Panther Mountain (New York)

Panther Mountain
Panther from the west, along Route 28 near Highmount
Highest point
Elevation	~3,720 feet (~1,134 m)
Prominence	980 feet (300 m)
Listing	Catskill 3500 Club
Coordinates	42°03′23″N 74°23′42″W / 42.05639°N 74.39500°W / 42.05639; -74.39500Coordinates: 42°03′23″N 74°23′42″W / 42.05639°N 74.39500°W / 42.05639; -74.39500
Geography
Location	Shandaken, New York, U.S.
Parent range	Catskills
Topo map	USGS Shandaken
Climbing
Easiest route	trail

Panther Mountain is one of the Catskill High Peaks, located in the Town of Shandaken in Ulster County, New York. At approximately 3,720 feet (1,130 m) in elevation, it is the 18th highest in the range. A combination of factors has led geologists to believe the mountain is on the site of an ancient meteorite impact crater.

Its proximity to Slide Mountain, the highest Catskill peak, the relatively short distance required to climb the mountain from the south and the excellent views available from the mountain and nearby Giant Ledge have made Panther one of the most popular hikes in the range. Aspiring members of the Catskill Mountain 3500 Club must climb it twice, at least once during winter.

The origin of the name is unknown. Panthers may once have been seen in the area; but are not resident in the Catskills today.

The mountain takes the shape of a longitudinal ridge in the center of the rough circle mostly formed by Esopus and Woodland creeks. Slide's north ridge begins right where the Panther/Giant Ledge ridge ends. Two named tributaries of Woodland, its Dougherty Branch and Panther Kill, rise on the mountain's western slopes.

Three of the valleys around the edge of the mountain have earned separate names of their own. Going clockwise from the southwest, they are Little Peck Hollow, Hatchery Hollow and Fox Hollow. The ridge aside the Daugherty Branch is called Fork Ridge.

The mountain rises gradually from the north, with many false summits. The drop to the south, to the col with Giant Ledge, is much sharper.