Halcott Mountain

Overview of this Hike:

Distance: ~3.25 miles from the parking lot directly Rt 42.

Time: Average 3.25 hours round trip in the Winter

Elevation Gain: 1,726’ feet from the Parking Lot and the summit.

Best Time to Hike: Anytime.

Difficulty: Moderate

VO Map No: none - this is a bushwack hike

Catskill Highest: #34

Peak Elevation: 3,520'

Digital Mapper for Halcott: Topo Terrain Satellite

Attractions: Nice hike after a snow storm or rime covered trees

Unattractions: No views from Halcott

Common Animals: Bobcats - limited wildlife

Risky Animals: Rattlesnakes (None known), Bears (Low)

Access Methods: Foot and snowshoe

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Map of Route to Halcott Mountain

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Directions to Trail Head from New York State Thruway (Easist, not the shortest):

Parking Lot GPS: N42 11.070 W74 24.885

Parking Lot Elevation is approximately 1,794 feet

Take New York State Thruway to Exit 21 (Catskill).

Take a left out of the NYS Thruway entrance road.

Go approximately 3/4 mile

Take a right onto Route 23 West

Go approximately 6.6 miles to Cairo, NY

Take a LEFT onto Rt 32. McDonalds Rest. on corner.

Go approximately 7.7 miles on Rt 32

Take a RIGHT onto Rt 23A

Go appoximately 22.2 miles to the intersection of Rt 23a and Rt 42 .

Go approximately 0.3 miles - Take LEFT and go over bridge (over Schoharie Creek)

Go approximately 6-7 miles on Rt 42 (from Rt 23a)

Small parking lot directly on Rt 42 on the right side of the road.

There are 8 parking spaces.

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Notes about this Hike

The hike up to Halcott Mountain has a very limited view from the canister. But, only in the Winter. The the view is poor and limited. It is considered a bushwacking hike. The hike starts out by running parallel to Rt 42. Once you reach the stream, you will follow the stream up the mountain. There are a few side streams that you must cross. Nothing terrible, but it can become a little confusing. Don't be so concerned as to following the stream exactly. Once you get to the Head wall, you can move over to where the main stream starts. Once you get to the Head wall, find the easist path to the top of the head wall. In the Winter you may have to zig-zag your way up due to the steepness. If it has been windy, the snow drifts at this point can get a little deep. Once you get to the top of the head wall, move towards the highest spot. In most cases, it will be to the right. Once you get to the top of Halcott Mountain, the canister is located on the west side of the summit. If you want to visit Sleeping Lion Mountain to the North. It is a fairly easy walk. You can then follow the stream directly down to Halcott Falls. This path is a little easier then following up the stream to Halcott Falls. The elevation gain is spread out. The only difficult part is the head wall which isn't that bad. This is the easier way to the summit of Halcott Mountain.

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Mile Stone Chart

Mile Point	Altitude	Notes
0.00	1,852’	DEC Parking Lot - GPS: N42 11.070 W74 24.885
0.04	1,867’	Walk past the green road barrier.
0.18	1,959'	Take right onto small trail after walking up hill.
0.40	2,002'	Take a right onto old dirt road.
2.00	3,520’	Take a LEFT at concrete post in road.
4.00	1,784'	DEC Parking Lot

Hike to Halcott Mountain

This DEC parking lot is directly on Rt 42. It is about a mile past the summit of Rt 42. It is located on the right side of the road. It can park about 8 cars. The GPS of the parking lot is: N42 11.070 W74 24.885 After leaving your car, you want to head towards Halcott Falls, and past this DEC board. Once you get to the Falls, you want to walk up the right side of the Falls. When you get to the top of the Falls, you want to cross the stream and head south. You will be parallel to the road.

The picture on the left is Halcott Falls. It is a small water fall. At mile post 0.18 you will see large piles of rocks along the trail. You want to continue on the direction you were on.

You want to continue forward and walk parallel with the stone wall. At mile post 0.40, you will come to a major stream. At this point you want to take a RIGHT and follow the ridge of the stream uphill. You will notice that there is a small trail that you can follow at some points. You want to follow the stream up to the headwall.

The picture on the left shows what the terrain looks like on the way up to the head wall. . When you get to the head wall of Halcott Mountain, the stream will come to an end. If you look at the head wall, find the easist path up the head wall. The easist place is left of the stream, so you may have to move south several hundred feet depending upon where you arrived at the head wall. Once you get to the top, move back to the right and continue uphill to the summit of Halcott Mountain. At this point the terrain is fairly level with a little elevation gain.

The canister is on the western side of the summit peak.

Links and References:

CatskillMountain.com Forum - Ask questions, talk about your experience with this hike