© J.N. Urbanski

Peekamoose is a strenuous, uphill struggle, a relentlessly steep trail with two or three large boulder formations to climb over. One formation has a precipitously positioned boulder that would tumble down the mountain should the tree on which its leaning collapse. After hiking over half the Catskills 35, I’ve never witnessed a tumbling boulder. Another notable distinction of this trail is the appearance of large boulders dashed with multicolored pebbles, making the rocks look spongy. There’s also a streak of pinkish, light purple rock and dirt about halfway up the trail.

More delightful are the manmade accents: doorways and steps carved in enormous, downed trees.

Once you pass the two or three views at the summit of Peekamoose, the summit of Table is less than an hour in the same direction. In order for adjacent peaks to qualify as separate mountains, the trail between the two mountains must descend at least 250ft. The trail between Peekamoose and Table is mossy with an evergreen canopy and plenty of exposure, which makes for sunny summit picnics. Although there are still peaks getting snow and retaining ice, winter is waning. Spring hiking is special because hikers can watch the landscape launch its brilliant shades of green before their eyes and the season almost upon us. Peekamoose and Table have stunning views, but they take vigilance to discover as they are off the trail. Take a map and look for the black stars on the trail that show you where the views are.

Catskill Mountaineer suggests approaching the Table/Peekamoose trail from Denning, but you can also park in the parking area on Peekamoose Road (Route 47) and make an ascent from there and you will arrive at Peekamoose before Table. Details of this hike are also on the NYNJ Trail Conference website here. On the website, you can also find their excellent maps which no Catskills hiker should be without.

© J.N. Urbanski

© J.N. Urbanski

© J.N. Urbanski

© J.N. Urbanski