North Point & North Mountain Ledge

Sans our trip leader, Bruce, David and I all met on time at 9 AM in the DEC parking lot at the entrance to North-South Lake Park. It was a beautiful and almost autumnal, partly sunny day.   Our hike along the Escarpment Trail to North Point took us past Artist's Rock, Sunset Rock, Newman's Ledge and Badman's Cave.  After the hike, David headed back home and Bruce and I had lunch at Brios in Phoenicia.

It was good to meet new GO friends and to revisit a classic Catskills hike.

Overview of this Hike:

Distance: 5.90 round trip from parking lot by Scutt Road. Deduct 0.34 miles for skipping Ashley Falls Trail. Minimum distance is 5.56 miles.

Time: 3 hours round trip (hiking time)

Elevation Gain: 850' gain from parking lot (2,224' to 3,074')

Best Time to Hike: Any time of day

Difficulty: Moderate

VO Map No: #15 - #14 - #12 - #14 - Road

Catskill Highest: 66

Highest Elevation: 3,180'

Digital Mapper: Topo Terrain Satellite

Attractions: Spectacular views views from North Point and North Mtn.

Attractions: Ashley Falls when there is sufficient water flowing.

Dangers: None known

Common Animals:Black bears below North Point - mainly on top of Ashley Falls.

Risky Animals: Rattlesnakes and Copperheads (none known), Bears (Moderate)

Access Methods: Foot and snowshoeing.