Devil’s Path and Overlook Mountain Trails Backpack
May 7-9, 2004

“If you buy the notion that every trail has a distinct personality, then the Devil's Path in New York's Catskill Mountains is like a bad-tempered barroom bouncer with a 24-karat heart. One minute this 24-mile bruiser has you on all fours begging for mercy, then a short while later you're brushing yourself off and being escorted to a show-stopping vista, where a pat on the back and a warm, ‘Here, you earned this,’ await.”, from Backpacker Magazine, “Tough Love”, October 1999.
“Today, this is the toughest backpack trip within 90 miles of Manhattan.”  Outdoors Magazine, “Satanic Scramble: Devil’s Path, Catskill Mountains, NY”, May 2001. 
The trip:
This central area of the Catskill Mountain Preserve offers some of the most challenging and strenuous climbs and descents on the entire east coast.  The reward, however, is numerous and beautiful vistas.   We will hike about 5 miles of the 23.6 mile Devil’s Path and connect with the historic Overlook Mountain trail.  Among the trip highlights are summiting Twin and Indian Head Mountains as well as dropping into some of the deepest notches of the Catskills.  We will climb the fire tower at Overlook Mountain for the 360 degree views.  The spooky skeleton of the Overlook Mountain House remains can also be found at the top of this mountain.  We will finish the trip with a well-deserved meal in the artsy village of Woodstock.

Trip Difficulty:
Our trip is rated strenuous on Saturday and moderate on Sunday.  We will experience significant elevation gains and losses on the first day, and as such, might average about 1 mile an hour hiking pace.   Due to the difficulty of the first day, trip participants are required to have previously backpacked overnight with a full backpack and ideally with significant elevation changes as well as have good aerobic and strength capability.

The weather can bring many variables in the spring including heavy rains, temperature variations, thunderstorms and wind.  Spring temperatures can range from the 80s midday to the 30s at night.  A cold, wet day in the 40s in not unheard of.  We could encounter strong winds and limited visibility on some of the summits.  With inclimate weather, hypothermia is always a concern since it is the number one killer in the backcountry.  Participants should be mentally and physically prepared to handle both the weather and terrain with the proper gear and physical preparation.

The Itinerary:
It is strongly encouraged that participants camp at the North-South Lake Campground on Friday night.  I would also like to set up the car shuttle on Friday night, which can take as much as one hour.   Please notify whether you are able to arrive Friday night for the car shuttle and to camp.  If you are available to meet earlier—about 7:30 pm (or earlier) at the end trailhead—Meads near Woodstock, also, please let me know.

Participants who will arrive Friday night should plan to arrive no later than 8:30 pm at the entrance to the North-South Lake Campground.  Camping Fees will range (depending on the number of people) from $5-$8 and should be paid at the entrance.  For a one-night stay the park does not permit reservations, therefore, we will need to register at the gate.  They require the number of persons per campsite, car descriptions and license plate numbers for each car.    

The entrance station closes at 9 pm; however, they usually leave the park gates open 24 hours.  There is practically no cell signal in the Catskills, therefore, if you are running late, we will leave a sign taped to the window of the entrance station with the NUMBER of the campsite where you should go.  If you have a last minute emergency or need to cancel, please leave a message on the leader’s cell phone at 267-738-8048.

Saturday:  6.6 miles, (~ 1300’ elevation gain/ ~ 1960’ elevation loss) 
The group will meet on Saturday morning at 8:15 am at the Roaring Kill trailhead located off of Elka Park Road.  
The hike will begin on the Roaring Kill Trailhead (ele. 2000’) for ¼ mile climb to intersect with the Pecoy Notch Trail.  On the Pecoy Notch Trail we will pass through Dibble’s Quarry—where hikers have assembled “thrones” and art out of the rock talus.  It provides open views to the north and east.  We continue for 1.7 miles to meet up with the Devil’s Path at Pecoy Notch (2800’).  The DP then immediately climbs with some hand-over-hand rocky climbs .7 miles to summit Twin Mountain (3640’).  The second summit of Twin Mountain (3580’) is another .6 miles.  We will then descend .4 miles to Jimmy Dolan Notch (~2900’).  We climb again .4 miles to the summit of Indian Head Mountain (3573’).  A steep descent (~1200’ loss) for another 2 miles brings us to the junction of Overlook Mountain trail where we will turn off .2 miles to the Devil’s Kitchen lean-to (2350’).  Black bears have been seen on this trail.  In addition, other critters, especially porcupines and mice are very commonly found at the lean-tos.  

If the lean-to is not previously occupied, you have the option of sleeping in the lean-to. You should be prepared to set up a tent, if needed, off to the side of the lean-to.  There is a stream at the lean-to where we can find a reliable water source.

