Wittenberg & Cornell

Bag 2 Catskills 3500 peaks with an overnight stay at Terrace Mountain

Parking: Woodland Valley State Campground 959 Woodland Valley Rd, Phoenicia, NY.  A $6 daily fee is required to park here
Miles: 11-12
Hours: 6-8 or overnight

What I took:

• 1L water (top off at the spring about 1.5 miles from the start)
• Lunch, Dinner, snacks, breakfast, lunch
• Overnight pack - 62L capacity
• First aid
• Knife
• Tape
• Compass
• Map - New York New Jersey Trail Conference #143
• 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

With one of the best views in the Catskills, Wittenberg Mountain (3,780') is combined with Cornell Mountain (3,860') on this optional overnight.  You can continue on the trail and bag Slide Mountain (4,180') as well, the highest peak in the Catskills region (if you choose).  I have already been to the summit of Slide Mountain 3 times, so I opted not to climb it this time.  There is a nice quite spot away from these peaks down on Terrace Mountain, and that is where I spent the night.

Before you park, head down the road to the campground and pay the daily use fee of $6; overnight hikes will cost you another day fee.  If you're lucky the clerk will give you the wrong change and you'll get a free day!

Park in the lot after you pay and put the receipt on the dashboard.  Begin the hike across the road - you will see the Red Wittenberg-Slide trail markers.  Follow the markers through one of the campsites and cross a wooden bridge.  There is a trail register after a short incline.  Sign in and continue on the trail which will climb steadily before slightly leveling off.  About a mile and a half in there will be some streams and a really cool spring on your right, above the trail.  You will hear it so you will definitely not miss it.  Fill up or drink here and continue on.  There may be a few smaller streams after this one as the trail climbs a bit.  About a half hour later you will reach an intersection with the Yellow Terrace Mountain Trail.  Continue right towards the summit of Wittenberg Mountain, which is only 1.3 miles away.  This is where the trail gets fun; and by fun I mean steep and relentless!  There will be some rock scrambling on these steep sections, but not much.  Depending on your pace, you will reach the gorgeous open view summit in an hour or less.  With sweeping views to the south and east, the Ashokan Reservoir and several 3500 peaks can be seen: Friday, Balsam Cap, Rocky Mountain and others.  Rest here, have lunch or lay out and bathe in sunlight before you continue to Cornell Mountain.

The summit of Cornell Mountain is only half an hour away (less than a mile).  The trail will dip a bit then rise again, as this mountain is slightly taller than Wittenberg.  There is no discernible summit, but there 2 great views that will mark your triumph.  The first spot comes after a near vertical section of the trail.  If you are with others, have someone go up first and pass them your bag; do the same on the way down, it is much easier.  If you are a solo hiker like me, tough it out!  Be cognizant of your weight and center of gravity so that your pack doesn't pull you down.  Keep your hips close to the rock; it will take a few footholds to get your upper body atop the boulder.  Once you do, look left to a small ledge and the sight of where you just came from.

Wittenberg Mountain.  You'll be heading back there after you reach the next view.

When you reach this 2nd viewpoint on Cornell Mountain you will notice the trail descends steeply.  If you continue you will reach a primitive campsite in a mile and a half, then Slide Mountain another .9 miles later.  Continue to Slide, or turn around and retrace your steps to Wittenberg.  You will find it faster and easier this time around.

Once you reach the Yellow Terrace Mountain intersection again, bear left to head back to your car, or bear right and move towards the shelter.  This trail descends steadily with one viewpoint along the way.  Before I headed to the shelter, I went back down the red trail to get more water at one of the smaller streams.  I did not feel like going all the way back to the spring.

After about a mile the shelter area will become apparent.  There will be 2 areas for tents on your left about a hundred feet apart, then the lean-to is straight ahead.  There is a nice fire pit to build your fire and plenty of wood to gather (there was for me!).  Set up your tent, make your fire and get comfortable.  Be sure to hang your food and all fragrant gear downwind, at least 100 feet from your tent.  Try for a limb at least 15 feet of the ground and 10 feet from the tree truck.

The next morning move back up the Yellow trail and turn right onto the Red Wittenberg-Slide Trail.  It is 2.6 miles back to the parking area from here.  Drink from the spring if you need to and you're home free!