Cat Mountain via Red Trail is a 3.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Bolton Landing, New York that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, bird watching, and snowshoeing. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The parking area is very easy to miss as the signage is not very noticeable. Off line map is recommended to get oriented as several users have reported that this trail is not well marked and it's easy to get lost. The trail initially heads along a carriage road around Edgecomb Pond. About a quarter-mile in, make a left and follow the red trail into the forest. Initially this trail is fairly flat and easy, but at about the one-mile mark it starts to become steeper and turns into a moderate uphill trek. At about 1.5 miles the trail becomes steeper still for the final push but the views just before the summit are beautiful and offer a taste of whats to come. The views from the summit are stunning. From the summit, you can choose to return along the same route (makes for GREAT butt-sliding in the winter). Alternatively you could turn it into a loop by following the blue trail back to the carriage road. Look out for the Geocache along the trail close to the summit.
April 18, 2021Still a bit wet from the weekend rain and the water is running down the streams. A few red paint markers were faded, but only cost us a few minutes to find the right patch. The final few hundred feet of elevation were quite a push. I hiked with a 15 month old baby on my back, so we took our time. Awesome view of Lake George and the islands. A few boats out on the lake this early spring. Caught the geocache on the way back, super cool!
April 11, 2021very nice overall hike basically following a Jeep trail I thought it was very well marked and the views on the top were awesome.
April 9, 20214/9/21~65 sunny beautiful day for a hike. Follow the trail from the parking lot that has the metal gate. The trail is marked with red markers to start. Once you get past the pond on your right, the trail will turn to your left. Look for trees that are spray painted red. A few areas are muddy, nothing too bad. A lot of roots, rocks & leaves covering the trail. It’s partly shaded, a moderate amount of sun. The trail is pretty worn down which makes it easier to follow. A few switchbacks I had to stop & look for the red markings. It’s a gradual climb, definitely a good workout. The view from the top makes it worth the sweat didn’t pass anyone on the trail but saw a few people sitting at the top. No wildlife to be seen, a few chipmunks racing around. Would recommend this hike for a good workout, I would say it’s moderate if you’re use to hiking, a little tough if it’s your first one. I say “Go for it” enjoy the view at the top!!
April 4, 2021Markings on the way in have to be redone with a brighter Red. Spent a lot of unnecessary time trying to fine the trail markers. The way out was much better marked. The summit was beautiful, trail conditions were good.The company was excellent. This was about the high end of my moderate trail experience
April 4, 2021No need for micro spikes, little muddy on the bottom. Be sure to follow painted trees for trail marks
April 4, 2021We hiked this trail yesterday and it was a great hike with a beautiful view at the summit. Somehow we went from the red trail to the blue trail and the hike ended up being 5 miles round trip. It was a good hike and a good workout. Most of the snow is melted just a few icy spots near the top but we did it without trex and we were able to navigate around it.
March 29, 2021Started out a little icy and we missed the left turn to the woods part of the trail in the beginning. The red was painted on every other tree for the most part but a few times we had to look around for where to go next. About half way in it became a steady climb up the mountain. The last 0.5 miles to the top were very steep and challenging but views are amazing. Might consider this on the challenging side of moderate.
March 25, 2021March 21, 2021Went for a sunrise hike, I love that I was able to walk along the pond on my way in -the stars were so bright. Very well marked trail, definitely want to wear ice pics on your shoes at this point in the season the last stretch of the hike is pure ice! More of a challenging hike for the last mile or so mostly because of the ice-but absolutely worth every minute of it when you get to the top! The view all the way around is breathtaking!
March 20, 2021Went early to see the sun rise. The view at the summit is always gorgeous. Spikes a must - more than 2/3 of the trail is covered by ice. Be careful when climbing down
March 16, 2021variable conditions icy in parts. microscopes only needed.
March 14, 2021Definitely need microspikes...icy but doable.
March 14, 2021March 11, 2021Short hike for gorgeous views!
March 6, 2021Micro spikes all the way. Some icy spots as the snow is melting rapidly.
March 6, 2021My friend and I did this trail with mirospikes all the way. We went up the red trail and then down the blue trail to make it a loop. This was recommended to us by fellow hikers and we're very glad we listened! Red trail was super steep and icy near the top. Views from the top were incredibly stunning. So be prepared for a climb and just know that the views are worth it.
March 3, 2021Hiked on 3/3/21 with microspikes only. Trail was well marked and packed down. Very enjoyable hike with lovely views at the top!!
February 25, 2021Went out and back via the red trail. Trail was very visible and nicely packed down. I used snowshoes about half way but you could probably get to the top with just spikes.
February 24, 2021Was a great morning hike. Definitely suggest if snowshoeing to use the blue trail. I went up via red trail with a couple difficulties closer to the top. Red trail and very up down blue trail is a smoother assent.
February 22, 2021February 21, 2021Beautiful, sunny day with temps just below freezing. The views from the top were great. The first parking lot off of Valley Woods Road (at the beginning of the blue trail) was full when we drove past at 1pm, with 10-15 cars parked on the road. The second lot, near Edgecomb Pond, at the start of the red trail, was nearly empty. Once on the trail, we purposely passed the alternate red trail we usually take, marked with the red paint blazes (it’s a bit shorter and steeper). The trail that we did take, marked with red, then blue discs was well packed down. We used microspikes, which were perfect. I’m glad I didn’t carry my snowshoes, because they were totally unnecessary. In a few places where I could see snowshoe tracks off of the packed trail, I could see that, invariably, the snowshoer broke through the crusty layer and left an imprint 4-12 inches deep. It looked like a lot of work. Have never hiked this in the winter, but will be back again soon.
February 19, 2021We ended up using the blue trail both directions. We missed the turnoff for the red trail as the main path continues with red trail markers!! Still the extra distance was welcome, and a good workout as you broke through a layer of ice on the snow with every step. We used snowshoes... worth it! The views were amazing!
February 12, 2021fun snowshoeing !
