Panther Mountain

Panther Peak is the 18th highest mountain in New York State with an elevation of 4,442 ft.  The hike is about 17.6 miles and will take on average, 13.5 hours to hike round trip. 

The hike is rather easy and is good for beginners to hike.  Panther Peak is located in the Town of Shandaken in Ulster County, New York and is part of the Santanoni Mountains.

An interesting aspect of this mountain is that the area around it is a ring-shaped valley that geologists believe was caused by an ancient metorite impact crater. 

The normal route starts about .3 miles south of the Santanoni lean-to at the beaver dam.  Once you cross the dam, you will find a heard path that points west. You will then reach a brook descending from the Panther-Santanoni ridge.  Walk up this brook for about .5 miles and then you will reach what is called "Time Square."  From here, you can reach all the peaks in the Santanoni Mountains.