Catskill 3500: Big Indian
Saturday, September 6, 2025
The Big Indian Wilderness is one of the more remote and rugged sections of the Catskills. Its rough trails and mountains do not receive a lot of visitors compared to other areas of the park. So, if you’re looking for some solitude in an isolated wilderness, this is the trip for you! Prepare to cross several streams as you slowly gain elevation on this beautiful hike through the forest. Once you reach the top of Big Indian, you’ll follow an unmarked trail to the true summit and see if you can find the 3500 Club’s canister.
This is a required peak for Catskill 3500 Club Membership and #19 Catskill High Peak (elevation 3,699’).
What’s included:
Level: Challenging (Learn More)
Mileage: 9.15 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,614 feet
Group Size: 2 – 12 adventurers
Departure:
Check-in Time: 6:30 am
Departure Time: 6:45 am
Return Time: Approximately 7:00 pm
Catch some spectacular views on this gorgeous hike! The trail comes right to the edge of the Hudson River. You will see panoramic views of the Palisade Cliffs on one side, and the beautiful Rockland Lake on the other. You will also hear the curious – and often forgotten – history of this lake. Did you know that it was once so famous that Thomas Edison Films documented the harvesting of ice there? Your guide will tell you how this lake is connected to the now ubiquitous tradition of putting ice in drinks.
Finally, you might even spot a few birds of prey, as we’ll be there at the end of their migration season.
Come with us on a very unique adventure!
What’s included:
Level: Intermediate (Learn More)
Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Group Size: 2 – 14 adventurers
Departure:
Check-in Time: 7:45 am
Departure Time: 8:00 am
Return Time: Approximately 6:00 pm
You DON’T have to have a dog to join this hike! If you would like some doggo time on the trail, come along!
Take your best friend on an outdoor adventure! Escape the City to explore lakes and ponds while navigating the woods together. Your pup will get a chance to frolic in nature while you are enjoying a day of hiking. After an afternoon of excitement, your pup will be tuckered out and happy to have spent the day in the wild.
This trip is perfect for medium and large dogs or active small dogs. Your dog must get along well with other dogs and people.
What’s included:
Level: Active (Learn More)
Mileage: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Group Size: 2 – 9 adventurers
Departure:
Union Square, Broadway and E 18th Street
Check-in Time 1: 7:00 am
Departure Time 1: 7:15 am
Departure 2: The North Face, UWS
Check-in Time 2: 7:30 am
Departure Time 2: 7:45 am
Return Time: Approximately 5:00 pm
Limited spots remaining
Rocks are meant for climbing! Whether you have experienced the unbridled joy of climbing outside, are a gym climber looking to climb outdoors, or a first-timer, join us for a trip to the Gunks, one of the best climbing areas in the country. Our rock guides will set up multiple ropes, so you will get a chance to try routes of varying difficulty and climb as much as you want throughout the day. We will teach you the basics and give feedback and beta throughout the day.
We will provide all the equipment that you need, including harnesses, helmets, and climbing shoes. Please email us your shoe size.
What’s included:
Level: Active (Learn More)
Mileage: There will be a 10-15-minute hike to the climbing wall. Please wear closed-toed shoes.
Elevation Gain: —
Group Size: 2 – 12 adventurers
Departure:
Check-in Time: 6:45 am
Departure Time: 7:00 am
Return Time: Approximately 7:00 pm
Join us on an adventure to the land of waterfalls. This hike has not one, not two, but EIGHT waterfalls. The tallest one is 60 feet tall. And it’s not an area we go to often! We are going to Ricketts Glen State Park. The hike is rocky, but moderate. It will get your blood pumping, but you will still get a chance to look around at all the natural beauty and chat with your fellow hikers. Looking for a scenic summer hike? Join us for a to the land of waterfalls!
What’s included:
Level: Intermediate (Learn More)
Mileage: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 942 feet
Group Size: 2 – 14 adventurers
Departure:
Check-in Time: 6:45 am
Departure Time: 7:00 am
Return Time: Approximately 7:00 pm
Fall is a beautiful time of year! And just as beautiful are all the amazing outdoor activities it offers. For this trip, enjoy the best of fall with Adventure Untamed. Spend the first half of the day hiking on the trails of Minnewaska State Park Preserve and see beautiful glacial lakes and sweeping ridge views. Then, enjoy the rest of the afternoon at a local orchard, picking apples (they have so much variety!) and pumpkins. We are going to a brand new orchard, so even if you have been out with us before, this will be a new experience. You can eat apples as you pick and only pay for what you take home. The orchard has lots of yummy food too!
