Giant Ledge & Panther Mtn Hike

On Sunday, I broke camp at Devil's Tombstone Campground south of Hunter and drove down to the trailhead south of Oliveria/Big Indian.  I arrived at about 8:35AM and got ready.  I waited until just before 9AM just in case anyone showed up (there had been no sign-ups, but I hadn't been connected since Friday).

Like the day before it was hazy and even hotter and even more humid!  The trailhead was slightly up the road and across the street from the parking area.  The trail meanders through the woods for a short distance crossing a couple of wood bridges.  Thereafter the grade moderately steepened and continued up to the trail junction with the Panther/Giant Ledge trail (0.7 miles) where it flattened out.  It was 9:15 when I reached the junction and it continued to be relatively flat for the next 0.3-0.4 miles, when it then started to climb up to the broad top of Giant Ledge.  This portion of the trail was rocky and in very short section it was moderately steep.  At 9:40AM I reached the first of more than a half dozen open ledges with sweeping views into the eastern section of the Slide Mountain Wilderness.  I ran across a number of folks camping up on the ledges, but few day hikers during the trip.  Anyway, there were also views towards Slide Mountain and Burroughs Range to the north as well as a glimpse of Panther Mountain to the south.  I explored each of these very steep ledges for a short time before continuing on towards Panther Mountain.  Since this was an out-an-back trip, I would spend more time on Giant Ledge on the return when the lighting was a little better.

The trail off the north side of Giant ledge was rocky and steep only in a very short stretch of trail.  After that the grade was mostly easy through the col and then was only moderate as it started up Panther.  On the way up Panther, I encountered a very short side trail out to a small ledge, which provided nice views back over Giant Ledge and to the Burroughs Range (Slide).  I reached the summit at about 10:50AM.  There was a rock outcropping just before the summit and a even nicer ledge just after, which provided nice eastward views.

I returned via the same path stopping once again to explore the ledges on Giant Ledge and I made it back to the trailhead parking by 12:30PM and called it a day.

This was a beautiful moderate hike of about 7-7.5 miles.  I could see why it was considered generally so popular.  It may have been the heat and humidity, that had kept people away that particular day, but it was well worth it...and it knocks another 3500 peak off the list!  This trip concluded a beautiful weekend in the Catskills!

Join me for this modest out-and-back hike to the numerous ledges of Giant Ledge and to the mostly treed summit of Panther Mountain (3720').  This hike is a very popular destination during the summer months as its not too difficult and provides a number of very good views over the surronding Catskills...some of the best in the region.  We'll start at the trailhead on Route 47 in Oliveria and utilize the Phoenicia East Branch Trail to the Giant Ledge-Panther Trail.  There are views along Giant Ledge and just past the summit of Panther.  The trail is mostly moderate in grade; however, the path is rocky in spots (as you'd expect).

Total Distance and Elevation Gain:  6.9 miles with approximately 1600 feet in accumulative elevation gain.

Total Time:  5-6 hours or so depending on breaks and lunch.

Rain or harsh weather will postpone until another date, if possible. 

Camping Option:  Contact me, if you're interested in camping Saturday night.  I would be happy to set something up or provide details to share my site.

What to Bring:  Typical summer hiking gear should be appropriate:  convertible hiking pants or shorts, good sturdy hiking boots with thick socks, extra layer(s) (as needed) and a windbreaker/raingear (just in case).  Also bring along lunch, snacks and plenty of water (at least 2-L).  Optionally, pack bug repellent and sunscreen and anything else that you may require for a day hike.  

Afterwards:  We should be completed with the hike by 2:00/3:00PM.  If there is sufficient interest, we can grab a light meal/drinks in Phoenicia.