Catskill 3500 Club
Section: Northern Peaks | Central Peaks | Southern Peaks | Off Trail & Winter | Hiking Resources
Panther Mountain 3720'
Panther Mountain from the Spectacular Giant Ledge
USGS Map: Shandaken
NY-NJ Trail Conference Map: #42
Order of Height:18
Access: Via Giant Ledge-Panther-Fox Hollow Trail
Description: Panther Mountain rises between Woodland Creek on the east
and Esopus Creek to the west. It is the closest mountain to the major
east-west thoroughfare of the Catskills, Route 28. From the summit, there is
a nice view north towards the Devil's Path from the summit.
View north of Devil's Path from Panther Mountain
To the south of the summit lies the unique mountain Giant Ledge. Giant Ledge is the largest of the ledges typical of the Catskills, and it affords many fine views. On the descent towards Giant Ledge, there is a view just off the trail towards the Burroughs Range, Giant Ledge and Winisook Lake.
Access from County Route 47 to the south is via the Phoenicia-East Branch Trail and the Giant Ledge-Panther-Fox Hollow Trail. While this route climbs over Giant Ledge, it is shorter and easier than the route from the north. Access from the north is via the Giant Ledge-Panther-Fox Hollow Trail from Fox Hollow. Panther is one of the required winter peaks.
Links for Panther Mountain
NYSDEC Interactive Locator Map
Slide Mountain Wilderness - NYSDEC
Slide Mountain Wilderness - Wikipedia
Panther Mountain Meteor Crater
Photo credit: Scott Larson