to SW Hunter via the Devils Path and old rail bed. Old friends catching up on hikes past and present and others meeting each other for the first time and finding out who is behind that alias. Once most folks reached the canister on SWH and signed in it was time to take more group photos both serious and silly. On to the Hunter mountain summit, peak number 1260 for Mimi.
At the summit with the fire tower as background we formed the classic arch of trekking..." — Nimblefoot • May 26, 2024
"A loop of the two Hunters and Rusk after clearing two small blowdowns on my adopted section of the Diamond Notch trail. Getting some peaks for a winter round before the “Big Storm” comes in a day or two. Overnight flurries that continued into the early AM put a dusting of snow on the ground hiding the various ice patches leading to micro spikes going on and off all day. Wonderful day looking like a winter wonderland on the ground and blue patches with bright sun in the sky." — Nimblefoot • Jan 5, 2024
"Sherri and I joined Richard in getting his last three peaks to close out the month of December for his grid. Beautiful day in the winter wonderland with snow still hanging on the trees. Fortunately all trails and the rail bed/herd path to SWH were broken out making for work for us. The knuckleheads who broke a track over East Rusk to Rusk and down to the Spruceton trail need to improve their game in trail braking. It was great that they did it but they plowed through stuff that was totally unnecessary and missed the entire herd path coming off of Rusk. Great day of laughs, giggles and the occasional slip and fall that we labeled as performance art in the slippery powdery snow." — Nimblefoot • Dec 13, 2023
"Getting the two Hunters for a single season Fall round of the Cat35 using the Becker Hollow trail. Nice sunny day with the warm temps melting the dusting of snow at the lower elevations from several days ago." — Nimblefoot • Dec 8, 2023

"There were alot of people on the trail
I did it from th devils tombstone lot.
the initial ascent was unspeakably steep. After it leveled off, there was plenty of ridge walking.
I had lunch with a couple of fellas at the Devil's Acre lean to. They were staying the night after climbing Hunter.
It was seriously cold on the herd path to the peak.
I had a wonderful day, and was able to get back to my car in daylight." — HeyJoe • Nov 10, 2023
"Loop of the two Hunters and the two summits of Rusk with Richard and Pat on a lovely day. My first time hiking with Pat and she is certainly a new friend. She is a local, knows all the who what and where of the Catskills, and likes to cook and bake. Richard and I got our fill of her delicious home made chocolate chip cookies….one per peak plus some extras…my kind of hike(!)." — Nimblefoot • Aug 23, 2023
"Original plan was to do West Kill, the two Hunters and Rusk in a loop. With a late start and a casual pace all day I decided to call it a day after getting to the canister on SW Hunter. To avoid hiking up the Devils Path and to save time with a direct route I whacked up to SWH from the bridge at Diamond Notch falls. Need to make improvements to avoid the thick treed areas with rock outcroppings otherwise the route was a nice change.
Bumped into Tom and Sarah(aka Mochi Combo and Beginner on Ha!) on my way up West Kill. They were out doing the West Six, Sherrill to Rusk, then adding Halcott as a cherry on top for long day." — Nimblefoot • May 16, 2023