Thomas Cole, Black Dome & Blackhead

[cantdog]

Since Mohamed doesn't have a nice information site on the Catskills and you all did a great job answering my previous thread, I'll put out another question:

What is the best route(distance/elevation gain/other applicable details) for this trio?

If a second car was available, would the answer change?

Since Blackhead is required in the winter, I would prefer going there first unless there is a really plausible reason not to.

I apologize in advance if this question has been asked before, but it's easier to just ask rather than sort through the Peter W Kick book.

[daLunartik]

With one vehicle, the best option is to park at the Mapledale parking area, and then either hike to the col between Blackhead and Black Dome, hike Blackhead, then down and back up BD, over to Cole and back up and over BD. I just did this, minus the trip to Blackhead, and it was 8.5 miles and 2500'. Figure another 1.5 - 2 miles and 3-400' with Blackhead thrown in. Alternatively, you can follow the trail around the icy north eastern side of Blackhead, then over to BD and Cole and out via the BD/Blackhead col. That really only saves you from re-hiking some sections of trail, I don't think there is any mileage or elevation difference.

With two vehicles, spot one at Mapledale, and start at Barnum road. Hike Thomas Cole first, over Black Dome and then Blackhead, with the option to either backtrack to the col, or continue down the north eastern side. I believe it is significantly shorter as a through hike, and definetly less elevation as you start higher up. You can do the hike in reverse, if you are concerned with getting Blackhead for the winter requirement.

If you do decide to hike the north easter face of Blackhead, be sure to bring full crampons - that is one of the few spots in the Catskill where you really do need them.

[Rockledge]

With one vehicle I would suggest parking at the Batavia Kill/Mapledale parking area (Big Hollow Road) You may have to walk the last section of road in the winter since they only plow to a point a little short of the PA at the end of the road. I prefer to hike in the Batavia Kill Trail to the intersection of the Escarpment Trail and ascend the northeast face of Blackhead. This section is very steep and can be icy, but I'd rather go up it than come down. Crampons will most likely be required and caution is urged. On a clear day there is a nice viewpoint off the escarpment below the summit. From the summit you can continue on to Black Dome and Thomas Cole along the Black Dome Range Trail then backtrack out to the col between Black Dome and Blackhead and come out via the Blackhead Mountain Trail(?)-you will have passed this trail junction while en route to Black Dome. With two vehicles you can spot one at the PA above drive back to Barnum Road and through hike the entire range. The view from Black Dome toward Hunter and the Devil's Path range is one of my favorites in the Cats.

[Jay H]

You may have to walk the last section of road in the winter since they only plow to a point a little short of the PA at the end of the road.

I doubly state the above advice on Big Hollow Road. the actual trailhead to Lockwood Gap (between Black Dome and Black head) is not plowed and there are big huge ruts to the right and left of the road and it's probably a sheet of ice right now.

There are some nice views west of the Thomas cole summit as you go over the two false summits known as the Caudal Tail and Camel's Hump (there's one in each state!) but the actual summit is the one closest to Black dome.

The traverse is very nice though and not a long car/bike spot...

Jay

[rockysummit]

A great trip with two cars is to start from Barnum Rd, across the range, down Blackhead, over Arizona (towards Stopple pt) and out to Colgate Lake. A bit long with shorter days (I haven't done it in winter) but an excellent trip.

[cantdog]

Originally Posted by Jay H

You may have to walk the last section of road in the winter since they only plow to a point a little short of the PA at the end of the road.

I doubly state the above advice on Big Hollow Road. the actual trailhead to Lockwood Gap (between Black Dome and Black head) is not plowed and there are big huge ruts to the right and left of the road and it's probably a sheet of ice right now.

There are some nice views west of the Thomas cole summit as you go over the two false summits known as the Caudal Tail and Camel's Hump (there's one in each state!) but the actual summit is the one closest to Black dome.

The traverse is very nice though and not a long car/bike spot...

Jay

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I did not consider summer-winter parking and forgot it existed elsewhere. How many bonus miles does the winter route have?

Also, how much longer(than the winter route) is the Colgate option?

[daLunartik]

Originally Posted by cantdog

How many bonus miles does the winter route have?

The "winter route" adds 2/10's of a mile roundtrip. Not sure what the extra milage is to add Colgate lake in, but it's got to be more than that. I just parked at the snowplow turn around at the end of Big Hollow road this past Friday. The road was drivable past that point, but the road was very rutty, with a significant layer of ice and a few inches of snow. I was very happy I did not attempt it, despite the later success of another vehicle.

[mudhook]

The trip to Colgate lake is about 12 miles ,3600", I don't have milage for the thru hike from Barnum to Big hlw, but its about 7.5 miles, 4 hours,the loop de loop from Big hlw is 8-8.5 miles, also about 4 hours.

[LionRoar]

Originally Posted by cantdog

What is the best route(distance/elevation gain/other applicable details) for this trio?

If a second car was available, would the answer change?

The following is one of the better routes that I have ascended.

Park at the lot past Colgate Lake and follow the Colgate Lake Trail (which doesn't lead to Colgate Lake) to the bend in the trail. Go off trail, following the ridge - it's about a mile plus in length - and one will reach a bump on the ridge, at about 3500 feet with a great 360 deg view. Hike off the bump and continue on the ridge, then through balsam fir and top out on Black Dome.

Turn left and descend the trail to T.Cole and take in the overgrown viewpoint. Reverse direction, retracing one's steps to Black Dome and then follow the dip to Lockwood (I think the correct name should be Lockweed) Gap and ascend Blackhead. The summit is at the trail junction and the hiker now has several choices.

The first choice is to follow the Escarpment trail toward the south, along the ridgeline to Dutcher Notch, then take a right turn and follow the Colgate Lake trail back to the parking area. Combined, these two trails are about six miles to the P.lot.

A second choice is to return to Lockweed Gap and bushwhack south, about three-quarters of a mile, to the Colgate Lake Trail. At the trail junction, turn right and follow to the P.lot.

I do recall a descent from the summit of Blackhead - it may have been nasty, facilitating an abort and a return to Lockweed Gap. May try it in the spring, before I move to Idaho.....

Moose