Let’s explore a new area of the Catskill Mountains together! There are so many peaks in this beautiful region outside of the 3500 peaks. Today, we are going to hike over to the interestingly-named Touchmenot Mountain and Cabot Mountain. These mountains are part of the Pepaction Range. On the way between the peaks, we’ll also circle around a charming little pond at the foot of the mountains. Join us for a brand-new Catskills adventure!

Thriving in the wilderness is not just about beautiful views and your weekend dose of nature. It is about building a relationship, that you can take home with you, with the land itself. Understanding our local ecosystems and identifying and preparing local plants is key to building our relationship with nature. Join herbalist Alex of Mindful Wilderness for a hike off the beaten path and learn about sustainable foraging, harvesting techniques, plant identification, and the medicinal benefits of local plants.

Think winter is a strange time for a foraging hike? Winter can definitely make foraging more tricky, but nature has something to offer in all season. You just have to know where to look!

What’s included:

If rocks are meant for climbing, then so are frozen waterfalls! Whether you have experienced the unbridled joy of climbing or are a first-timer, join us for a trip to the Catskill Mountains to climb water that has frozen solid running down vertical rocks. Our ice guides will set up multiple ropes, so you will get a chance to try routes of varying difficulty and climb as much as you want throughout the day. We will teach you the technique and give feedback and beta throughout the day. This amazing, unique winter experience is a must-try for every adventurer!

We will provide all the equipment that you need, including harnesses, helmets, mountaineering boots, and crampons. Please email us your shoe size.

What’s included:

Today we are doing Hunter and Southwest Hunter a new way. It’s a longer, but gentler route and has a little bit of everything. We’ll start on the Sprucetown trail. It’s a horse trail, which makes it longer but less steep than other approaches. We’ll take our time enjoying the forest and the winter wonderland. At the top of Hunter, we’ll climb the firetower for sweeping views.

After summiting Hunter, we’ll detour off the marked trail and bushwhack over to Southwest Hunter. This mountain was originally known as Leavitt’s Peak and was the last one to officially ‘join’ the Catskill 3500 Club. Will you be the first to locate its summit canister? We’ll then descend on the Devil’s Path before taking another horse trail down the mountain.

Hunter and Southwest Hunter are required peaks for Catskill 3500 Club Membership and #2 and #15 Catskill High Peaks (elevation 4,032’ and 3,755’).

What’s included:

Today, we’ll start with Balsam Lake Mountain. It is home to one of only 5 remaining fire towers in the Catskill Park. If you climb all the way to the top, you will have unparalleled, 360-degree views of the entire region! After leaving the summit, we’ll make our way to the ridge and summit Mill Brook Ridge Mountain, one of the Catskills’ 100 highest peaks.

Balsam Lake Mountain is a required peak for Catskill 3500 Club Membership and #16 Catskill High Peak (elevation 3,729′).

What’s included:

Try something new this winter! First, we’ll all take a lesson and learn what goes into being comfortable on the trail on skis. Then, it’s off to the trail! We’ll ski through the forest and enjoy our day in the woods. In the afternoon, we’ll stop at a local cafe for some warm beverages and reflect on our day.

The date will be up as soon as we confirm with the skiing instructor. Likely date is February 13, 2022.

What’s included:

On this trip we’ll hike on the same ground the Mohican Native American tribe traveled while moving from their winter homes along the Hudson River to their summer hunting grounds high in the mountains. Taking this route, we’ll see panoramic views of the Hudson Valley on one side and the Blackhead Range on the other. Windham High Peak is one of the few Catskill tall peaks with two summit markers. See if you are able to find both of them as you enjoy beautiful views from the top!

This is a required peak for Catskill 3500 Club Membership and #33 Catskill High Peak (elevation 3,525′).

What’s included:

Looking for a winter challenge? Hike the eastern half of the infamous Devil’s Path! Known as one of the most challenging hiking trails in the Northeast, the Devil’s Path has steep, rugged ascents and equally difficult descents, slowing down the pace of even the most experienced hikers. Conquering the eastern half will require you to scramble up rocky trails covered with snow and ice and navigate steep descents. We’ll have crampons, microspikes, or snowshoes, as needed, to set you up for success! You will have access to a resupply and bail-out point, and our guides will be on trail to help throughout the day. You will be able to tackle this trail at your own speed, provided you are with at least one other participant or guide. There will be a cut-off time 9 miles into the hike, to make sure no one is hiking in the dark.

If you are feeling up for a really intense day, join us to hike the full Devil’s Path in a day in the summer of 2022.

On this trip we will summit Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf and Plateau mountains. These are required peaks for Catskill 3500 Club Membership.

Note: Must have prior tall-peak hiking experience in the Catskill Mountains or Adirondack Mountains before joining a bushwhack. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@adventureuntamed.com.

What’s included:

Join us on a sweet adventure! We’ll start with a beautiful hike through the winter wonderland of the Hudson Highlands. Then, we’ll make our way to the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum for a walk to the Sugar Bush Shack. As we make our way on this sweet trail, we’ll learn all about how maple syrup is made. “As winter ends, it’s maple sugaring time! Learn how to identify and tap sugar maple trees, discover sugaring techniques used by Native Americans, pioneers, and modern-day farmers, and see evaporation in action!” (Hudson Highlands Nature Museum)

It’s going to be a syrupy good time!

What’s included:

Join us on a classic climb of the tallest mountain in the Northeast, with an extra challenge of doing it in precarious winter conditions. At 6,288 feet, boasting 4,000 feet of elevation gain over 4 miles, and harsh, unpredictable weather above treeline, this thrilling hike will challenge even experienced hikers.

Our adventure will take us up and down the classic Winter Lion’s Head Route, and we’ll experience everything from forest trails to the heart-pounding climbs up the steep, snow-covered slopes. Finally, we’ll make our way above the treeline and to the exposed summit cone.

If you are lucky enough to summit on a clear day,  you will enjoy gorgeous views of the White Mountains and be able to see as far as Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Canada, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Experience: This trip is for experienced hikers with prior winter hiking experience. Pease contact us at info@adventureuntamed.com for more information.

Accommodations: 4-person bunk rooms at the Joe Dodge Lodge, 2 nights.

For multi-day trips, as a precaution, we ask that you get a COVID-19 PCR test 3-5 days prior to the trip, regardless of vaccination status.

Day 1 (March 5th)

We’ll depart at 7:00 am, stopping for lunch on the road. After arriving at the Joe Dodge Lodge, we’ll go for a short warm-up hike. We’ll test out our gear and learn crampon and ice axe use, as well as the skills to stay warm, dry, and safe in unpredictable winter conditions. After a moderate scramble to the top, gorgeous views of Mt. Washington will open up right in front of us, and you can trace the route you’ll be taking to the summit the next day. That evening we’ll enjoy dinner, do a gear check, and get a good night’s sleep before the summit attempt the following morning.

Day 2 (March 6th)

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll start the summit attempt of Mount Washington. The snowy terrain will get the blood pumping right away. Be prepared for steep ascents, especially as the day goes on and you enter the Alpine Zone and make your way up the summit cone. Once above the treeline, you may encounter extreme weather, but our guides will be there every step of the way to keep you safe. If the day is clear, winter-wonderland views of the White Mountains will open up at the top. The hike down, with its steep descents, can be just as challenging as the way up. Back at the lodge, we’ll unwind, relax, and have a delicious dinner to celebrate the day’s adventures.

Day 3 (March 7th)

After a good night’s rest, we’ll pack up, eat breakfast, and relax for the leisurely drive back to New York City, stopping for lunch along the way.