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 Reporter |
Summary: This hike has to be my favorite one. You traverse 3 peaks all above 3500ft. The views are the best around, you have to climb over ledges and the elevation gain over the entire rout is incredible. Once you get above 3000ft the air is thinner and you get into the Balsam/Spruce forest that are found farther North. The trail starts at Woodland Valley. The first 4 miles you gain about 200ft. Once you get on top of Wittenburg 3790ft you get views of the Ashokan Reservoir and High Point. From Wittenburg to Cornell is short compared to what you just did. From Cornell 3870ft you get views of Slide MT and the climb you are in for. The col between Cornell and Slide is long but great due to the Balsam/Spruce forest. The Climb up slide is short but brutal. You have to climb ledges and ladders on the ledges. On Slide 4180ft you get limited views. the better views are just off of slide summit. The final decent to your end point is on an old fire RD. Trailhead: From North Jersey take rt. 23 North into town of Port Jervise. Go through Port Jervis and come to rt. 42. Take rt. 42 through towns of Monticello and Woodbourn. Continue following 42 until you come to town of grahamsville. Make a left onto rt. 55. Take rt. 55 until you come to rt. 19 Claryville. Make right onto 19. Once in hamlet of Claryville make a left onto small bridge. This will be rt. 157. Take this rd past Frost Valley. It will then turn into rt. 47 once in Sullivan county. You will then pass Slide MT parking lot. Drop a car here. This is your end point. Continue onto rt. 47. Come to stop. Make right onto rt. 28. Just before you come to town of Phoenicia you will make a right onto Woodland Valley RD. Just follow signs for Woodland Valley Campground. Take rd to campground. Parking lot is on right. There is a seasonal fee to park at this one. (Lat:42.03619 Lon:-74.35521) Trail Guides for Burroughs Range Catskills NY: Catskill Mountain Guide by Pete w kick (Appalachian Mountain Club) Catskill trails map by NY-NJ trail conference (NY-NJ trail conference) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: DEC Region 3 845-256-3082 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Shawn Viggiano, who has posted 44 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Ananth on 1/15/2008 Hiked this hill October 2007... Excellent environment for Solo Hikers....A tough one though...Better to start early in the day...should start ascend before 7 to enjoy a peaceful half day at the top.... The Slide Mountain zone is tough and heart-breaking but the results worth more than the effort...Good luck to the fellow hikers.... 
Reviewed by wm on 7/31/2006 As a fan of loops (I hate back-trekking), I am a big fan of the taking the trail up from Woodland Valley to Wittenburg and eventually over to slide, then taking the easy road back past the Giants Ledge trailhead, which takes you back to Woodland valley. A strenuous, but rewarding, 15-mile or 8-hour trip. To avoid the crowds, I suggest a pretty early start up to Wittenburg. I made up by 9 a.m. with only one couple to keep me company on the summit. An earlier start would all but assure your own hike. Following Wittenburg, you are in solitude until the summit of Slide, since most day hikers venture this route.
Reviewed by Pete on 5/7/2006 I've climbed slide several times from the Western Face. Next winter I'm planning a 3-day expedition up the Eastern Face along Cornell-Wittenberg. Best done in winter for the snow-covered trees along what I call the "snow chapel." Great views off the north side near the summit, though view at the top is somewhat limited. My one complaint is that its a very popular place with hikers, so solitude is sometimes in short supply.
Reviewed by Alex on 3/30/2006 Hiked on Saturday in August 2005 from Woodland Valley camp site. Great trail. Wittenberg summit has best views and was crowded by a couple of dozen people. Many turn back to Woodland valley from there. Rest of the trail allows for solitude most of the hike.
Reviewed by John on 11/17/2005 I day hiked the Slide Mt trail on 11/11/05 and was amazed. It was a beautiful 20 degrees and snowing on the top. The trails were quite soggy, like walking in a stream but that only added to the beauty. If you go in the fall a hiking stick is highly recommended. I don't usually use one but I found it very useful crossing two streams and the navigating the swampy portions of the Curtis/Ormsbee trail.
Reviewed by HCS on 11/1/2005 We went here the last week in Sept., My wife being from the area only knew of the exsistence of the mountains, never explored them, We arrived in the early morning 8am, great hike but very crowded as time went on, next time we'll go all the way to Panther Mt. Great time. 
Reviewed by esp on 9/12/2005 The views are gorgeous, but this route is not for those who like solitude. There is nothing worse than Giants Ledge on a colorful fall weekend. It is literally crowded--like the top of the empire state building in NYC. There have been times on Slide when I was engulfed by multiple boy scout troops. If you are goal-oriented, this is the place, but its got to be one of the most popular hikes in the Catskills. I go into the woods to get away from humanity, not suffocate in other peoples'insect spray.
Reviewed by HCS on 12/11/2004 We climbed Slide Mt. on 12-04-04 after staying the night at the McKinley Hollow lean-to, I loved the hike although the entrance to the trailhead was a bit difficult due to high waters, Planning on doing Giaant Ledge next year. The Views from Slide were breath-taking loved it. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: New York Hiking, New York Trails, New York Hikes, Sullivan County Hiking, Sullivan County Trails, Sullivan County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||