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DISTANCE: 7 miles TYPE: Loop TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN: 1,760 feet MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 3,810 feet DIFFICULTY: Very difficult HIKING TIME: 5.5 hours |
While Sugarloaf Mountain boasts no views from its own summit, ledges just below and around the peak of the park’s thirteenth-highest mountain offer their own stunning views. Two quarries and unique stone furniture fashioned by previous hikers add to this exciting day hike, though it is a challenging one. Sections of both the ascent and descent can be extremely difficult, so this hike may not be one to tackle when the trail will be wet, or in winter, unless one is fully prepared for the challenge with the proper equipment.
If you have ever wondered why there are so many mountains and hills named Sugarloaf—at least four within a two-hour drive of the Catskills, and over two hundred such prominences in just the United States—these landforms are named after an antiquated method of packaging sugar. Until the late nineteenth century, a sugarloaf was refined sugar processed into the shape of a rounded cone; this was the easiest and most common method for distributing sugar. Sugarloaves came in a variety of sizes, but generally, the larger the loaf, the lower the grade of sugar. Strangely, the conical shape of a sugarloaf does not particularly resemble most of these mountains—in New York, especially, the mountains and hills tend to be low and sprawling due to age, while a sugarloaf is tall and narrow, shaped vaguely like a missile.
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 5 miles, then turn right onto Dale Lane. Continue another 0.75 mile to the DEC parking lot on the left side of the road.
GPS SHORTCUT
Type “Roaring Kill” into Google Maps and your GPS will navigate you to the appropriate trailhead.
THE TRAIL
From the parking area on Dale Lane, follow the yellow blazes of the Roaring Kill Trail to the registration box at the start of the trail. You will arrive at a trail junction after only a quarter of a mile. Here, the Pecoy Notch Trail meets the Mink Hollow Trail, both using blue blazes. Sugarloaf is most commonly hiked ascending from the Pecoy Notch Trail, making a shorter but more aggressive ascent. Turn left and follow the Pecoy Notch Trail to begin the loop.
PROFILE OF SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN
The trail will begin to climb with a moderate grade. Very shortly, you’ll spot the remnants of an old bluestone quarry by the trail. Soon, you will see stone chairs along the trail, constructed out of stones from the old quarry. The trail descends slightly to a north-facing viewpoint over Round Top Mountain and Kaaterskill High Peak. At about 0.9 mile, you will arrive at an area where many of these elaborate stone chairs, along with other assorted furniture, have been fashioned by entrepreneurial hikers. This area makes for an excellent rest stop.
At the 1-mile mark, the trail crosses a stream and then begins to climb uphill parallel to the stream. Just under half a mile beyond, you will come to a large beaver pond. Twin Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain are both visible, looming over the pond.
At mile 1.75, you will arrive at Pecoy Notch, at a junction with the red-blazed Devil’s Path trail. Turn right onto the Devil’s Path. The trail will almost immediately begin a steep ascent of Sugarloaf Mountain. The Devil’s Path is known for its difficulty, and the next half-mile of trail is a good demonstration of why. Extra caution is advised for this stretch.
Shortly after the 2-mile mark, you will spot a side trail leading to a viewpoint. After the challenging ascent up the Devil’s Path, this is an excellent opportunity to take a breather. The trail from this point is much easier. After you pass the sign indicating you have reached 3,500 feet in elevation, the trail will alternate between level sections and moderate climbs.
The summit of Sugarloaf Mountain is flat and, unfortunately, offers no views. However, only a few hundred feet beyond, a yellow-blazed trail on the left will lead you to a ledge looking out to the south. Here, you can see as far as the Ashokan Reservoir in the distance.
Continue down the Devil’s Path trail as the descent becomes gradually steeper. While not as severe as the steep ascent up the mountain, the trail here can be difficult, as it is frequently wet and slick. Navigate this section—about a mile long, descending 1,000 feet—with caution. Despite its challenges, the rock formations here also offer dramatic visuals, with large cliff-like overhangs and stacked ledges forming natural stone tunnels.
After about a mile, you will come to a trail junction with the blue-blazed Mink Hollow Trail. Turn right onto the Mink Hollow Trail to complete the loop and return to your car. The trail will remain relatively level as it follows, then crosses, streams for the next half-mile.
A short while later, the trail will briefly climb once again before reaching a ledge with a view out to Mink Hollow and Plateau Mountain beyond. From here, continue on a woods road, past a second, less memorable quarry. After the quarry, the grade will be relatively level. Soon you will arrive at the junction where you began the loop. Turn left to follow the yellow blazes of the Roaring Kill Trail back to the parking area.
VIEW OF TWIN MOUNTAIN’S DUAL SUMMITS FROM SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN