If you’re planning on hiking in the Empire State, there are five amazing hikes that are worth tackling very first. But if you’ve been exploring New York for a while now, you may be ready to take on something that’s more unique and above an easy difficulty level. Bringing you down into the Catskill Mountains, you’ll be surprised at what you’ll find on one of the tallest mountains in the region. The Overlook Mountain Trail plane crash site is a startling and eerie spot. You may want to visit it with a friend in tow.
Head to the adventurous area of Greene County and you’ll find what was once believed to be the tallest mountain in the region, Kaaterskill High Peak.
TheTurducken / Flickr This is the starting place of your adventure, but it’s certainly not the most impressive thing you’ll spot on your journey.
The mountain is one that’s considered to be difficult to hike, with a length of eight miles round trip and generally taking anywhere from 5 to 6 hours to complete.
Thomas Perry/AllTrails As you can imagine, this is not for the faint of heart. We recommend that only experienced hikers, and those not easily spooked, take on this difficult trail.
And while the view from the summit won’t allow you to see too much, it’s what you’ll find along the way to the top that keeps drawing hikers to this spot.
Thomas Perry/AllTrails
Throughout this hike you’ll discover an old Mohawk Indian Camp and not one… but two plane crashes.
TheTurducken/Flickr That’s right! The Overlook Mountain Trail plane crash sites are jarring and unexpected. Something about those mountains is apparently extremely distracting to plane pilots.
The most popular plane crash ruins to visit on the mountain can be found just south of Kaaterskill’s summit, along the trail you’ll take to get to Hurricane Ledge.
TheTurducken/Flickr Back on May 26, 1983, a man from Watertown by the name of Rex Miller crashed his plane into Kaaterskill High Peak. Unfortunately, while Miller was trying to make his way back home from Poughkeepsie, he encountered bad weather while flying and would crash into the mountain roughly 3,400 feet above the ground. Today, the remains of Miller’s plane (and supposedly even one of his shoes) can be found roughly 500 feet away from Kaaterskill’s summit on the way to Hurricane Ledge. There’s something very chilling about knowing you’re on the site where such a terrifying event occurred.
The second crash is one that’s a bit harder to reach but can be found towards the beginning of the hike.
Thomas Perry/AllTrails Apparently, the 80s was a bad year for flying through the Catskills because on June 25, 1987, another plane crashed into Kaaterskill High Peak. Down on the mountain if you follow the Snowmobile Loop Trail, you’ll discover the remains of a cargo plane that crashed into the mountain. The cargo plane had two passengers aboard that did not survive the crash, they too were flying on a cloudy night that had less than ideal weather conditions. Those who wish to see this plane crash will have to trek through muddy areas and even prepare themselves for bushwhacking. But for lovers of the macabre, it certainly pays off. You’ll be able to spot the wreckage from the crash, though we can’t promise it’s not haunted by the souls of the deceased.
With so much history waiting for you on Kaaterskill High Peak, it’s not hard to see why so many people are curious to explore these trails for themselves.
Thomas Perry/AllTrails The Overlook Mountain Trail plane crash sites are a fascinating thing to come upon in the woods and thrill seekers will find just what they’re searching for in these startling remains.
Who’s ready to climb up to the top of the 23rd tallest mountain in the Catskill Region to discover some fascinating and slightly eerie pieces of the past?
Thomas Perry/AllTrails
Would you ever take on this hike? Or have you been? If you have, let us know in the comments below, we love to hear the first-hand experiences of our readers.
TheTurducken / Flickr
This is the starting place of your adventure, but it’s certainly not the most impressive thing you’ll spot on your journey.
Thomas Perry/AllTrails
As you can imagine, this is not for the faint of heart. We recommend that only experienced hikers, and those not easily spooked, take on this difficult trail.
TheTurducken/Flickr
That’s right! The Overlook Mountain Trail plane crash sites are jarring and unexpected. Something about those mountains is apparently extremely distracting to plane pilots.
Back on May 26, 1983, a man from Watertown by the name of Rex Miller crashed his plane into Kaaterskill High Peak. Unfortunately, while Miller was trying to make his way back home from Poughkeepsie, he encountered bad weather while flying and would crash into the mountain roughly 3,400 feet above the ground. Today, the remains of Miller’s plane (and supposedly even one of his shoes) can be found roughly 500 feet away from Kaaterskill’s summit on the way to Hurricane Ledge. There’s something very chilling about knowing you’re on the site where such a terrifying event occurred.
Apparently, the 80s was a bad year for flying through the Catskills because on June 25, 1987, another plane crashed into Kaaterskill High Peak. Down on the mountain if you follow the Snowmobile Loop Trail, you’ll discover the remains of a cargo plane that crashed into the mountain. The cargo plane had two passengers aboard that did not survive the crash, they too were flying on a cloudy night that had less than ideal weather conditions. Those who wish to see this plane crash will have to trek through muddy areas and even prepare themselves for bushwhacking. But for lovers of the macabre, it certainly pays off. You’ll be able to spot the wreckage from the crash, though we can’t promise it’s not haunted by the souls of the deceased.
The Overlook Mountain Trail plane crash sites are a fascinating thing to come upon in the woods and thrill seekers will find just what they’re searching for in these startling remains.
To experience more unique and somewhat spooky trails, check out these seven trails in New York that will lead you to extraordinary ruins!
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Address: Kaaterskill High Peak, Hunter, NY 12427, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Abandoned Places In New York February 09, 2023 CC What are other abandoned places in New York? After visiting the plane crash sites (if you dare), check out these other abandoned sites in New York.
Abandoned Girl Scout Camp - Beechwood State Park Abandoned Ghost Town of Tahawus – Newcomb Overlook Mountain – Woodstock Muttontown Preserve – Syosset Renwick Smallpox Hospital - Roosevelt Island Bennett School for Girls – Millbrook
What are haunted places in New York? If you’ve got the guts, consider checking out these haunted places in New York as well.
Fort Ontario – Oswego Landmark Theatre – Syracuse Wayside Irish Pub – Elbridge Belhurst Castle – Geneva Spook Hill – Middlesex Historical Museums - Palmyra
The OIYS Visitor Center
Abandoned Places In New York
February 09, 2023
CC
What are other abandoned places in New York? After visiting the plane crash sites (if you dare), check out these other abandoned sites in New York.
Abandoned Girl Scout Camp - Beechwood State Park Abandoned Ghost Town of Tahawus – Newcomb Overlook Mountain – Woodstock Muttontown Preserve – Syosset Renwick Smallpox Hospital - Roosevelt Island Bennett School for Girls – Millbrook
What are haunted places in New York? If you’ve got the guts, consider checking out these haunted places in New York as well.
Fort Ontario – Oswego Landmark Theatre – Syracuse Wayside Irish Pub – Elbridge Belhurst Castle – Geneva Spook Hill – Middlesex Historical Museums - Palmyra
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
After visiting the plane crash sites (if you dare), check out these other abandoned sites in New York.
- Abandoned Girl Scout Camp - Beechwood State Park
- Abandoned Ghost Town of Tahawus – Newcomb
- Overlook Mountain – Woodstock
- Muttontown Preserve – Syosset
- Renwick Smallpox Hospital - Roosevelt Island
- Bennett School for Girls – Millbrook
What are haunted places in New York?
If you’ve got the guts, consider checking out these haunted places in New York as well.
- Fort Ontario – Oswego
- Landmark Theatre – Syracuse
- Wayside Irish Pub – Elbridge
- Belhurst Castle – Geneva
- Spook Hill – Middlesex
- Historical Museums - Palmyra
