Catskills: North Point

Thanks for coming along this journey with me. North Point has been on my radar for a couple years now along with a few other places along the Eastern escarpment of the Catskills. I’ve spent the last few years researching the legend of Henry Hudson and the Catskill Gnomes. Based on my research this along with a couple other locations seems to fit the descriptive clues I was able to identify.

I will do another post outlining my research to date on Hudson and the Gnomes. For now this place has been identified as a possible location for the legend based on terrain clues in the legend and Google maps using the terrain filter aka topo (topographical) which gives you the contour lines.

Preparation

About a week or so before my chosen weekend, it was time to unearth my long lost gear from the storage tomb that was their winter home in my garage. So I took an afternoon to sift through the many drawers of my storage system to pick the gear and pack I wanted to take for this trip.

Once that was completed, it was time to decide on what I wanted to eat while on my trip. Thumbing through my cookbook of backpacking meals, a meal plan came together. With that, ingredient shopping was done and any meal prep work completed.

Getting There

From my house near Albany, NY, I took RT-787 to I-87 south to the Catskill exit. After, following RT-23A West through Palenville to the turnoff for North-South Lake campground, I found a parking spot back in the day use parking area. Dawning my pack, I set out to follow the Enscarmpment trail up to Artist’s Rock, then on to Newman’s Ledge, and finally up to North Point following the BLUE trail markers.

It is worth noting that because this is a State campground and park of sorts, there are fees associated with access. However if you happen to be a veteran, and I’m assuming active military, you can get in for free as I did much to my surprise.

The Trail

The trail starts out fairly easy from the trailhead to Badman’s Cave. The trail splits early, almost immediately, between Blue and Yellow trail markers. Always recommended, is to sign in at the kiosk, which happens to be on the Blue trail but within less than 100 feet of the yellow tail. Following the blue trail will lead you to Artists Rock with stunning views of the Hudson Valley followed by Sunset Rock then a rock climbing experience to Newman’s Ledge.

From Newman’s Ledge the trail is fairly tame to Badman’s Cave where the real ascent begins. From this point forward you are mountain climbing to reach the peak. Elevation gain is fast. There were several points near the top where I had to remove my pack and toss it up over the ledge in front of me in order to climb up safely. Estimating, I don’t really think any one vertical climb was greater than about 7ft at a time. However, be aware that some climbing is required to negotiate this trail from Badman’s Cave to North Point.

Artist Rock

Following the blue trail from the trailhead, the first place you come across is Artist’s Rock. It’s a nice easy and short hike, about a half mile, from the North Lake Day Use area. Here you are greeted by amazing views of the Hudson Valley below.

Sunset Rock

If you continue your hike along the blue trail, at just under the 1 mile mark, you will come to a junction with about a quarter mile hike to Sunset Rock. I chose to not take the hike out to Sunset Rock. Here you are promised more amazing views looking East into the Hudson valley. I, instead, chose to dismount my pack, eat a snack, drink some water, and catch my breath before pushing on to Newman’s Ledge.

Newman’s Ledge

After my break at Sunset Rock, it was time for the steep climb up to Newman’s Ledge. Newman’s Ledge comes up just over a mile into your trip. Once again you are greeted by breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley below you. If you are there between June 1 and July 31, be forewarned that parts of Newman’s Ledge will be closed. Between these dates you are treated to Peregrine Falcons as they use this area during this time of year for breeding.

North Point

Continuing up the Escarpment Trail past Badman’s Cave, the trail turns steep and leads to several vertical climbs near the top. At least 3 of these vertical climbs I had to take my pack off and toss it up ahead of me. Each of the vertical sections I would estimate at not being more than about 8 ft sections at most.

Once you’ve made the climb from Badman’s Cave to North Point, you are greeted with some of the most spectacular views of the Catskills I’ve seen to date. However, before you get to the bare rock outcropping that is North Point, the trail will open up to another bare rock outcropping with some stacked rocks and surrounded by trees. This first outcropping is not your destination. Keep going to get to North Point. If you choose to, you may continue along the trail past North Point to arrive at the summit of North Mountain. I stopped at North Point and set up camp for the night.

Getting back

The next morning I decided to skip breakfast and get packed up for the trek back down the mountain. Heading back to my car I followed the blue trail back down to Badman’s Cave then remembering the blue/yellow split near the trailhead I choose to take the yellow tail back. This turned out to be a mistake. This did not lead me to the trailhead I thought it would. However, continuing down the yellow tail I eventually came to a junction with the red trail that took me past Ashley Falls and brought me out to a trailhead about a mile down the road from where I was parked the day before.

Final Thoughts

So in conclusion, this hike was definitely more difficult than I was led to believe via the Alltrails app rating. My advice is if you are going to try and judge the Alltrails rating by that app, I would increase the difficulty rating by at least 1.

My experience with this trail is that overall it was great, moderate to moderately difficult especially the final accent from Badman’s Cave to North Point. As a day trip, I might consider doing it again. As far as camping goes, not until I’m in much better shape to handle the difficulties better.

Even just hiking along to Newman’s Ledge and back to the car is worth the views you will be afforded. I would definitely recommend this hike to anyone capable of doing it and give it a solid 10/10 if just for the views you get along the way. The next time I visit this trail, I may look to take a different approach.

Links

If I can do it, you can do it too!!!