Round Top Mountain
| Quick Look - Round Top | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Round trip | Total climb | Location | Internet Maps | |
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7.0 mi. | 2000 ft. | N42.29284° W74.52064° | Google Maps | |
Although it is possible to park on the side of public roads to hike this peak, the peak, like many Catskill Highest Hundred peaks, is privately owned. Be sure to obtain the owner's permission before attempting to hike these peaks!
After obtaining permission from a local landowner, I parked and began to walk some roads which showed signs of active logging. Near the height of the road I was on, I turned from a southwest heading to one that was almost due west and began to bushwhack up to the summit of Montgomery Hollow. There were some steeper areas and drifting a little north seemed to help. Finally, I was bale to say that I was on the highest land I could find. After bagging the peak, I chose to head southwest to White Man Mountain or Hack Flats.
There were fewer roads or paths of any kind on the journey to White Man. Most of the trip was a pure bushwhack. After ascending to the summit plateau, I discovered why it is sometimes called Hack Flats. The walk along the plateau to the highest point seemed to take forever. After declaring victory at what I thought was the highest point, I retraced my steps back over Montgomery Hollow and walked back on the road toward the car. Now it was time to turn northeast and east to find Round Top, the highest of the three peaks.
Round Top showed the most logging activity although it seemed random and haphazard. I wasn't sure if the logging was to harvest timber or to clear land. Following some of these roads proved easier than slogging through the brush but it was MUDDY! I climbed over the hump to the west of Round Top and then continued east and up to the top of Round Top. I followed some other logging roads on the way back to the car.
There were a few viewpoints along the way but the best pictures I took were from South Montgomery Hollow Road on the way out!