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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a very popular hike that can be combined with a visit to the artsy village of Woodstock. The trail follows the jeep road to the summit. The gravel road is blazed with red markers. After 2 miles of steady climbing, you reach the ruins of the old Overlook mountain hotel. Only the concrete shell remains. Behind it, is a reminder of our modern world - a transmission tower. A trail comes in from the left which leads to Echo Lake. Continue straight ahead to the fire tower. In the summer months, there is usually a steward to greet you. Near the cabin is a short trail that leads to a scenic overlook with a grand view of the Hudson valley and the Ashokan reservoir. Trailhead: Take NYS Thruway (87) to Exit 20. Get on Rte 212 heading west. When you reach the center of Woodstock, take right on Rock City Road. This road becomes Mead Mountain Road after crossing Glasco Turnpike. The parking area is on the right across from the Budhist Temple - about 1.5 miles from Rte 212 . (Lat:42.07 Lon:-74.12) Trail Guides for Overlook Mountain -Catskills: Catskill Trails A Rangers Guide to the High Peaks Central by Edward G. Henry (Black Dome Press) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Ranger Contact: NYS DEC Region 3 Forest Ranger (845) 256-3026 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by George Senft, who has posted 26 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 10 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by EMK on 4/15/2012 Hiked with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. I am a hike coach for the Upstate NY/VT Chapter and we are training people to hike in the Grand Canyon in May. It's a good steady climb. Views from the top are good. Better if you climb a little ways up the fire tower. We hiked it on a Sunday and the down side was it was very crowded. All in all a pretty good hike though. If you're interested in Team in Training and hiking in the Grand Canyon check out LLS.org,Upstate NY/VT Chapter. You to can hike the Grand Canyon and help raise funds to cure blood cancers...
Reviewed by greg on 9/14/2011 very enjoyable hike in the Am great views and a good workout
Reviewed by DG on 8/8/2011 A good half-day hike. Climbed with my wife and family on 8/6/11. Two pretty steep miles up to the hotel ruins- a good workout, but not overwhelming. People coming down warned us about a rattlesnake by the tower on top. The hotel ruins provide a good resting spot amongst old walls, a mud-filled bathtub, and some recent grafiti. Then a half-mile to the top- went 3/4 of the way up the somewhat rickety fire tower for some wonderful views. Saw the large, beautiful rattlesnake- I was somewhat freaked out by the snake warnings, but the distinct impression when you see them is that they won't bother you if you don't bother them. Don't miss the overlook opposite the fire tower and past the cabin- terrific views of the Hudson valley!
Reviewed by Spartacvs on 7/15/2011 Uphill jeep trail. You climb about 1200' in 2 miles. This is a pretty steep climb straight to the top. GNATS!!! LOTS OF GNATS!!! Pleasant morning 67 degrees - Started out at 8:30a Not a cloud in the sky. Hotel ruins were neat to climb around in/on. Much easier climb up to the fire tower. Spectacular 360 degree views at the tower. Tower was closed but you can climb up most of the way. Beautiful. Picked up a very nice, recent shedding from a timber rattler. Measures about 4 feet long. Wished I caught a glimpse of him... then again maybe not :) Short trail over to the ledge behind the ranger station affords another beautiful view. Went to pick some blueberries and startled a timber rattler. He let me know he was there before I reached.
Reviewed by kd on 7/7/2011 I grew up seeing the old hotel from my backyard. We used to ride bikes there and then walk up the road to the top of the mountain as kids. It is an amazing view and the hotel is neat to see. I wonder if the huge marble columns are still there? It has been a number of years. I do remember it being a steep hike but worth the effort. 
Reviewed by chris on 6/14/2011 camp out on overlok a 3 or 4 times when i was in my twenties, graet trip, great hike, great time.....oh yea , must have been 25 yeras ago...what a time 
Reviewed by SMR on 5/30/2011 This was a straight uphill hike the whole way and you are on a wide stone road the majority of the way. The old hotel ruins were interesting to walk through and the view from the fire tower is supposedly spectacular (on the day we went it was VERY cloudy so we only got a few glimpses of the surroundings). You'll need lots of water for the trek up because it is fairly difficult. There's a picnic table and firepit at the top, so you can enjoy a nice lunch. Not sure if I'd do this one again, maybe on a clear day for the view, but the trail/road is not that interesting.
Reviewed by Jeannie on 10/3/2010 The trail uphill is definitely a workout but worth every step. We heard and saw a rattler the first time up. After seeing the view from the fire tower make sure to walk the trail to the right of the outhouse. 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, Ulster County Hiking, Ulster County Trails, Ulster County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
