Saturday, May 26, 2007
Phelps
Got up early this morning (5 AM !) and drove up with Howie to the ADK Loj. Our destination today was Phelps mountain. The first time I climbed this high peak, I didn't have any view (clouded in). So, I wanted to revisit it and see what I missed. I thought I would mix it up a little by doing a loop (bushwack up one side and then take the trail down).
So, off Howie and I went down the VanHovenberg trail. Stopped at Marcy Dam for a break. Howie took a dip in the water - one of many for the day for it was a sunny and warm out (70s). Next, we headed down the truck trail to the bridge over Pelkey brook. An older couple were resting here. The lady took a folding stool out of her pack, set it up, and then sat down. (I thought this was kind of funny.) The brook crossing was the start of the off-trail portion of the trek. The couple probably thought I was nuts just heading off into the woods. After a short while, I picked up a trail of sorts (boot-leg ski trail), and then reached a nice, open birch glade. At this point, it was nice to be hiking with no one else around (especially on Memorial Day weekend). Toward the top, the forest changed to conifers, but was never really thick and I didn't have any problems. We reached the summit and there about a dozen people at the large viewing ledge. Had lunch, took some photos and then headed back down the marked trail and returned to the car. It was good to get out and go hiking today ... instead of having to play "dog detective". I was surprised at how few bugs there were ... and they weren't really biting.
Summit Elevation: Phelps 4161 ft
Round-trip Distance: 9.0 mi
Elevation Change: 2100 ft
Howie hiking
On the summit
Foot bridge
So, off Howie and I went down the VanHovenberg trail. Stopped at Marcy Dam for a break. Howie took a dip in the water - one of many for the day for it was a sunny and warm out (70s). Next, we headed down the truck trail to the bridge over Pelkey brook. An older couple were resting here. The lady took a folding stool out of her pack, set it up, and then sat down. (I thought this was kind of funny.) The brook crossing was the start of the off-trail portion of the trek. The couple probably thought I was nuts just heading off into the woods. After a short while, I picked up a trail of sorts (boot-leg ski trail), and then reached a nice, open birch glade. At this point, it was nice to be hiking with no one else around (especially on Memorial Day weekend). Toward the top, the forest changed to conifers, but was never really thick and I didn't have any problems. We reached the summit and there about a dozen people at the large viewing ledge. Had lunch, took some photos and then headed back down the marked trail and returned to the car. It was good to get out and go hiking today ... instead of having to play "dog detective". I was surprised at how few bugs there were ... and they weren't really biting.
Summit Elevation: Phelps 4161 ft
Round-trip Distance: 9.0 mi
Elevation Change: 2100 ft
Howie hiking
On the summit
Foot bridge
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Canine fugitive
So yesterday, Howie decided that he wanted to explore the neighborhood on his own. Ok, so I left the gate open while I was mowing the lawn. I still don't know how he snuck by me. Anyway, when I discovered he was missing, I looked all over the neighborhood for him ... both on foot and by car until it got dark. I figured somebody would find him and bring him back or call since he has an ID tag on his collar. Well, after a restless night, morning came and still no Howie. I printed out some 30 "lost dog" posters and scattered them around the area.
In the afternoon, I went down to the Menands animal shelter to see if he was there. The clerk said that the police had picked up a beagle in Albany. She showed me into the holding room and there he was. I wasn't able to pick him up today as the city has to release him. And that means, I have to pay a fine (for having a loose dog). But, I can't do that until Monday when the city clerks office is open. But, at least he is safe until I can "post his bail."
Sunday, May 06, 2007
It's Friday ... I'm not so much in love
Howie and I hiked two trail-less peaks in the Catskills on Sunday: Friday and Balsam Cap.
I parked near the end of Moonhaw Road and we started on a westerly course up the ridge. The woods were open hardwoods at this point and there were many old roads criss-crossing the area. As we got further up the ridge on Friday, there were some cliffs and ledges to negotiate around. We finally reached the summit and then commenced the search for the cannister. I wandered around for nearly an hour (uttering a few choice words at one point) until I found it. Signed the log and then we headed over to Balsam Cap following the ridge line. The woods were not hiker friendly at this point. Spruce thickets impeded our progress and at times seemed nearly impenetrable. It took us at least an hour and a half to cover the 0.75 miles distance between the two peaks. Luckily, it didn't take long at all to find the cannister on Balsam Cap. Took a late lunch break and then headed down off the ridge. What a relief to be in open woods again. We followed a contour line (roughly north) toward the drainage where there is an old plane wreck at around 2600 feet. It wasn't hard to spot. The day was getting long, so after taking some photos, we headed east back to our awaiting car. A tough day in the woods.
Summit Elevation: Friday 3694 ft, Balsam Cap 3623 ft
Round-trip Distance: 7 mi
Elevation Change: 2830 ft
On Friday
On Balsam Cap
Plane wreck
I parked near the end of Moonhaw Road and we started on a westerly course up the ridge. The woods were open hardwoods at this point and there were many old roads criss-crossing the area. As we got further up the ridge on Friday, there were some cliffs and ledges to negotiate around. We finally reached the summit and then commenced the search for the cannister. I wandered around for nearly an hour (uttering a few choice words at one point) until I found it. Signed the log and then we headed over to Balsam Cap following the ridge line. The woods were not hiker friendly at this point. Spruce thickets impeded our progress and at times seemed nearly impenetrable. It took us at least an hour and a half to cover the 0.75 miles distance between the two peaks. Luckily, it didn't take long at all to find the cannister on Balsam Cap. Took a late lunch break and then headed down off the ridge. What a relief to be in open woods again. We followed a contour line (roughly north) toward the drainage where there is an old plane wreck at around 2600 feet. It wasn't hard to spot. The day was getting long, so after taking some photos, we headed east back to our awaiting car. A tough day in the woods.
Summit Elevation: Friday 3694 ft, Balsam Cap 3623 ft
Round-trip Distance: 7 mi
Elevation Change: 2830 ft
On Friday
On Balsam Cap
Plane wreck
Friday, May 04, 2007
Cubicle escapee
It was too nice out to sit in a cubicle ... so I left work a little early and went up to Thatcher Park with Howie. We did a quick hike on the Indian Ladder trail and along the escarpment. Covered about 2-3 miles total.
View of Albany
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