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DISTANCE: 6.25 miles TYPE: Loop TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN: 1,570 feet MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 3,573 feet DIFFICULTY: Very Difficult HIKING TIME: 4.5 hours |
Indian Head Mountain is named for its triad of peaks, which, when viewed from the north or east, seem to form a face. The mountain is the easternmost of the six major peaks on the Devil’s Path hiking trail, and this infamous trail section, known for its high level of difficulty, creates unique obstacles. A popular day hike despite its difficulty, the loop of Indian Head Mountain throws hikers into one of the most challenging sections of the Devil’s Path.
The ominous name of the trail—as well as other nearby landmarks, like the Devil’s Tombstone and Devil’s Kitchen—originated from the early superstitious Dutch settlers, fearful of what might lurk in these then-mysterious mountains. The settlers believed that the Catskills harbored the Devil himself, and the jagged contours of the Devil’s Path specifically were fashioned in such a way that only the Devil would be able to climb them. Of course, maybe those settlers were really just bitter about being out of shape. The deep valleys in between the peaks of the Devil’s Path are what make this trail so challenging—traversing from east to west, a hiker will endure more than 14,000 feet of elevation change over roughly 25 miles.
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. At the traffic light in Tannersville, take a left onto NY-16/Platte Clove Road. Continue south for 6 miles, then turn right onto Prediger Road. After half a mile, the road will become dirt. Take the dirt road to the DEC parking area.
GPS SHORTCUT
Type “Prediger Road Trail Head” into Google Maps and your GPS will navigate you to the appropriate trailhead.
THE TRAIL
From the parking area, find the sign identifying the various destinations accessible from the Devil’s Path trailhead. Follow the red blazes for about a quarter mile. Turn right to follow the blue-blazed Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail.
The grade will start level but grow increasingly steeper as you hike. Follow the blue blazes for 1.5 miles. When there are no leaves on the trees, you might spot Kaaterskill High Peak and Round Top Mountain behind you through the forest canopy.
Just under 2 miles from the trailhead, you will reach Jimmy Dolan Notch and another trail junction. Heading straight will take you on a short side trail to a viewpoint. Take the side trail, and enjoy the views looking south toward Woodstock before returning to the intersection. From the blue blazes of the Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail, make a left onto the Devil’s Path trail (a right if you are returning from the viewpoint). Head east, following the red blazes of the Devil’s Path trail.
The Devil’s Path is infamous as one of the most challenging sections of trail in the northeastern United States, with countless obstacles of every kind throwing themselves in your way as you tackle the path’s steep climbs. The remaining trail from the Jimmy Dolan Notch to the Indian Head summit is only half a mile, but it climbs another 500 feet in elevation. Be especially wary of slick, wet stones or loose rocks.
Hike through a forest of hemlock and balsam fir. Nearing the summit, the trail will suddenly flatten, and this will be the only indication that you have reached the peak. There are no views from the summit of Indian Head.
Descending from the summit, you will face some of the most challenging portions of the Devil’s Path. First up is a rock chimney that requires hikers to worm their way down between the two rock faces. After this, you will descend a large stone wall that is most easily navigated using the thick tree roots that weave up and down its surface. Using the roots to hold on to, climb down this rock face with extreme care.
At mile 3, you will reach a high overlook facing east with a stunning view of the Hudson, the Ashokan Reservoir, Overlook Mountain, and even distant ranges beyond: the Shawangunks by New Paltz, and the Taconics and Berkshires in Massachusetts. Several ledges on this section of the trail offer stunning, sweeping views to the south and the east.
THE SCENIC EASTERN SHOULDER OF INDIAN HEAD MOUNTAIN
Continue following the red blazes. After about 1.25 miles, you will reach an intersection with the blue-blazed Overlook Trail, an easy carriage road leading toward the Devil’s Kitchen Lean-To and Codfish Point. Take a sharp left to stay on the Devil’s Path trail. Follow the trail for another 1.5 miles before coming to another junction. You have now completed the loop. Stay straight, following the red blazes still, to return to the parking area on Prediger Road. Do you feel like you wrestled with the Devil today?
