Southwest hunter peak/ Leavitt peak

Southwest hunter peak/ Leavitt peak

Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 42.16251°N / 74.24492°W
Additional Information County: Greene
Activities Activities: Hiking
Seasons Season: Fall
Additional Information Elevation: 3750 ft / 1143 m
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview

Southwest hunter Was just discovered in the last 25 years to be a separate peak from hunter Mountain, being about a mile from hunter and having a 250 foot drop in the col between, and now ranks 15th among the 35ers (between Wittenberg and Lone mountain). Southwest hunter is going to be renamed Leavitt peak officially in the next 5 years or so because it is a real mountain. Also note for the elevation, the accepted value is between 3730 and 3770 as its never been formally surveyed

as far as mountains go this is one of the less interesting peaks in the Catskills (in the category of Nye and Blake as dullest mountains) . No real view and a relatively flat top along a fairly distinct herd path. As far as bushwhacks go This can be real easy or something that can give the most experienced hikers nightmares about the multiple failures depending if you take the herd path from devils arch or bushwhack up from diamond notch. Devils Acrh herd path is marked with a cairn and is easy(better then some real trails Ive been on) despite some downed trees. the diamond notch bushwhack however is steep and very think hindering trees. 1 hour round trip from devils arch compared to 4- 10 hours via diamond notch(add 1 hour or so for the trip in)

all in all if you have time to wast waiting for the sun to break the clouds(on your way to the hunter summit 1.5 miles away), go for it, want to give someone the bushwhack/ canister experience go for it , your going to be a 35er go for it, you want a fun climb with good views stay away, this is not worth the time


SW hunter
--(get your head out of the clouds man)
sw 2
sw 4

Getting There

Off of NY rt 42 turn onto spruceton road and follow it to the diamond notch parking area, from their follow the diamond notch trail the the junction with the devils path turn left,(just after the water fall thats not to be missed) ((or go straight for the bushwhack), right a little past the split would be west kill mountain)follow the DP for 1 .3 miles or so till you find a cairn, bear right and follow herd path to a 2nd cairn in .75 miles bear left and climb 250 feet in .25 miles to the summit, canister should be in sight or you made a wrong turn, at which point turn around and go back to the herd path to check your spot, you dont want to be lost on this peak
sw3

Red Tape

no camping or camp fires above 3500 feet
-respect the carry in carry out rule

Camping

devils arch lean-too .12 miles past the cairn for the herd path, 3450 ft, just legal, some at large sites nearby

External Links

http://www.catskillhiker.com/peaks/southwesthunter.shtml