Van Wyck - The mountain not the expressway

Howie and I had a little adventure in the Catskill mountains. I climbed Van Wyck an Woodhull mountains. Started at the lower parking lot for the Sundown Forest camping area. After cutting through the camping field, I followed up Stone Cabin Brook. At one point, I slipped on a moss cover rock and fell square on my butt. Luckily my butt hit a rock that was flat and smooth. I clammered up the east bank to the old road which I followed for a couple miles before it petered out at around 2400 ft. Came upon a small plane engine at one point, but no other plane parts. Eventually reached the southern ridge of Van Wyck. The final push to the summit was steep, but short. Found the ledge with the good view. After a quick rest and snacks, I followed the ridge west over to Woodhull mountain. The highest point was marked with a rock cairn. (Actually two, but one was clearly higher than the other). Headed back down and finally picked up the old road above Stone Cabin Brook again. I followed it all the way down to the Roundout creek. There was no easy way to get across and following along the creek was not a great option. So, I took off my boots and waded across. Water was only six inches or so deep, but it was very c-c-c-cold. Followed CR 42 back down to my car. It was a very warm and sunny day...more like June than April. Bugs are starting to come out. A long day in the woods.

Summit Elevation: Van Wyck 3206 ft, Woodhull 3040 ft
Round-trip Distance: 10.5 mi
Elevation Change: 2510 ft

Van Wyck and Woodhull mountains