Slide, Cornell, and Wittenberg Out and Back

Parking Considerations

As Slide mountain is one of the most popular peaks in the Catskills to hike, this parking lot can fill up quick, so hikers should be sure to arrive either early enough so that the lot hasn’t filled yet, or late enough so that some cars may be leaving and opening up available parking spots.

Up Slide

The route begins on the Phoenicia East Branch Trail with an immediate crossing of the West Branch of the Neversink River (though it is usually only a small, easily crossable stream) followed by a relatively easy trail through the woods. After about 0.7 miles, the hiker will turn left onto the Wittenberg Cornell Slide trail, or they have the option to make the hike slightly longer by continuing a bit and getting on the Curtis Ormsbee trail. This optional detour would add some distance and steepness to the overall route. The Wittenberg Cornell Slide trail continues at an easy grade (it maxes out at 24% on the climb up Slide) until a viewpoint will be apparent on the hiker’s left, looking to the north. This is the best viewpoint on Slide mountain. Summit after a total of roughly 2.7 miles and 1,700 ft. of elevation gain the hiker will reach the summit there is a monument to John Burroughs, and an open rock face with a view that is partially obstructed by trees. 

Over Slide

The hiker will continue forth on the Wittenberg Cornell Slide trail, descending the significantly steeper western face of Slide. The hiker will lose about 900 ft. of elevation over the course of 0.7 miles before it will flatten out, and there are wooden step ladders to help with the steep descent (and re-ascent later on). Weather dependent, there will be a view on this side of Slide looking ahead at Cornell and Wittenberg mountains. There is also a fairly reliable Spring located along this descent stretch. 

Up Cornell and Wittenberg

The hike will flatten out significantly and guide the hiker through the wooded ridge, past a few campsites until at about 4 miles total, the ascent up Cornell will begin. It will be about a 600 ft. climb over the course of a mile until the summit of Cornell, with not much view to speak of. Immediately past the summit of Cornell is the infamous “Cornell Crack” which is a 50 ft. rock with a crack down the middle to aid in the descent. This part can be challenging for those with fears of heights or lack of upper body strength, and some hikers opt to bring a rope and then remove it on their way back. Besides The Crack the trip to Wittenberg is relatively straightforward, being only about 0.9 miles distance, including 300 ft. down in elevation and 200 ft. up. The summit of Wittenberg has one of the most acclaimed views in the area, with views looking at the Ashokan reservoir and Kingston and the Hudson River beyond. 

Retracing the Route

After the summit has been thoroughly enjoyed the hiker will simply turn around and retrace their steps on the Wittenberg Cornell Slide trail, with the first immediate challenge being re-climbing the Cornell Crack, which will require a different set of muscles than were used to descend it. After re-climbing Cornell, the trail will descend again past the campsites on the Burroughs ridge. Finally, the hiker will be faced with a steep 900 ft. climb to get back to the Summit of slide. This climb should not be underestimated as by this point in the hike the hiker has already come 8 miles and done about 3,000 ft. of climbing. The max grade of this climb is about 36% near the wooden step ladders. The Spring should be available to those needing to hydrate. Once this steep climb is completed, it’s an easy and gradual descent down the eastern face of Slide. If there is extra time or energy, the hiker can consider taking the Curtis Ormsbee trail down which will add some time and distance to the route, but provide slightly differing scenery to their approach.