Summary

This is it.  The most difficult hike in the eastern United States.

I did this in August 2015 and can tell you that this trail merits a new rating on the Gay Outdoors Trip Difficulty Scale (Easy to Very Strenuous):  Brutal.  As part of my training to hike the GR20, I did this trail with Compass, the wonder dog, and two friends with one support person.  I had to pick up / lower / carry Compass 40+ times as we ascended and descended chimneys, cliffs and similar obstacles.

A nice aspect of this hike is that it has one road crossing at the 60% (approximate) point and that road crossing is just North of the Campground (Devil's Tombstone) where we will base camp. The first section (up to the road crossing) is considered the "classic" route and most people stop here.  In 2015, I stopped there myself concerned that I might sustain an injury which might jeopardize the GR20 (just three weeks away).  My two friends, both college athletes in their late teens / early twenties continued on, limping at trails end with strains, strains and blisters some 19 1/2  hours after we started.

This year, without a big trek like the GR20 and international travel on my calendar I am determined to do the whole thing.

Join me!

We will do the Devil's Path on Monday July 18.

Sunday July 17 is a logistics day / car shuttling day.  We'll set up camp at Devil's Tombstone.  Then assert the hike we can collapse knowing that we don't have to go anywhere!

We depart on Tuesday July 19 and head for home.

Devil's Tombstone does require reservations.  And it is not a big campground sip out fills up fast. (That's a prime reason for scheduling this on a weekday instead of a weekend - it's less likely to be mobbed).

You will want to be sure that you are in good shape to do this hike, with sturdy hiking boots.  You will need to carry at least 2 quarts of water with you and bring purification tablets for water along the way.  A headlamp is a must a we will start in the dark and may finish on the dark.

This is not a dog friendly hike per se but a dog can do it if you are willing to carry them up and down 20 foot cliffs and chimneys.  Ferrets, cats and gold fish can probably make it also.  If you bring a dog, you will need to have a physical copy of their vaccinations with you (New York State rule).

I would encourage anyone planning on this hike to do the Single-day Presidential Traverse with me as preparation.

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Option:  Camp Out and Help with Logistics

Don't feel like a killer-hike but intrigued by two nights in the Catskills?  We can use support!  It is nice to have someone to drop us off and pick us up, a sense of security that of you need to bail out via a side trail there is someone who can come and get you and awesome to have a person at the road crossing (where there is a rest area) with food, drink and encouragement.

Additional Information (a must read for anyone considering this trek):

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Path_(hiking_trail)
• http://www.cnyhiking.com/DevilsPath.htm
• http://gearjunkie.com/devils-path-catskill-mountains-hike-recap
• http://www.newyorkupstate.com/catskills/2015/04/devils_path_7_catskill_peaks_23_miles_in_the_toughest_hiking_trail_in_the_east.html
• http://www.backpacker.com/trips/new-york/rip-go-devil-s-path/#bp=0/img1

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

Devil's Tombstone Camground

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
42.15298, -74.20662
42°9'11"N, 74°12'24"W

From the South: Take the NYS Thruway (I-87); take Exit 19 at Kingston. Follow Route 28 West to Phoenicia. At Phoenicia, follow the signs for Route 214. The campground is located on Route 214, approximately 9 miles down, on the left. From the North: Take the NYS Thruway (I-87); take Exit 21 at Catskill. Go left on Route 23 East to Route 9W South. Follow Route 9W through Catskill to Route 23A West, through Tannersville. Turn left on Route 214, 2 miles past Tannersville. The campground is located on Route 214, approximately 3 miles down, on the right.