Join our Catskill Visitor Center Manager, David Hans, for a hike to Echo Lake.
We will meet up for this hike at the Trailhead for Overlook Mountain, located opposite the Buddhist Monastery. There is additional parking further down the road at the Meads Meadow Parking Area, a large packed gravel parking lot marked by a sign on the side of the road. We will only wait 15 minutes for all attendees to arrive. If the main lot is full when you arrive, please stop and check in before going to the lower lot so we know to wait for you or your group.
The Hike will begin at the usual starting point for Overlook Mountain and follow the Overlook Spur Trail to begin. We will make our way up to the Overlook Mountain House Ruins. From here, attendees will have the option to cut their hike short if they aren’t feeling up to the remaining 6+ miles of hiking. The hike will then branch off from the Overlook Spur Trail and onto the Overlook Trail. This trail will descend for about a mile to the junction with Echo Lake’s trail. We will follow this trail from the junction along an old and rocky service road. Reaching the lake will be our midway point for this trip.
The hike back will be along the same trails we took in. The start of our return trip will include the longest ascent of the trip as we make our way back up Overlook Mountain. We will follow back the way we came until we reach the junction of the Overlook and Overlook Spur trails. From here, attendees can decide if they would like to make an additional trek up to the Fire Tower and Overlook Viewpoint or head back down. Following whatever decisions are made, the remainder of the hike will be back down the service road we started our hike on. Once we reach the Parking Lot, you will have completed one of the most invigorating and beautiful hikes in the Catskills
Items to Bring:
Water – 2 to 3 Liters as needed. There is no water to filter or treat until we reach Echo Lake, and that water MUST be treated or filtered before consumption.
Snacks & Lunch – Make sure to pack plenty of snacks and a lunch for this hike. Because of the extent of this hike, make sure you also have bags to store your trash.
Trekking Poles (If needed) – There are a few steeper sections but the trail is mostly rocky and has long sections of ascent and descent. Extended periods of elevation gain or loss can wear down muscles faster, please prepare accordingly.
Hiking Boots or Shoes – Trail runners are acceptable, just make sure your footwear can handle a rocky trail.
Bug Spray – While up on Overlook we might not have too many issues, Echo Lake is a big pool of stagnant water and has the potential to be buggy. (NOTE: You will not be allowed to swim in Echo Lake once bug spray is applied.)
Sunscreen – There will be sections with minimal to no canopy and high sun exposure. Please pack sunscreen as a precaution. (NOTE: You will not be allowed to swim in Echo Lake if you have applied sunscreen.)
This hike has a strenuous difficulty level.
SUGGESTED DONATION: $10/PERSON AT REGISTRATION
HIKE FOR THE CATSKILLS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE CATSKILLS WHILE HELPING TO PROTECT CRITICAL CATSKILLS HABITATS, KEEP OUR LAND AND WATERS WILD (EVEN AT THE MOST POPULAR HIKING DESTINATIONS), AND ADVOCATE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE CATSKILL PARK.
THIS MONTH-LONG EVENT IS MEANT FOR EVERYONE! FROM COMPLETE BEGINNERS TO EXPERT-LEVEL HIKERS, ALL ARE WELCOME TO REGISTER. CHOOSE YOUR OWN HIKING GOAL BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE AND AVAILABILITY. THE CATSKILL CENTER WILL HOST A VARIETY OF HIKING EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH ALL OVER THE CATSKILLS.