Giant Ledge & Panther Mountain

One of the best hikes in the Catskill region with outstanding views.

Parking: Route 47/Oliverea Rd, Phoenicia, NY – Giant Ledge Trailhead parking
Miles: 6.8
Hours: 6 - 8

You can do this as a quick overnight or a day hike.

What I took for a quick overnight:

• 2L water (top off at the spring before the Giant Ledge)
• Dinner, snacks, breakfast, lunch
• Overnight pack - 62L capacity
• First aid
• Knife
• Tape
• Compass
• Map - New York New Jersey Trail Conference #142
• Trekking poles
• Synthetic clothing 
• NO COTTON - Why no cotton?  Cotton is a thicker material and isn't as breathable as synthetic materials.  Once it's wet, it becomes heavier and takes longer to dry. 
• Hiking boots or trail running shoes
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Inflatable mini pillow
• Tent
• Ground tarp/tent footprint
• Headlamp
• mini lantern
• 550 Para cord
• Carabiners 
• Stove 
• Cook-set
• Waterproof matches, lighter
• Vaseline/petroleum jelly lathered cotton balls
• Water filter
• Bug repellent (spring and summer trips)
• Mini lightweight shovel
• Hand wipes
• Lightweight rain shell
• Washcloth 
• This is MY list – add or subtract depending on your likes/needs

I have done this hike as a day hike in winter and overnight hike in summer.  The overnight was a quick getaway for me; heading straight from work to the trailhead on a Thursday night, hiking the summit in the morning.  It’s enjoyable and rewarding both ways.  My overnight pack had a base weight (all items minus food and water) of 13lbs.  This is considered to be a “lightweight” backpacking base weight.  It is the lightest I have been thus far on any overnight.

Your hike will begin from the roadway on the Yellow Phoenicia East Branch trail and rise to the register just a few hundred feet away.  Sign in and make note of the ranger information.  Continue on the Yellow trail.  

This initial climb is indicative of the hike.  There will be alternating steep and gentle sections.  Very soon you will reach the Blue Giant Ledge-Panther-Fox Hollow trail.  Make a left and begin your ascent to the scenic ledges.

Along the way there will be 2 sets of walking stones.  After the 2^nd set and 3 minutes or so, you will reach a short trail leading to a spring.  

This is the 2nd set of walking stones.

The sign is facing the other direction and is located on a tree on the left side of the trail.  Once located, take this narrow path a short distance (up behind the large boulder) to the spring, which is now coming from a hose installed by trail maintenance volunteers.  Fill up as needed or gorge yourself before heading back to the Yellow trail, and taking a left to continue.  

After one last steep section the views become apparent.  There are 2 fantastic lookouts before arriving at a primitive campsite.  There is a Yellow Campsite marker leading to 2 fire pits and some areas for tent setup.  Through this campsite is a decent westward view, the one and the only west view on this hike.  Make camp or set out for the summit, which is just a hair under 2 miles.

As I said before, the trail will alternate between steep climbs and gentler sections. While I believe the summit used to be marked, I could not find a sign.  There was a nice lookout from a set of rocks, which were behind a fallen tree – the break occurring about waist height.  The morning sun shined brightly through the clearing.  I think this may be the summit.  My altimeter is pretty accurate, and noted this spot as the highest point I had been at all day.  My smartphone GPS was still functional while on airplane mode; matching my location on the map put me damn close to the summit (3,720’).

Continuing on the trail is another 2 viewpoints; the first one could very well be the actual summit.  After reaching your final viewpoint you can turn around and retrace those tough steps and relive the gorgeous views.  The length between all the great spots isn’t that bad, so planning meal stops and breaks is easy.  Take your time or high tail it back to the car!  Make sure to sign out at the register before completing your hike.