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DISTANCE: 5.2 miles TYPE: Out and back TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN: 1,830 feet MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 3,980 feet DIFFICULTY: Strenuous HIKING TIME: 4 hours |
Flanked on either side by its smaller brothers, Black Dome Mountain is the tallest peak in the Blackhead Range, rising 40 feet above Blackhead Mountain and Thomas Cole Mountain. The peak is the third tallest in the Catskill Park (surpassed by Slide and Hunter), and on a clear day, it rewards hikers with views of Kaaterskill High Peak and Devil’s Path further south. The dense populations of fir and spruce trees that inhabit the summit give this mountain its name and add a bit of intrigue to an already appealing hike.
GETTING THERE
Take Exit 20 (Saugerties) from the New York State Thruway, then turn left onto NY-212/NY-32. At the traffic light, take a right onto NY-32 North. In 6 miles, continue straight onto NY-32A. In 1.9 miles, turn left onto Route 23A, and drive up the winding mountain road toward Tannersville. After driving through Tannersville, turn right at the traffic light onto Hill Street (County Route 23C). Head north on NY-23C for 6.1 miles. Turn right onto County Route 40, and follow it until you come to the small town of Maplecrest, about 2 miles. Veer right onto Big Hollow Road and drive for 4 miles. The parking area is at the very end of the road. Be aware that the last mile or so of this road is considered seasonal and is not maintained during winter months. During times of heavy snowfall, you may need to park on the side of the road, as the parking area is rarely plowed.
GPS SHORTCUT
Type “Blackhead Mountain, Jewett, NY” into Google Maps and your GPS will navigate you to the appropriate trailhead.
THE TRAIL
From the parking area, head up the road into the forest on the red-blazed Black Dome Trail. You’ll pass through private land right away, so be sure to stay on the trail and respect the landowner’s rights. Follow the trail as it meanders beside the Batavia Kill. The trail will cross the stream a few times, and while there are no footbridges to assist you, there are plenty of rocks that you can pick your way across on. In times of high runoff, it may be impossible to cross the stream without getting wet. Follow the trail for 0.6 mile, climbing gradually, until you reach a trail junction with the Batavia Kill Trail.
Turn right and continue on the Black Dome Trail. You will leave the main flow of the Batavia Kill and follow a tributary, climbing about as gradually as you were before. Half a mile from the trail junction, the path veers away from the tributary and begins to climb more steeply. The forest here is mostly composed of mixed hardwoods. If the leaves are off the trees, you may be able to see that you are beginning to enter a corridor between two shoulders of the range. Continue climbing for another mile, eventually switchbacking through an overgrown craggy section toward the top of the ridge.
When you reach Lockwood Gap—the saddle between Blackhead and Black Dome—turn right and continue going uphill, staying on the Black Dome Trail. For the next quarter of a mile, the trail is quite steep. You will come to a few small switchbacks, but for the most part the trail goes straight up, sometimes leading you up and over rocky berms through gaps in the ledges. You may be able to see Blackhead Mountain behind you through the trees, depending on what time of year you are hiking. There is a decent view about halfway through this steep section, slightly off the trail to the left, looking south.
Eventually the trail will begin to level off as you crest the dome of the summit, entering the dense evergreen stands that give this mountain its name. In 0.6 mile from reaching the saddle, you will come to the summit, likely marked with a small cairn. There is yet another southward-facing viewpoint slightly past the summit off to the left, at the end of a short, well-defined herd path.
When you are finished on the summit, retrace your steps back to the saddle. Follow the red blazes from the saddle to the Batavia Kill and back to your vehicle at the parking area.
