Halcott Mountain Loop from Shaft Road: A Catskill 3500 Bushwhack Less Traveled
Halcott Mountain by a Less Traveled Route
If you’ve ever looked at Halcott Mountain and thought, “There has to be another way up there,” this hike found one. Instead of starting from the usual Deep Notch parking area on Route 42, we continued to Shaft Road, cut across Route 42 to the Forest Preserve, forded Bushnellsville Creek, and climbed the shoulder of Halcott by way of an old road and then ridge following that made the ascent feel surprisingly direct and efficient.
Along the way, Moe was on the lookout for first-growth forest, mapping locations and using the kind of field awareness that ties directly into the work of Dr. Michael Kudish, whose research has helped define so much of what we know about the Catskills’ forest history.
Halcott Mountain Bushwhacks Quick Facts
🧭 Trailhead: Shaft Road Parking Area, Lexington, NY (Google Maps)
🗺️ Route: Bushwhack
🥾 Distance: ~6 miles round trip
📈 Elevation Gain: ~2,020 ft
⚠️ Difficulty: Difficult
Because this is a bushwhack, we don’t share GPX tracks or AllTrails links. Part of what makes bushwhacking meaningful is learning how to read the land, build your own route, and navigate responsibly without creating new social trails or unnecessary impacts on the woods. If you want to build those skills, we offer guided hikes through Hike On Guides as well as training in map, compass, and GPS navigation.
Halcott Mountain Bushwhack Overview
From the road and creek crossing, we started climbing the shoulder of the mountain and almost immediately came to an old road that carried us up the ridge much faster than expected. That road eventually led us to the crest, where the route crossed onto private land, so we turned right and stayed on the ridge, which we followed it all the way to the summit of Halcott Mountain.
The route was beautiful and straightforward for much of the climb, but the prickers started showing up about a mile before the summit. By late spring, this approach would likely be rough on bare legs, so long pants would be a smart move if you’re thinking about giving this one a shot. Honestly though, this is a winter or early spring bushwhack due to those prickers - neither of us would want to do it when they are fully grown.
The ridge brings you right to the summit of Halcott Mountain and the Catskill 3500 canister that rests there. We enjoyed some lunch, signed in to the canister register, changed into some warmer clothes, and then got ready to descend and finish our loop hike.
From the top of Halcott Mountain, we followed the traditional herd path for a bit, then peeled off to descend the ridge south of the ravine that the herd path uses. The descent was classic Catskills: steep in spots, a little wild, and broken up by a few cliff bands that kept us on our toes (or sometimes our butts).
Near Deep Notch, we found more of the interesting rock structures seen on the standard route, plus some clearly built roads and what looked like a former homestead on a shelf above the creek. It’s the kind of terrain that makes the Catskills feel layered, historic, and a little mysterious all at once.
After crossing Bushnellsville Creek, came out on Route 42 below the Deep Notch parking area, but above the Shaft Road parking area. We walked about a half a mile along Route 42 to reach the parking area and finished up our bushwhack!
First-Growth Forest Search
One of the most interesting parts of the day was Moe’s ongoing search for first-growth forest. The Catskills have a long logging history, so finding stands that were never cut is a big deal, and identifying them takes a careful eye for tree size, canopy structure, and signs of disturbance. That’s where the influence of Dr. Michael Kudish matters so much: his work has given hikers and forest historians a framework for recognizing these rare places in the woods. Moe has been working with Dr. Kudish for several years to help map these forests and part of the goal of this trip was to do just that.
Catskills Forest History: Dr. Michael Kudish's The Catskill Forest: A History
Moe’s first-growth mapping on this hike ties directly into the work of Dr. Michael Kudish, whose landmark book The Catskill Forest: A History is the definitive guide to the region’s woodland past. Published in 2000 after more than 40 years of research, Kudish’s book uses maps, tree-ring data, and historical records to trace plant migrations, logging impacts, and forest recovery across the Catskills, including how glaciers, settlers, and industries shaped the woods we hike today.
What we enjoyed about this hike
This was the kind of day we love most, a new route, cool discoveries, and a reminder that these mountains still have plenty to teach us. The Catskills are worth hiking, but they’re also worth protecting, appreciating, and paying attention to for the long haul.
For More Information on Bushwhacking Halcott Mountain
Catskills Visitor Center
Additional Catskill Park information is available at the Catskills Visitor Center located at 5096 Route 28 in Mt. Tremper. Helpful staff can answer questions, free maps and guides are available, and the gift shop carries a large selection of local hiking maps and guidebooks.
Hire Hike On Guides for the Halcott Mountain Bushwhack
Need help on a hike like this? Both Moe and Jeff are NYSDEC licensed hiking and backpacking guides. Hire us through our guiding company, Hike On Guides for customized trips in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
Hikes near Halcott Mountain
More of our Catskills hikes on YouTube
Gear that we use on our hikes
Our go-to gear this trip included:
Important Hiking Considerations:
Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions.
Safety: Some sections of trail can be steep and rocky, others can be muddy, so use caution and always watch your footing.
Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.
