A detour left contours a similarly wooded slope of maple, birch, and beech, coming to the foot of Cabot Mountain and a fairly steep ascent. Although steep, the thin footpath retains its earth. Amid the ledges and overhangs, expect to use your hands, and beware a hail of loose rock from any hikers above you. Traveling the wooded flat at the edge of the slope, look for the open ledge of Beaver Kill Vista at 2.4 miles. While leafy trees filter much of the view, Touchmenot Mountain, the Catskill ridges beyond Beaver Kill, and the glare of Little Pond still reward.
Columbine dresses the rock, drawing hummingbirds to the hiker's feet.
Past the vista point lies a wooded summit flat with a lush fern floor. Return to the 1.7-mile junction at 3.3 miles, staying on the red trail for a mildly rolling, shady walk to Touchmenot Mountain. Cross a rocky drainage and climb, finding wooded flats between the steep ledge ascents. At the marked junction at 3.8 miles, go right on the blue trail to close the loop at Little Pond. The red trail turns left for Barkaboom Road and Big Pond in 1 mile.