Catskill 3500 Club
Section: Northern Peaks | Central Peaks | Southern Peaks | Off Trail & Winter | Hiking Resources
Balsam Cap Mountain 3623'
Balsam Cap Canister
USGS Map: West Shokan
NY-NJ Trail Conference Map: #43
Order of Height: 24
Access: Via Bushwhack
Description: One of three peaks with "balsam" in its name, this one lives up to it. Surrounded by a thick spruce-balsam forest, the summit is a challenge to reach. Views are only available in the winter, when the snow is deep. Balsam Cap is commonly climbed along with Friday Mountain.
Access is from Moon Haw Road in Maltby Hollow to the east or from the Neversink valley to the west. Most people access Balsam Cap from Maltby Hollow via the col between Friday and Balsam Cap, since there are cliffs and a fearsome ledge on the direct ridge from Maltby Hollow. Access from the Neversink is long and through difficult spruce and balsam.
Eastern access is from state land at the turnaround at the end of Moon Haw road. Former access via private property in Maltby Hollow is no longer permitted (do not trespass). Be sure to sign in at the summit canister.
Slide Mtn Wilderness Map (opens in new window)
Links for Balsam Cap Mountain
NYSDEC Interactive Locator Map
Slide Mountain Wilderness - NYSDEC
Photo credit: Aaron Schoenberg