Created from 6 pictures from Giant Ledge




Pick a Catskill 35 Peak:

North Dome Catskill 35 Index CHH Index Scary 19 Index NJ1K Index C100PP Index

North Dome is often done in conjunction with Mount Sherrill. Several different approaches are possible and none are easy. Getting down from Sherrill to the north involves avoiding some treacherous cliffs that come upon you suddenly. Beware of the nettles!




Trailhead Coordinates
Name Coordinates
Spruceton Road (Mink Hollow) N 42.1919 W74.3248
Route 42 (Shaft Road) N42.1659 W74.4088

Quick Look - North Dome and Sherrill from Mink Hollow
Difficulty Round trip Total climb Location Internet Maps
Trail difficultyTrail difficultyTrail difficultyTrail difficultyTrail difficulty 6.3 mi. (7.3 mi.) 2485 ft. N42.1733 W74.3494 AllTrails

Catskill 35 peak map

Take Rt. 42 north from Shandaken off Rt. 28. In Spruceton make a right on Spruceton Rd. along the West Kill. Park at the Mink Hollow parking area on the right just out of Spruceton. Find the red-blazed Devil's Path. After 1.4 miles you will be in the swamp that signals the beginning of the bushwhack to North Dome. During the summer this area has biting mosquitoes and stinging nettles. From here you "head up" which happens to be toward the west. The distance is just less than 2 miles but the climbs are VERY steep at times and numerous seemingly impossible cliffs block the way. Sometimes the cliffs can be scaled but other times it is better to just go around. The elevation gain is about 1200 ft. until you arrive at the canister on the summit of North Dome (3610 ft.) Head west again and drop into the Col between North Dome and Mt. Sherrill. The drop is between 500 and 600 ft. Now the 500 ft. climb to Sherrill begins with an initial steep area which levels out near the summit of Mt. Sherrill (3540 ft.) The distance between the two peaks is only 1 mile but it seems much longer. From here it is possible to backtrack to return to the parking area. The cliffs and nettles make another route seem more inviting. Head in a northwesterly direction initially off the peak. Turn northeast with your objective being the Spruceton Rd. The beginning of the descent is steep and your main job is to avoid stepping off one of the numerous drop offs that hide in the dense forest. The total descent is over 1900 ft. in less than 2 miles. Depending on your exact path, you will cross Bennett Brook at about 1.7 miles and another .2 miles will lead you to a bridge across the West Kill. Crossing streams can be tricky depending on the amount of water so plan accordingly. Once on the Spruceton Rd. its about a 1.7 mile walk back to the car but anything is better than the nettles.
Catskill 35 peak profile

(The image at the left is the vertical profile for the hike. Don't be fooled by the gentle curves. Some of the ascents and descents are very challenging.)