Sunday:  6 miles, (~ 800’ elev. gain / ~ 1450’ elev. loss)
Our second-day journey will proceed with less elevation change.  The Overlook Mountain Trail is a wider and more gradual grade trail which was previously used as a carriage trail to gain access from the north to the Overlook Mountain House.  We will hike the 4 miles to the Overlook Mountain firetower (3,150’).  Overlook Mountain has played an important role in the history of this region.  In 1870, the Overlook Mountain House joined the great number of great hotels in the Catskills and at 2,978’ boasted being the highest of all.  The hotel housed 300 guests, but then in the early 1900s fell into disrepair, as did all the hotels.  New owners began reconstruction, but just as they did, it was halted by the stock market crash of 1929 and The Great Depression, leaving a pillaged skeleton of a bygone era.  Today, the ruins of the partially completed building are still there for exploration.

A 2 mile fire road (jeep trail) down to the Meads parking lot area (1700’) brings us to the end of our trip for an enjoyable lunch in Woodstock.

Responsibilities:
Individuals are responsible to be dressed properly and to have all the gear on the required gear/food list.
You are also responsible for staying with the group.  The group will keep together within sight distance which is the safest way for a group to travel. 
Each participant is responsible to let the leader know ASAP if any problems arise on the trip (ie blisters forming, medical complications).
Safety is ALWAYS priority on this trip.  Reaching our destination is secondary.    Participants should remain flexible and willing to make changes if necessary that would aid in group safety.  
If you have obligations on for late Sunday afternoon, please do not come on the trip because there is absolutely no guarantee of what time we will get back to the trailhead.
As an AMC group, you are expected to adhere to the laws of the area/region as well as standard practices of Leave No Trace.   Participants should pack everything out that they bring into the wilderness and not assume they can burn anything.   Should have any questions about Leave No Trace practices please go to:  www.lnt.org
You should also realize that you are a participant in a group and that your involvement in the group dynamic is important.  You should be willing to assist in any group emergencies or rescues that are within your capabilities.  Also, if there are group tasks that need to be undertaken, each member of the group should be expected to “pull their weight” with bear bag rope hanging, filtering water, etc.   As such, you should pack your backpack to about 85% of the weight that you are comfortable carrying.  Should it become necessary, the leader might request of you to take some additional weight from another member’s pack. 

Participant Approval:
Your initial inquiry for this trip is not considered an acceptance of participation on the trip roster.  After the leader has communicated with you regarding your previous experience and has reviewed the screening information, she will contact you regarding any further communication needed and inform you of your placement on the trip roster.  

A waiting list will be kept and if there are cancellations prior to 48 hours before the trip, the leader will notify you.  AMC members receive first priority if there is a waiting list.  As of one week before the trip (Friday, May 1), the trip roster is final and no one will be asked to not participate in the trip.

If you need to cancel from the trip due to emergency or sickness, please notify the leader no later than 24 hours in advance (Thursday night).  If an emergency arises after that time, please call her cell phone at 267-738-8048.

Medical Issues:
Trip participants are expected to fill out the confidential screening questionnaire and disclose any medical concerns such as allergies, medical conditions, medications (prescribed or over the counter) or recent pain or symptoms.  If your condition has changed since the time you filled out the original screening questionnaire, please notify the leader on the trail or at the trailhead of these changes.

Carpooling:
The leader will make every effort to connect individuals who live in geographic proximity of one another and based on the vehicle capacity.  She will notify individuals no later than one week prior to the trip.  It is the participant’s responsibility to make the connection with that individual.  Each participant should notify the leader how they intend to get to the meeting location, approximately what time and if they are carpooling and with whom.

Map:  Catskill Trails, a five-map set, is available from the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference (201) 512-9348; www.nynjtc.org.  Map #41, Northeastern Catskill Trails includes the entire route that we will take.

Liability Release & Assumption of Risk:
Each trip participant will be required to review and sign the liability release and assumption of risk document.  Participants who are not familiar with this document can review its detail by going to this website:  www.amcdv.org/leadership/AMC-ReleasePg1.pdf
Included with the signature is an emergency contact phone number that should be a number for a close friend or relative whom we contact in an emergency.

About the leader:
Andrea Deaton is an active biking, backpacking and Major Excursions leader for the AMC. She is a 1999 graduate of and an instructor in 2004 for the AMC’s Mountain Leadership School.  Andrea serves on the AMC’s Outdoor Leadership Development Committee and the Delaware Valley Chapter Leadership Committee as well as instructs for its leadership training course.  She has led workshops at the Mohican Outdoor Center and serves as the DV Chapter Vice-Chair and Backpacking Chair.  Most recently she has taken or led trips to The Wonderland Trail (94 miles around Mt. Rainier); Moab, Utah; The White Mountains in NH; the Monongehela National Forest in WV, and she is planning a backpacking trip to California’s Sierra Mountains in July 2004 and a biking trip to Tuscany in September 2004.  Her favorite weekend backpacking spot is the Catskills!  Andrea is currently certified as a Wilderness First Responder.  She lives in Philadelphia and is a fundraiser for a public radio station.

