38. Hunter Mountain

Distance:	Dayhike or overnight
Difficulty :	Moderate for children
Distance :	4.2 miles, round trip
Hiking time :	3.5 hours
High point/elevation gain :	4040 feet, 820 feet
Hikable :	June-October
Map :	NY-NJ Trail Conference Map 41

Surprise! You thought Hunter Mountain was just for skiing, right? Well, when the slopes are green and the skiers are sailing, come to Hunter to explore the extensive, well-maintained trail system. Take the thrilling Hunter Mountain Skyride to the top of the ski slope (the longest and highest such ride in the Catskill Mountains). Enjoy immediate views from Colonel's Chair before tracking southward for 2 miles to the summit fire tower. It's not an easy walk, but it's within the capabilities of most young kids.

Once you've enjoyed the extensive views from the child-safe mountaintop, you will return the way you came, anticipating the hike's finale on the heart-thumping Skyride. This one's a sure winner in the "hike-with-the-funnest-finish" category.

From New York City, take the Thruway (I-87) north to Exit 19 in Kingston. Follow NY-28 west for approximately 26 miles. Turn right onto NY-214 in Phoenicia. Drive about 15 miles on NY-214 to the junction with NY-23A and turn left (west). In 2 miles, in the town of Hunter, turn left following signs for "hunter mountain ski area" and "festivals." Cross the metal bridge over Schoharie Creek and drive 0.25 mile on the access road to the ski-area parking. Purchase your Skyride tickets at the ski lodge.

Take the Hunter Mountain Skyride (the skiers' chairlift in the wintertime) to the top of the mountain. (I'll bet that's the easiest 1500 vertical feet you've ever put behind you!) As you exit the lift, bear left (south) on a gravel road and walk past the outlet to another chairlift that feeds in from the left.

This shoulder of Hunter Mountain is known as Colonel's Chair, named after Colonel William Edwards. The town of Edwardsville (now known as Hunter) also bore the name of this early "tanlord" of the leather-tanning industry. Leave the road to head east (left) toward a red-and-blue cable fence strung along the edge of a cliff. From behind the fence (where you'll find benches and picnic tables), you can see the Hunter Mountain summit. Look to the southeast along the ridge—at the highest point, a fire tower looms over stunted trees. (Pass around the binoculars.) If you scan right along the gently sloping ridge, you'll be previewing your hiking route to the tower. You'll also see North Mountain, High Peak and Roundtop, and the Blackhead and East Jewett Ranges from this lovely spot.

Return to the road and turn left to head southward, passing another chair lift that unloads on the right. Soon, bear left onto Trail 1, a grassy road (marked with yellow circles and an arrow) as the gravel road veers right toward the Annapurna ski slope. The route you are following, known as Colonel's Chair Trail, services snowshoers and mountain bikers as well as hikers.

If your family isn't ready for the strenuous hike to the fire tower from here (there's a vertical rise of 850 feet to come), enjoy the spectacular Skyride and then meander around the Hunter Mountain nature trail at the summit. It's a 1-mile stroll on fairly level ground. Pick up a brochure at the summit lodge or just follow the white arrows you'll see as you exit the Skyride. Look for the brown-and-white station numbers—they take you to good examples of different aspects of forest ecology and Catskills geology. The trail follows a loop that brings you back to the Skyride at the end. You'll be sharing the trail with mountain bikers, so be aware of their presence and keep an eye on the littlest kids.

In this portion of the hike, the Colonel's Chair Trail, marked with yellow-blazes, coincides with Trail 1 of the Hunter Mountain Ski Area's snowshoeing and mountain-biking trails. Follow the clearly marked Trail 1 as it leads you toward the Annapurna ski slope. Just before Trail 1 arrives at the ski slope, the yellow blazes of the Colonel's Chair trail lead off to the left (south). Continue on past the turnoff for about 50 yards to enjoy the view from the top of the Annapurna slope, then backtrack to the Colonel's Chair Trail to continue on the the fire tower some 1.5 miles away. Ignore the signs that warn of difficult terrain ahead and tell you not to enter—these are not intended for warm-weather hikers. (Do no attempt this route in the winter!) Follow the yellow blazes as the trail embarks on a steep ascent on a grassy track through the woods. The trail will soon curl westward and level out.

