Being the highest peak in the Catskills, Slide Mountain was on my list for quite some time. Having booked a trip to Catskill Park I used this hike as early morning choice on my second day before heading back to the city. I knew the elevation would make this a bit of a workout, but the length seemed to be reasonable for a half day.
If combining this hike with others in the Catskill’s, I’d encourage to check travel time before. My group stayed at a hotel in the Saugerties area, which was closer to Twin and Indian Head Mountain, but is about an hour drive to the Slide Mountain Trailhead. You might also lose cell signal on the way so AllTrails/Car GPS can be very useful.
The clouds started to come in around the time we got to the trail and knew that the rain wouldn’t hold off for the full loop. If weather is an issue or you find yourself short on time this trail can be easily converted into an out and back to the peak, bypassing the loop.
Be advised that this method has quite a bit of elevation gain over a short distance. The incline begins almost instantly and lasts until about a half mile out from the top. The terrain is very rocky but there is little if any scrambling required.
In total I clocked that we gained about 1,500 feet in an hour, but that was about the extent of the strenuous section. Once the trail flattens out you arrive at a forested path which is much calmer.
The tree cover is great for shade, but I will say that the biggest weakness of this trail is how obstructed the views are. The trees block most of the ridge line and this continues until the overlook point. The view from the lookout is worth it, but unfortunately it is a bit of a small space.
The ending peak of the trail has a slight view but is unfortunately blocked by mostly trees. At least this area is a great spot to eat lunch since there is more space available.
We started to feel rain as we began our descent, but luckily the tree cover helped to keep things dry. Being an out and back route, the descent was as steep as our original way up. We took a bit more time going down as the rocks can be a bit tough on the ankles.
If doing this hike again I’d be curious to see if the loop makes for a more scenic experience. I’d say this hike is still worth doing especially as a quick option but be aware that it’s a bit of a workout. I’d still include this hike in a Catskills trip, but I just wouldn’t have it as the focal point.
Who I'd Recommend This Hike To
- Those looking for a quick peak to climb
- Those looking for elevation gain or want a workout without rock scrambles
My Stats