Required Trip Equipment and Food:

Equipment
Hiking Boots (full ankle support with good soles)
Backpack with hip belt enough capacity for weekend gear (approx. 3000+ cu. in.)
2-1 quart water bottles or camelbak type bladder
Sleeping bag with stuff sack (rec. 20 degree or less)
Sleeping pad (air or closed cell foam)
Tent (lightweight backpacking tent—approx. 1, 2 or 3 persons, less than 7-8 lbs.)*
Water Treatment/filter*
Stove and fuel*
Pots/cookware*

Clothing (NO COTTON!!)
2 pairs of hiking socks
2 pairs of liner socks
One insulating layer of synthetic top and bottom: e.g. fleece jacket, fleece pants or if warmer, synthetic top and bottom (pants) layer
Hiking shorts (quick drying nylon preferred)
Waterproof rainjacket with hood (no ponchos)
Waterproof pants

Accessories
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Lip balm
Insect repellant
Compass
Headlamp or flashlight (extra batteries)
Cup/spoon/bowl (you might choose to bring just one large insulated mug that covers cup and bowl in one)
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, trowel, personal hygiene items, medications, contact lens items)
Plastic bag to line the inside of your pack for water protection
Zip Lock bags for trash
Personal First Aid Kit (moleskin, bandaids, personal medications, ibuprofen) 
Optional
An extra layer of insulation (if you are bringing fleece already then bring a layer of synthetic long underwear)
Extra hiking socks and liners
Camp shoes (e.g. Tevas)
Hat
Light gloves
Whistle (highly recommended)
Knife
Long pants
Camera/film
Gaiters (for mud, rain, rock/scree)
Pack cover (either large plastic bag or store bought cover)
Camp Pillow
Bandana
Deck of cards

Food
Each participant is responsible for their own meals and snacks for 3 meals on Saturday, and should pack for breakfast and snacks on Sunday.  Participants should attempt to bring lightweight food as much as possible (couscous, instant rice make good lightweight and fast dinner options).  Foods high in carbohydrates are also the best for performance on the trail (tortillas, pita, bagels, cheese). 
Other ideas:
Trail food:  GORP (made of your choice of goodies!), granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, candy, Power Bar type energy bars

Lunch:  tortillas, bagels, pita, peanut butter, cheese, salami, crackers, sandwiches (pre-made at home), trail food (above)

Dinner:  macaroni and cheese (the kind with the cheese already made is the easiest—no milk/butter needed), other pasta (Raman Noodles, etc.), rice, couscous (the fastest cooking grain of them all!), pre-packaged backpacking meals in the bag, hummus mix (just add water) and pita, instant soups, instant bean mixes, dried meats (beef/turkey jerky) or other dried ingredients can add a lot of flavor and no weight 

Breakfast:  (goal is to load up on carbohydrates) instant breakfast (Carnation), instant oatmeal, bagels, coffee, tea or cocoa.

*denotes potential group gear.  Will be consolidated at the trailhead, if not before the trip.

Directions:
Directions to North-South Lake Campground
(meet there by 8:30 pm on Friday)
In New Jersey, take either the Garden State Parkway or I-287 North to get on the NY State Thruway—I-87 North.
Take the New York State Thruway to exit 20 (“Rt. 32/ Saugerties”)
In about .4 miles, turn left to follow route 32N for about 6 miles to route 32A. 
Continue on route 32-A for about 2 miles.
Turn left onto route 23A west, then 3 miles to Haines Falls. 
Take the first right turn (there is a small sign for North South Lake Campground) onto County Route 18 and then travel 2 miles to the park entrance.

Directions to the Saturday morning trailhead:
Take the directions above except continue past the turnoff for the campground in Haines Falls.  
Continue driving through Tannersville on Rte 23A.  Toward the east end of the village, turn left onto Spring Street (or County Route 16).
At the first junction at about 2 miles, bear right onto Elka Park Road. 
Continue down Elka Park Road about 2 miles until you see the brown NY DEC brown trailhead sign for the Devil’s Path and other trails where there is a parking lot.  We will meet there at 8:15 am.

The leader has a Silver Subaru Impreza station wagon.  Andrea’s cell number is 267-738-8048.

BACKPACK
SCREENING FORM       
Note:  Please fill out the following information and the leader will get back to you regarding availability and whether you have sufficient experience and equipment for this trip.                               

Your Name:____________________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________
Are you an AMC Member? (if there are space limitations, AMC members have priority)  Yes/No
Phone Numbers and times you can be reached ____________________________________
Email where you can be reached________________________________________________
Will you be driving a car to the trip?________________________________________________
If you’re willing to carpool, how many riders with packs can you take?_________________________
From where will you be leaving?_____________________________________________________

List all items of necessary equipment listed on the Equipment List that you lack: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you taking a 2+person tent and willing to share (and don’t already have a tentmate)?______________  

What backpacking and hiking have you done -- where, when, how many miles/day and approx. elevation gain/loss per day?  Are any of these AMC-led trips?  If so, with what leader/when?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What else do you do for exercise and how often? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have a medical condition of which we should be aware?________

If so, what is it, and how and when does it affect you?  ____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you take any medication, please describe and the conditions for which you take it. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have allergies other medical conditions of which we should be aware?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you are insured, please list you insurance company, policy number and type of insurance. 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

When would you plan to leave for this trip:  Friday evening or early Saturday morning
Are you available to assist setting up the carpool on Friday night about 7:30 pm?