Bushwhacking North Dome through Mink Hollow - Catskill 3500 Trailless Peak

There are few, if any easy routes up North Dome, one of the Catskill trailless 3500 peaks. Most of the routes of ascent from the Mink Hollow area run into bands of cliffs and we were looking to see if there was an easier route possible by going through the notch and over to the southern ridge that flanks the notch that Moe could use with his Hike On Guides clients.

It turns out that the answer is really no. We had thought we could go through the notch and instead of descending the valley on the other side, slab around on the same elevation until we ran into the herd path that ascends the southern ridge.

We were able to slab around but the terrain gets very steep and with lots of rocks and just slightly covered boulder fields. It was no easier than going up the more traditional routes from Mink Hollow to the summit of North Dome.

It was however a challenging, fun, and interesting way to climb North Dome and gave us a chance to check out areas that not many folks explore.

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Watch all of our videos about hikes in the Catskills on YouTube

• The Hiker Trash Husband’s Catskills Videos

You can find more information about this hike on:

• The NYNJ Trail Conference’s Catskill Trails Map Set
• National Geographic’s Trails Illustrated Map for the Catskill Park

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