Seager Trailhead: Eagle and Big Indian

Although there are no views, this hike is a fun trek in the woods.

Parking: 42.058810, -74.540466 End of Dry Brook Rd, Arkville, NY
Miles: 10.5-11
Hours: 5-7

What I took:

• daypack 
• 3L of water 
• lunch, snacks
• first aid
• tape
• knife
• bug repellent
• compass
• rain shell, gaiters (small chance of rain in the forecast)
• map - New York New Jersey Trail Conference #142
• hiking boots or trail running shoes
• 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.

While I am not necessarily going for all the Catskills 3500 peaks, Eagle Mountain and Big Indian Mountain are close to one another and I was already in the area - so why not?  This out and back trek on 2 trails is moderately strenuous, save for the initial climb to the ridge and trail intersection.

Begin from the parking lot on the Yellow Seager-Big Indian Trail.  The first 2 miles runs alongside and crosses over Dry Brook a few times on softly rolling terrain.  This is the only water source on this hike.  Be wary of the rocky footing.  Wet rocks are incredibly slippery. After a mile you will come to one spot in particular that could be a nice swimming hole. There is bridge and the base of a private driveway just beyond.  

Keep your eyes on the trail markers and paths on the ground.  The trail is a little tricky to follow in some spots.  After 2 miles and a final crossing, the Shandaken Brook lean-to sits atop the bank. This is where the trail begins to climb.  It will rise gently for about 10 minutes then ascend steeply and steadily for 1/4 mile, maybe a bit more.  The terrain will begin to ease just a bit as you arrive at the junction with the Blue Pine Hill-West Branch trail.  Here you can pick your poison.  Eagle Mountain is just over a mile to the left, Big Indian almost 1.5 miles to the right.  Taking a breather here for the first time, I decided to head to Eagle first.

Heading towards Eagle Mountain I could tell by the map that the terrain would be moderate.  It was not very difficult, and I soon arrived at the small path to the summit just off the left side of the trail (1 mile from blue).  No views to be had, but a clearing and a cairn mark the highest point of the mountain.  After a snack I headed back to the junction with yellow.

A shaky photo of the cairn at Eagle Mountain.

I quickly returned to the train junction and proceeded straight towards Big Indian Mountain.  The terrain in this direction was much the same.  After 1.3 miles there is a small clearing and a sharp left turn.  This is the unmarked path to the summit.  The GPS on my phone worked again while on airplane mode, and it confirmed my location with that on the map.  It is steep for a little bit before leveling off at the top where there is a canister containing a logbook.  I signed my name and took a short break.  I was lucky to have great weather all day.  No rain clouds in sight and a cool breeze.  After a few minutes I proceeded back the way I came; down the unmarked path to a sharp right onto the Blue Pine Hill-West Branch Trail; left at the yellow junction all the way back to the register. 

This is a great hike for someone who is yet to conquer 10-11 mile treks.  The terrain is not overly difficult and you get to check off 2 Catskills 3500 peaks.