What’s included:
Level: Relaxed (Learn More)
Mileage: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Group Size: 2 – 14 adventurers
Departure:
Check-in Time: 7:00 am
Departure Time: 7:15 am
Return Time: Approximately 5:30 pm
In our Fall Foliage series, we are taking you to beautiful places to see the leaves turn!
Spend your day on a scenic bike ride over the quiet roads of western Connecticut. Take in the beauty of the serene lakes and rivers, picturesque forests, and quiet New England towns. Feel the unencumbered freedom of being on a bike, with nothing but the open road in front of you. Be prepared for a full day in the saddle, filled with rolling hills and some climbs to get your blood pumping. You should have some prior biking experience, but we’ll keep the pace moderate, and you can always bail and take advantage of riding in the support vehicle if you don’t feel like finishing the ride. Experience the joy of discovering new places as a cyclist!
We will provide you with bikes and helmets. Please email us to let us know your height.
What’s included:
Level: Intermediate (Learn More)
Mileage: 25 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
Group Size: 2 – 12 adventurers
Departure:
Check-in Time: 7:45 am
Departure Time: 8:00 am
Return Time: Approximately 7:00 pm
In our Fall Foliage Series, we are taking you to beautiful places to see the leaves turn!
We’ll spend the first half of our day on the historic Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, ranging from Georgia to Maine. As we climb West Mountain, we’ll pass through one of the most picturesque areas in northern Harriman State Park. We’ll spend the beginning of the day enjoying the views, then make our way back on the historic 1777 Trail, which marks the route the British troops took on October 6, 1777 to attack the American army in the Battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery. Beginners welcome!
What’s included:
Level: Active (Learn More)
Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Group Size: 2 – 14 adventurers
Departure:
Check-in Time: 7:15 am
Departure Time: 7:30 am
Return Time: Approximately 5:30 pm
In our Fall Foliage series, we are taking you to beautiful places to see the leaves turn! Gertrude’s Nose is a classic fall foliage hike!
We’ll see one of the most iconic views in Minnewaska State Park Preserve! This hike traverses the ridge of Gertrude’s Nose, a unique rock formation on the Shawangunk Ridge. We’ll start our adventure at Lake Minnewaska, a glacial lake rimmed by towering, white sandstone cliffs. We’ll then traverse carriage roads and woodland trails and enjoy breathtaking views at the top of the ridge before reaching Gertrude’s Nose. With a keen eye and a little luck, you might spot local wildlife, like a porcupine or a black vulture, a recent addition to this area’s bird population.
What’s included:
Level: Intermediate (Learn More)
Mileage: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,138 feet
Group Size: 2 – 14 adventurers
Departure:
Check-in Time: 6:45 am
Departure Time: 7:00 am
Return Time: Approximately 6:30 pm
Limited spots remaining
We are hoping to catch a bit of the last fall foliage on this hike!
Today’s hike has a little bit of everything. We’ll start the day with a steep ascent to the Overlook Mountain House and spend some time exploring its ruins. Next, we’ll visit the Overlook Fire Tower where, if you dare to climb to the top, you’ll have an unparalleled 360-degree view of the Catskill Mountains. As we continue on we’ll visit a remote mountain lake and end the day at a beautiful waterfall. This Catskill ‘sightseeing’ adventure is one of a kind!
What’s included:
Level: Challenging (Learn More)
Mileage: 9 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,326 feet
Group Size: 2-8 participants
Departure:
Check-in Time: 6:30 am
Departure Time: 6:45 am
Return Time: Approximately 7:00 pm
Limited spots remaining
We are hoping to catch the last of the fall leaves on this hike!
This hike takes us to the very western edge of the Catskill Mountains. It’s so remote that it’s outside the official boundary of the Catskill Park. We’ll follow an old, unmarked trail to the summit of Vly Mountain before tackling Bearpen, the original “Beast of the East”. It got that nickname when it was poised to become a hub for Northeast skiing. Following an old ski road on a moderate climb to the top of Bearpen, we’ll enjoy spectacular views and investigate the ruins of an old ski lift.
