Balsam Mountain

The exact height of Balsam has not been determined. Its elevation is usually given as 3600 feet, the height of its highest contour.
Balsam is one of four peaks which must be climbed twice, at least once in winter, for membership in the Catskill 3500 Club.
The McKenley Hollow trail from the southeast to Balsam has the steepest stretch of trail on any ascent of a Catskill High Peak.

Routes

McKenley Hollow Trail

14 summits • 6.0 mi • 1,856 ft gain • 3 hr 12 min

Balsam Mountain 5.2 mi route

5 summits • 5.2 mi • 1,633 ft gain • 4 hr 30 min

Oliverea Mapledale (Red) - Mine Hollow (Yellow) - Pine Hollow (Blue)

4 summits • 5.5 mi • 11,046 ft gain • 4 hr 38 min

Balsam Mountain 9.7 mi route

2 summits • 9.7 mi • 2,734 ft gain • 5 hr 3 min

Balsam Mountain 10.1 mi route

1 summit • 10.1 mi • 2,549 ft gain • 4 hr 46 min

Balsam Mountain 14.5 mi route

1 summit • 14.5 mi • 3,237 ft gain • 5 hr 23 min

Balsam Mountain 6.5 mi route

1 summit • 6.6 mi • 1,905 ft gain • 4 hr 17 min

Latest summits

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"A total trail hike of Eagle and Balsam out of McKenley Hollow PA. Nearly 20* warmer today versus yesterday( 35*/52*) at 7am. Definitely quite warm today, bringing out the black flies, confirmed by the two other hikers I met today. Neither water crossing was a problem as the water levels are going down with the warmer temps and lack of serious rains. Numerous blowdowns on the trail between Haynes and Eagle that blocking the trail, need to get the maintainers out to take of them." — Nimblefoot • May 14, 2024

"Loop of Eagle and Balsam from McKenley Hollow PA. Bushwhack up to Eagle canister, trail between the peaks, bushwhack down to the leanto and trail out to car. Barely any snow on the ground at the car then up to 8-10 inches up high on Eagle then less on Balsam. Snowshoes were left in the car to save weight hoping to get by without them but they would have added some efficiency. " — Nimblefoot • Jan 12, 2024

"Loop of Eagle and Balsam from McKinley Hollow PA with Mimi and Rebecca. Started with the old woods road/bushwhack just beyond the bridge and trail register box then trails the remainder of the day. The summit of Balsam completed my Single season Fall round of the Cat35." — Nimblefoot • Dec 9, 2023

"Back to the FirBBiE with Richard on another wet soggy day. Whacked up to Fir from Burnham Hollow road then sauntered over Big Indian using the herd path(s). Leaving BI we took the right exit herd path to hit the P-W trail up the trail a ways and began to dry out as we headed over to the canister on Eagle. Onto the summit obelisk on Balsam before dropping down to McKenley Hollow road. The sun kept trying to break through the thick cloud cover and haze but it just couldn’t do it." — Nimblefoot • Jul 2, 2023

"Richard, Johnny and I did the infamous Catskill FirBBie from Burnham Hollow PA to McKenley Hollow PA. Plenty of clouds accompanied with some occasional breezes but no bugs or heat for our traverse of Fir to Balsam mountain. Wet whack up to Fir do to all the wet vegetation thanks to the previous days rain that drifted into the wee hours of today. Extra layers and even gloves were eventually donned by our leader Richard, aka Easy Way, who was getting the brunt of the wetness and wind. I, aka Monkey Shines, stayed in the rear wearing shorts and a T as bare skin dries faster than fabric…the original Gore-Tex as it breathes, it’s waterproof and as a added bonus it repairs itself. We all dried out as we cruised the herd path highway to Big Indian. From there we took the “easy way” out to the P-W trail for the wonderful stroll to Eagle, over Haynes and onto Balsam." — Nimblefoot • Jun 15, 2023

"Bushwhack and trail loop of Eagle and Balsam out of McKenley Hollow PA. Short hike up Red Hill from Denning road to fill in the afternoon. Beautiful day of sun and very warm temps( 60’s to 70’s). Snow and ice nearly all gone and some ramps are already popping up." — Nimblefoot • Apr 12, 2023

"Ed, Joe and I took a T-bone stroll up to Balsam then over Haynes on our way out to Eagle and back. After visiting the summit obelisk rock on Balsam we headed over to the view point where we found two young women trying to put up a hammock to enjoy their summit bevs. One of Joe’s high school buddies from years ago, who just happens to be the executive director of the CMC, showed up from Mine Hollow trail. We exchanged group photo taking ops with the two women. The trail over to Eagle was not as well packed down so the snow seemed deeper but not enough to warrant snowshoes. Once back to the 4-way jct we left the micro spikes on for the icy patches on our descent, some obvious while others hidden under leaves. Spring-like at the PA with temp at 45*at 9am and bare ground up to around 3000’ level then more wintry-like on the ridge with a gusty wind. Wrapped up our day with a visit to Woodstock brewing." — Nimblefoot • Feb 10, 2023

"A slushy hike with Chris on a mild winter day. A few people on the trail. Wore spikes the whole day. Parts of the trail were leafy. Nothing too sketchy. Up from Rider Hollow on Red Trail to Blue and down Yellow. " — lfrancois • Dec 30, 2022

"Mid morning start for BLM out of the Mill Brook rd PA running into my friend Yong Ae descending near the summit. Followed by a loop of Balsam with an out and back to the canister on Eagle. Noticed numerous blowdowns, some of which have been down for years, have been cut out but unfortunately new branches or trees have fallen again in the same spot." — Nimblefoot • Aug 8, 2022

"T-boned Eagle and Balsam from McKenley Hollow. Five days ago I was in 6-8 “ of snow on Panther fortunately today it was all gone and the wildflowers, trout lily and red trillium, are popping back up. Didn’t see a soul all day. Brought the silky saw and did some needed maintenance. Blue sky and sun led to stripping down to shorts, boots were overkill should have worn the trail runners. " — Nimblefoot • Apr 25, 2022