Black Dome Range
Summit 3 Catskills 3500 peaks on this wicked out and back hike.
Parking: 42.289045,-74.115314 End of Big Hollow Rd, Maplecrest, NY
Miles: 8-12 depending on route
Hours: 7-9 depending on route
Gear:
Parking: 42.289045,-74.115314 End of Big Hollow Rd, Maplecrest, NY
Miles: 8-12 depending on route
Hours: 7-9 depending on route
Gear:
- 3L water
- Snacks, lunch
- Daypack
- First aid
- Knife
- Tape
- Compass
- Map - New York New Jersey Trail Conference #141
- Trekking poles
- Synthetic clothing (extra layers for cold weather)
- 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
- Headlamp
- 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
This was an relentless, strenuous day hike on a single trail. There are 3 Catskills 3500 peaks to summit here: Thomas Cole (3,940'), Black Dome (3,980') and Blackhead Mountains (3,940'). These mountains are the 3rd, 4th and 5th tallest in the Catskill region. I was joined on this hike by my good friend Carmen, who is an excellent trekker in her own right. We had an awesome day.
From the trailhead parking lot, head into the woods on the Red Black Dome Range Trail. The trail register is about a half mile from the start. Immediately you will start to climb and reach a few viewpoints: The Caudal (1.3 miles in) and Camel's Hump (2 miles in). After the Camel's Hump, make your way into the col and up to Thomas Cole Mountain. There is no view from this summit. The col between TC and Black Dome Mountain provides you with a glimpse of your next destination.
Despite the snow, this was NOT a winter hike. Winter climbs in the Catskills are between December 21 and March 21.
After a relatively level col, the climb up Black Dome was steep and unapologetic. Past the summit on the way down to the col in between Blackhead, we were treated to beautiful views of the Catskill from an open rock ledge, where we took a break for lunch.
Proceeding down Black Dome Mountain, the Red Black Dome Range Trail will turn left towards Batavia Kill. Proceed straight ahead on the Yellow Blackhead Mountain Trail. Only 3/4 of a mile lies between you and your 3rd Catskill 3500 peak of the day. This climb is quick and steep but not terribly so. The summit of Blackhead Mountain is marked by the intersection of the Blue Escarpment Trail and 2 signs.
This trail is on my list to complete. It is a beautifully rugged 23-24 mile trail that traverses the Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness. It can be hiked in 2 or 3 days.
At the top, just east of this sign on the Escarpment were fresh bobcat tracks (I think).
Break here and catch your breath, its been a tough morning! Retrace your steps back down the Yellow trail and meet up with the Red trail once again in the col before you head back up Black Dome Mountain.
This hike took us about 8 hours to complete including breaks. I would come back to climb Blackhead Mountain in winter from the Dutcher Notch trail head on Stork's Nest Rd 4 months later. That hike would turn out to be tougher than this one.
I have been contact by the property/homeowners who live at the end of Barnum Rd, East Jewitt, NY. They have requested that I update the starting point of this hike to another trailhead that is on Big Hollow Rd in Maplecrest, NY. They have been having problems with some hikers entering their property without permission both on foot and parking in their driveway. From the trailhead on Big Hollow, this hike can be lengthened or shortened depending on your plan for the day.
From Big Hollow Rd take the red Black Dome Range trail in an easterly direction. Traveling north will take you to the end of the trail at a T-intersection with the blue marked Escarpment trail. After about a half mile you will reach a junction with a yellow marked trail. This leads to the newly updated Batavia Kill lean-to. This is an extremely popular site for lodging and camping along the escarpment.
The yellow trail to Batavia Kill lean-to from its intersection with the red Black Dome trail is .9 miles in length. It ends in a T at the Escarpment trail. Turning right and heading up towards Blackhead from this junction is another .9 miles.
Continuing on the red trail for 1.4 miles, it will begin to climb to the col in between Black Dome and Blackhead Mountains. The trail gets progressively steeper after it begins to turn away from the stream it parallels. At around 3,400' above sea level the terrain softens and a choice lie ahead. Turning left up the Blackhead trail will take you on the steep incline to Blackhead Mountain. Turning right and staying on the red trail will lead to Black Dome & Thomas Cole Mountains. Should you choose to continue, the less impressive Camel's Hump and Caudal lay .9 and 1.6 miles from Thomas Cole, respectively.
Using this trailhead to summit the 3 high peaks will give you a hike of about 8.5 miles roundtrip. Adding the Camel's Hump and Caudal to the out-and-back will bring the mileage total to around 11.5.
Despite the snow, this was NOT a winter hike. Winter climbs in the Catskills are between December 21 and March 21.
After a relatively level col, the climb up Black Dome was steep and unapologetic. Past the summit on the way down to the col in between Blackhead, we were treated to beautiful views of the Catskill from an open rock ledge, where we took a break for lunch.
Proceeding down Black Dome Mountain, the Red Black Dome Range Trail will turn left towards Batavia Kill. Proceed straight ahead on the Yellow Blackhead Mountain Trail. Only 3/4 of a mile lies between you and your 3rd Catskill 3500 peak of the day. This climb is quick and steep but not terribly so. The summit of Blackhead Mountain is marked by the intersection of the Blue Escarpment Trail and 2 signs.
This trail is on my list to complete. It is a beautifully rugged 23-24 mile trail that traverses the Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness. It can be hiked in 2 or 3 days.
At the top, just east of this sign on the Escarpment were fresh bobcat tracks (I think).
Break here and catch your breath, its been a tough morning! Retrace your steps back down the Yellow trail and meet up with the Red trail once again in the col before you head back up Black Dome Mountain.
This hike took us about 8 hours to complete including breaks. I would come back to climb Blackhead Mountain in winter from the Dutcher Notch trail head on Stork's Nest Rd 4 months later. That hike would turn out to be tougher than this one.
**Update/Correction 4/22/2018**
From Big Hollow Rd take the red Black Dome Range trail in an easterly direction. Traveling north will take you to the end of the trail at a T-intersection with the blue marked Escarpment trail. After about a half mile you will reach a junction with a yellow marked trail. This leads to the newly updated Batavia Kill lean-to. This is an extremely popular site for lodging and camping along the escarpment.
The yellow trail to Batavia Kill lean-to from its intersection with the red Black Dome trail is .9 miles in length. It ends in a T at the Escarpment trail. Turning right and heading up towards Blackhead from this junction is another .9 miles.
Continuing on the red trail for 1.4 miles, it will begin to climb to the col in between Black Dome and Blackhead Mountains. The trail gets progressively steeper after it begins to turn away from the stream it parallels. At around 3,400' above sea level the terrain softens and a choice lie ahead. Turning left up the Blackhead trail will take you on the steep incline to Blackhead Mountain. Turning right and staying on the red trail will lead to Black Dome & Thomas Cole Mountains. Should you choose to continue, the less impressive Camel's Hump and Caudal lay .9 and 1.6 miles from Thomas Cole, respectively.
Using this trailhead to summit the 3 high peaks will give you a hike of about 8.5 miles roundtrip. Adding the Camel's Hump and Caudal to the out-and-back will bring the mileage total to around 11.5.
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