Catskill 3500 Club
Section: Northern Peaks | Central Peaks | Southern Peaks | Off Trail & Winter | Hiking Resources
Cornell Mountain 3860'
As the trail wanders through this subalpine jungle, it looks submerged in a sea of green”
Cornell from Panther Trail
USGS Map: Phoenicia
NY-NJ Trail Conference Map: #43
Order of Height: 9
Access: Via Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide Trail
Description: Cornell is the central peak of the Burroughs Range. The summit is on a yellow-blazed spur trail just east of the main trail at the height of land. From the summit there is a somewhat overgrown view east over the Ashokan Reservoir. Just west of the summit on the main trail, there is a spectacular view west of Slide and Panther Mountains. Getting to Cornell can be quite challenging as access from the north is over Wittenberg Mountain and from the west is over Slide Mountain.
Climbing the steep rock on Cornell Mountain
Just north of the summit is a steep ledge that can require an ice axe and crampons in the winter. From the north, take the Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide Trail from Woodland Valley.
Red tape: A parking fee is charged at the trail head parking area at Woodland Valley State Campground during the campgrounds camping season.
This trail climbs over the Wittenberg and traverses the Bruin's Causeway to Cornell. From the west, take the Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide trail over Slide. This trail originates on Slide Mountain Road just south of Winisook Lake.
Slide Mtn Wilderness Map (opens in new window)
Links for Cornell Mountain
NYSDEC Interactive Locator Map
Slide Mountain Wilderness - NYSDEC
Photo credit: Top: Scott Larson | Bottom: Kevin Morgan