These are required peaks for Catskill 3500 Club Membership and #32 and #28 Catskill High Peaks (elevation 3,542′ and 3,587′).
What’s included:
Level: Challenging (Learn More)
Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,010 feet
Group Size: 2 – 12 participants
Departure:
Check-in Time: 6:30 am
Departure Time: 6:45 am
Return Time: Approximately 7:00 pm
Spend Thanksgiving Day in great company! Staying local for Thanksgiving? Come with us!
On this classic Hudson Highlands hike we’ll traverse Storm King Mountain’s steep trails while we hike one of the few places where a river bisects the Appalachian Mountain Chain almost to sea level. This unique geological feature has created views both up and down the Hudson River that are truly magnificent. It’s a 5-mile hike, which will get you back to NYC early for your evening plans, but it still has enough elevation gain to get your blood pumping. We’ll take our time on the trail and get a workout, climbing a to the summit of this gorgeous mountain!
And if you have evening plans, we’ll get you back to the City by 4:00 pm! It’s the best of both worlds! Come, get your blood pumping, with enough time left at the end to still have evening plans! Gobble-gobble!
What’s included:
Level: Intermediate (Learn More)
Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,765 feet
Group Size: 2 – 14 adventurers
Departure:
Check-in Time: 7:00 am
Departure Time: 7:15 am
Return Time: Approximately 4:00 pm
Join us on a classic climb of the tallest mountain in the Northeast, with an extra challenge of doing it in precarious winter conditions. At 6,288 feet, boasting 4,000 feet of elevation gain over 4 miles, and harsh, unpredictable weather above treeline, this thrilling hike will challenge even experienced hikers.
Our adventure will take us up and down the classic Winter Lion’s Head Route, and we’ll experience everything from forest trails to the heart-pounding climbs up the steep, snow-covered slopes. Finally, we’ll make our way above the treeline and to the exposed summit cone.
If you are lucky enough to summit on a clear day, you will enjoy gorgeous views of the White Mountains and be able to see as far as Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Canada, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Experience: This trip is for experienced hikers with prior winter hiking experience. Please contact us at info@adventureuntamed.com for more information. We can help you create a training plan!
Accommodations: 4-person bunk rooms at the Joe Dodge Lodge, 2 nights.
Food: We will have lunch on the road the first day and the last day. Other than that, all meals are included.
Day 1 (February 14th)
We’ll depart at 7:00 am, stopping for lunch on the road. After arriving at the Joe Dodge Lodge, we’ll go for a short warm-up hike. We’ll test out our gear and learn crampon and ice axe use, as well as the skills to stay warm, dry, and safe in unpredictable winter conditions. After a moderate scramble to the top, gorgeous views of Mt. Washington will open up right in front of us, and you can trace the route you’ll be taking to the summit the next day. That evening we’ll enjoy dinner, do a gear check, and get a good night’s sleep before the summit attempt the following morning.
Day 2 (February 15th)
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll start the summit attempt of Mount Washington. The snowy terrain will get the blood pumping right away. Be prepared for steep ascents, especially as the day goes on and you enter the Alpine Zone and make your way up the summit cone. Once above the treeline, you may encounter extreme weather, but our guides will be there every step of the way to keep you safe. If the day is clear, winter-wonderland views of the White Mountains will open up at the top. The hike down, with its steep descents, can be just as challenging as the way up. Back at the lodge, we’ll unwind, relax, and have a delicious dinner to celebrate the day’s adventures.
Day 3 (February 16th)
After a good night’s rest, we’ll pack up, eat breakfast, and relax for the leisurely drive back to New York City, stopping for lunch along the way. You have a choice to sleep in or go on an optional pre-breakfast hike!
Level: Intense (Learn More)
Mileage: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,169 feet
Group Size: 2 – 9 adventurers
Departure:
Check-in Time: 6:45 am, February 17th
Departure Time: 7:00 am, February 17th
Return Time: Approximately 8:00 pm, February 19th
Explore the wild. Escape your comfort zone.
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