Introduction

A true bushwack lying just south of Friday Mountain, Balsam Cap (not to be confused with Balsam Mountain or Balsam Lake Mountain) has a sign-in canister at the summit. Surrounded by dense balsam fir forest, no views are available from the summit.

Eagle is a “semi-trailed” peak . The true summit, marked by a canister, is located just off the Pine Hill West Branch Trail on a small herd path. No views are available from the summit. Proximity to several high peaks (Big Indian, Doubletop, and Balsam) make Eagle a popular choice for multipeak hikes.

A true bushwack, Friday is a steep climb from almost every direction, with challenging ledges and cliffs, and dense balsam fir forest on the summit. Be sure to respect nearby private property. Sign in at the summit canister and enjoy the view of the Ashokan reservoir.

This was originally believed to be the tallest Catskill peak. Informal and unmaintained trails exist, and several bushwack routes are also popular. The summit, marked by a canister, is guarded by steep cliffs and dense balsams and features a grassy overlook with excellent views called Hurricane Ledge just to the south. Wreckage from several plane crashes may also be found on this peak.

A true bushwack, sign in at the canister at the summit. Challenging from all directions, with steep ledges and nettles and prickers at lower elevation. Summit is viewless, in dense balsam fir forest. Be aware and respectful of private property boundaries, especially to the north.

A true bushwack peak, there is a canister at the summit. Rusk is easily hiked in conjunction with Hunter. Expect a steep ascent and winter views.

A short bushwack, the untrailed summit of Big Indian lies approximately .25 miles from the Pine Hill West Branch trail and is marked with a canister. No views are available at the summit. Proximity to Eagle, Fir, and Doubletop make this a peak that is often climbed in conjunction with at least one additional peak. This mountain and the Ulster County village of Big Indian were named after Winnisook, the legendary Native American rumored to be 7 feet tall.

Fir is a true bushwack that offers no views, but does have a canister at the summit. Despite the name, Fir does not have dense balsam fir forests; expect typical Catskills mixed hardwoods.

Viewless and nettle covered, Halcott is a true bushwack with a canister at the summit. Access is from Route 42, or with landowner permission. Expect a steep climb and ferocious nettles and blackberry canes.

Unlike its neighbors, Lone’s untrailed summit is dominated by huge birches and other hardwoods, not balsam fir. Just south of the canister you may find an opening with views to the south.

The shortest of the 33, Rocky is considered the most inaccessible. A true bushwack through dense balsam fir forest with a summit canister, expect a trip to Rocky to take most of a day. South of the summit, some views may be possible.

Also known as Leavitt in honor of the Catskill 3500 Club’s first finishers, Bill and Elinor Leavitt, Southwest Hunter is a bushwack peak with a canister. An illegal trail was cut along the rail bed, but a much more satisfying bushwack experience may be had by eschewing that route and wacking in from a number of other locations.