Blackhead Range - Catskill, New York

Feature Name

 Elevation Type Latitude
nn°nn'nn"		 Longitude
nnn°nn'nn"		 USGS 7.5' x 7.5' Map
Blackhead 3940' (1201) Summit 42.1604N 074.0618W Freehold
Black Dome 3980' (1213) Summit 42.1612N 074.0732W Freehold
Thomas Cole Mountain 3940' (1201) Summit 42.1615N 074.0813W Hensonville
Trailhead Directions Trail Descriptions



View Map

The trail head is located at the East end of Big Hollow Road. The attached map provides directions from the New York State Thruway starting at Exit 21.

Spotting a car can be done at the end of Elmer Barnum Road. Directions can be found on the attached map.

The trail is located on map:
Catskill Trails, Seventh Edition
Map #41
Trails used in this description:
BD (Red)
BK (Yellow)
ES (Blue)
BM (Yellow)
Trail Notes and Distances
Trail ID Mileage Description
BD, Red Blazes, Black Dome Range Trail
BD (R) 0.0 / 0.00 Parking Area on Big Hollow Road. Leave the parking lot turning right continuing down the road. The trail begins as a rock strewn path departing straight off the road
BD (R) 150 ' / 150' Trail Register.
BD (R) 0.1 / 0.10 Crosses a small bridge.
BD (R) 0.6 / 0.60 Intersects with the Batavia Kill Trail. Turn off the BD trail onto the BK trail.
Trail ID Mileage Description
BK, Yellow Blazes, Batavia Kill Trail
BK (Y) 0.0 / 0.60  
BK (Y) 0.65 / 1.25 Follow the BK trial heading S/SE along the stream bank. This trail has a gradual uphill until you reach the Batavia Kill Lean-To.
BK (Y) 0.90 / 1.50 From the lean-to the trail continues on a easterly heading and ascends on a moderate grade until it reaches the junction with the Escarpment Trail, ES (B).
Trail ID Mileage Description
ES, Blue Blazes, Escarpment Trail
ES (B) 0.0 / 1.50 Turn right at the intersection and begin a steep climb of Black Head. The trail ascends 1,100 feet over the next 1 mile.
ES (B) 1.0 / 2.50 Arrive at the summit of Blackhead Mountain (3940') and intersect with the Blackhead Mountain Trail (BM). Turn right (west) onto the BD trail.
Trail ID Mileage Description
BM, Yellow Blazes, Blackhead Mountain Trail
BM (Y) 0.0 / 2.50 Heading west from the summit of Blackhead into the col between Blackhead and Black Dome. This trail descends 500' in 0.65 miles and intersects with the Black Dome Range Trail at the bottom of the col.
BM (Y) 0.65 / 3.15 Arrive at the intersection with the Black Dome Range Trail.
Trail ID Mileage Description
BD, Red Blazes, Black Dome Range Trail
BD (R) 0.0 / 3.15 Begin steep climb to the summit of Black Dome. Trail ascend 540' in 0.6 miles.
BD (R) 0.6 / 3.75 Just before the summit, you will encounter a ledge. The trail bears left and circles right until you are on top of the ledge. The trail continues to the summit of Black Dome (3980').
BD (R) 1.4 / 4.55 The trail leaves the summit of Black Dome and descends into the col moderately.  Summit of Thomas Cole (3940') is reach after a gradual ascent from the col.
BD (R) 2.25 / 5.4 Reach a viewpoint on top of Camel's Hump. From this viewpoint you will have excellent views of the Devil's Path and beyond.
BD (R) 2.95 / 6.1 Reach the second hump west of Thomas Cole, also known as Caudel.
BD (R) 3.85 / 7.0 Reach and old road with stone walls to your left. The Trail Register is located here.
BD (R) 4.3 / 7.45 Reach the parking area located at the end of Elmer Barnum Road. Note: This parking lot is limited is size.
NOTE: All distances shown are in "n.nn / x.xx" where "n.nn" represents the distance on the current designated trail and "x.xx" represents the total trip mileage.