Eagle is often done in conjunction with Balsam. Several approaches are possible with the shorter ones being steep and the gentler climbs being long.

Quick Look - Eagle and Balsam from McKenley Hollow
Difficulty	Round trip	Total climb	Location	Internet Maps
	8.8 mi.	2910 ft.	N42.0619 W74.5097	MSR Maps	GPSies

Take the Claryville Rd. north from Rt. 55 in Curry outside of Grahamsville. Just short of Claryville turn left onto the Frost Valley Rd. Pass the Frost Valley YMCA camp and continue on passing the Big Indian and Slide Mt. trail heads of the right and the Panther Mt. Parking area at the hairpin turn on the left. Look for McKenley Hollow Rd. on the left. You may also come in from Rt. 28 in Big Indian and look for McKenley Hollow Rd. on your right. Turn here, drive to the end of the road and pull into the parking area.

Walk up the road and look for the red-blazed Oliveria-Mapledale trail on the left. Turn onto this trail and cross a bridge over a stream. There are two MORE water crossings that do NOT have bridges and can be tricky after it has rained. In .6 miles you will be at the lean-to. Pass the lean-to and watch as the trail turns left and crosses the stream. Continue for another 1.15 miles on this trail at which point it crosses the blue-blazed Pine Hill-West Branch Trail. This trail is VERY STEEP in places and can be interesting both ascending and descending! It is also lined with nettles during the spring and summer.

Turn left on the blue-blazed trail. Stay on this trail for 2.15 miles to reach the summit of Eagle Mt. (3600 ft.). You will also pass over Haynes Mt. which falls only 80 ft. short of being 3500. Turn around and backtrack along the blue-blazed trail to the junction with the red-blazed Oliveria-Mapledale trail. Turn right to return to the parking area. Continue straight ahead for .75 miles to the summit of Balsam Mt. (3600 ft.). Turn around and retrace your route to the red-blazed trail. Turn left and hike 1.85 miles back to the parking area.