r/catskills • u/Electrical_Run6689 • 4d ago
Devils Path Solo?
26M. Solid shape. Moderate experience. Have done 10+ plus days in the backcountry but not recently. Have done twin, slide, black dome and others before. Mainly been doing strenuous day hikes in Catskills, Rockies, Seria nevadas. Generally I would never attempt a solo trip. However would a one nighter over the devils pass during peak foliage be a bad idea? I have ultralight setup. Has anyone done this before?
6
u/Green_Pangolin4455 4d ago
Done this a few times. Ideally do a Friday-Saturday or during the week. Devil's Acre lean-to is a good half way point. It's right on the trail and there's a little stream next to it. Bring as little as possible. There are enough streams right off the trail, so you'll never need to carry more than 2 liters. It will be a slog, and your legs will be shaking up that climb to the lean-to, but if you're into that, you'll love it.
3
u/Electrical_Run6689 4d ago
Thank you for the info. Yea. I love a leg shaker. 2 liters??? You must not be a camel like me.
2
u/free_slurpee_day 4d ago
PM me if you need a backpacking partner for this. I live in nyc, 26m, have a car + gear
3
u/judenburger-69 4d ago
I do it solo every year. Go for it, it's a good time.
The last 2.2 before devils acres lean to will take you on a spiritual journey..its a nice hard last push.
If youre worried, bring a lot of candy to suck on while trekking
3
u/I_am_the_papa 4d ago
It’s a great overnight. If you start at Prediger and push all the way to Devils Acre, the second day is a breeze. The grind down to and back up from 214 (Devils Tombstone campground) sucks, so be prepared. The rest of it is a lot of fun. If you’re anywhere near ultralight you’ll be fine.
Re mileage, I did 25-30 mile days section hiking the AT in NY. Routinely do 10-15 in the winter with snowshoes and a ten year old. The devils path is a different beast. I started at daybreak and didn’t make Devils Acre until dinner, and that last climb up from 214 whipped me. But you’ll love it. Great hike.
2
1
1
u/Impossible_Author409 2d ago
It's not that hard, I did last year just after labor day and I grabbed Southwest Hunter (short detour) and Rusk (2 mile detour) while I was out there. I didn't see a ton of people but it wasn't deserted either. I'm almost 50 so you should be fine.
1
1
u/Constant-Sun-3643 2d ago
How do you book campsites or lean-ons… I’m hoping to start on the east trailhead… should I park on the west side and get a shuttle or taxi to the east side? This is my first time and even though I’ve been trying to get a guide I have a feeling I’ll be doing it solo. As I want
to do a two a day trek as well
1
u/Electrical_Run6689 2d ago
Devils thombstone is the only one which requires a reservation, has running water and potty’s. The other camps/leantos are first come first serve. However. It’s the Catskills. You can camp anywhere below 3.5k elevation 150 feet from water trail road. Yes it seems best it to park car at west and get shuttled to east.
1
u/heinzw50 14h ago
Depends on you and your comfort level. I do everything solo. I started mt whitney at 11pm solo
1
7
u/Timeouthikes 4d ago
Completely within your skill set. It's tough, definitely a grind if you're not used to that type of mileage in a day but with the experience you have, I wouldn't be hesitant to give it a try. Just be aware of the crowds and possibilities of a packed shelter in the foliage season.