North Point Snowshoe in the Catskills

A classic hike in the Catskills in the summer months, the trip out to North Point requires a bit more planning ahead because of the logistics in the winter. The majority of the North South Lake State Campground is closed in the winter months, except for the area around the gatehouse and the road down to the South Lake Dam. For this hike we parked just outside the campground at the Schutt Road Trailhead. The Schutt Road Trailhead is the trailhead for the Rock Shelter Trail and the southern end of the Escarpment Trail.

From the Schutt Road Trailhead, we took the Rock Shelter Trail to its intersection with the Mary’s Glen Trail. From there, it was the Mary’s Glen Trail to the Escarpment Trail. Finally we followed the Escarpment Trail to the top of North Point where we were rewarded with the views of the Hudson Valley, North and South Lakes, and the peaks of the northeastern Catskills.

On the way back, we stayed on the Escarpment Trail, past its junction with the Mary’s Glen Trail, down to the intersection with the Rock Shelter Trail. From there, we followed the Rock Shelter back towards the Mary’s Glen Trail, past the intersection with the Mary’s Glen Trail, and back out to the trailhead on Schutt Road. Think of the hike this way like a lollipop – you walk in and out the same way, but there’s a loop for the last portion.

Overall this hike is just over 5 miles and includes about 830 feet of elevation gain. There are a few ledgy areas that can be a bit of challenge in snowshoes, but someone with at least some snowshoe experience shouldn’t find this hike too difficult.

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