Are the smaller kids getting bored with nothing but trees to look at on either side of the trail? Walking through the woods is more fun if you pretend to be a stalking tiger, bouncy bear cub, or wild horse.

At a grassy plateau 0.7 mile from the start, turn left off this wide path to head into the woods on a hard-packed foot trail. For the next 0.4 mile, the trail climbs gently through groves of spruce and birch. Count the different varieties of wildflowers. The rocks that border the trail are smothered in lichens and moss in varying shades of green.

Are the kids familiar with lichens? These pioneers are often the first plants to establish themselves on a rock's barren surface. They initiate the lengthy process of converting rocks into soil. An alga and a fungus, the two plants that make up a lichen, cooperate to ensure the lichen's survival under its harsh living conditions: the alga shares food with the fungus, which provides a moist environment for the alga. Count lichen-covered rocks along this stretch. Although they look tough, lichens are dedicate—don't let the kids peel them off the rocks.

Who will spot the wooden marker that indicates you've reached an elevation of 3500 feet? (Camping is not permitted above this point.) At a T intersection with a woods roads, turn left (southeast) on the blue-blazed Spruceton Trail. (A right turn will bring you in 0.3 mile to the John Robb Lean-to.) Let the youngsters know that you are more than halfway there: the fire tower is 1 mile away and Colonel's Chair is 1.1 miles behind you.

The woods road winds pleasantly through groves of spruce and birch, encountering only a few brief ascents along the way. Who can make the prettiest bracelet from the curls of birchbark that are strewn alongside the trail? Sections of the road may be seasonally muddy, but stones and small logs span the wettest terrain. Can you recognize any animal tracks in the mud? Look for signs of raccoons, deer, wild turkeys, and bears.

As the road curls right (south), you'll glimpse the fire tower reaching above the treetops. Beginning with the youngest hiker, take turns estimating the distance to the tower. The one who guessed 0.6 mile (or came closest) wins a granola bar.

A little more than 1.5 miles from the start, a side trail departs left, leading in 50 feet to a rock overlooking the Colonel's Chair area and the impressive northern Catskills, including Windham High Peak and Black Dome Mountain. Back on the main trail, continue 0.2 mile to a side trail on the left, marked "SPRING." Follow this yellow-blazed trail as it tumbles to the base of some intricate overhanging ledges. (The water source is seasonal.)

Return to the Spruceton Trail and turn left. A final uphill surge leads to the summit, an expansive, circular field rimmed with spruce trees. Let the kids run free; the summit is sheltered on all sides so parents need not worry about steep drop-offs. Pass the fire warden's cabins to reach the sturdy fire tower. At 60 feet on a mountaintop 4040 feet above sea level, this is the highest fire tower in New York State. The tower was closed in 1989 due to disrepair. Since then, volunteer restorers have repaired the tower; it was officially reopened in October 2000. You don't have to climb the tower all the way to get panoramic views—just climbing twenty-five steps will do it. Be sure that the kids look northward toward the ski area to appreciate the distance they've covered. Rest, relax, lie on your backs, and find animals in the lazy parade of clouds overhead.

Return to your car the way you came, stopping for an overnight at the spacious John Robb Lean-to (on the blue trail) if you're equipped for it. The shelter is tucked to the right of the blue trail just below the 3500-foot marker. Below the lean-to and to the left of the trail is an overlook offering delightful southerly views into the central Catskills.

Note: The Hunter Mountain Skyride operates Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (weather permitting) from the end of June to the beginning of September, and on Saturdays and Sundays during foliage season from early September to mid-October. Normal operating hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Currently, a Skyride pass costs $6 for an adult, $4 for juniors aged seven to twelve, and free for children six and under. For more contact information "See Addresses" .