Friday, October 31, 2008

Waterworld

I took off from work early (do you see a pattern emerging?), and did a couple short local hikes with Howie. First, I went to Christman sanctuary (a nature preserve) and did the main loop trail. The creek had good flow from all the recent rains and the falls were nice. There was even some patches of snow in the woods! The next hike was at Plotterkill preserve. I checked out all three waterfalls from above and from below (which required some scrambling up and down the sides of the ravine). Got back to the car just before dusk.

Christman Preserve (fall)

Plotterkill preserve (fall)

Sunday, October 26, 2008

On Patrol

I went out to patrol my adopted section of trail (Mink Hollow). There wasn't too much that needed to be trimmed. I cut a few trees that had fallen across the trail. It was very wet out after all the rain we got on Saturday. Water was coursing down many sections of the trail and creek crossings were high. I eventually reached the lean-to (the end of my section), and then headed up the Devils Path to the lookout on Plateau. I took a quick break, tagged the summit and then headed back down as the sun was setting. Got back to the car just as it was getting dark.

Summit Elevation: Plateau 3840 ft
Round-trip Distance: 7.5 mi
Elevation Change: 2360 ft
Plateau mountain

Friday, October 24, 2008

Falling leaves

I did too easy hikes with Howie this afternoon. The first hike was up Harvey mountain. Took the trail to the summit area and had some lunch. After, I went over to the state border marker, followed some unmarked trails and then took the unpaved road back down.

Summit Elevation: Harvey 2060 ft
Round-trip Distance: 3.5 mi
Elevation Change: 700 ft
Harvey mountain

The second hike was nearby up Beebe Hill. Followed the trail to the top, climbed the fire tower, then took the woods road back down. Most of the leaves were down, but there was still some color hanging on.

Summit Elevation: Beebe Hill 1760 ft
Round-trip Distance: 2.5 mi
Elevation Change: 300 ft
Beebe Hill

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Plattekill

Today, Howie and I climbed Plattekill mountain in the Catskills. We headed out from Platte Clove Preserve trailhead and followed the old Overlook road. Stopped at the first view point which was an old bluestone quarry. Howie was going nuts as there were chipmunks scurrying around. We then headed up the mountain first on an old road to a second quarry, and then off-trail to the top. Crossed over the summit to the south side where there were a series on ledges with nice views. Stopped at the best one for a lunch break. After eating a sandwich, continued bushwacking down to Echo Lake. Looped around the small lake, and then followed the marked trail back to the car. Also, did a short side-trip to Plattekill falls. Had a cool, sunny day for our hike. Many leaves were down, but there was still good color in the lower elevations.

Summit Elevation: Plattekill 3090 ft
Round-trip Distance: 8.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1800 ft

Plattekill

Friday, October 17, 2008

More colors

I took the afternoon off and went up to Thacher Park with Howie. The foliage was very nice on this cool,sunny day. Afterwards, I stopped at Hannacroix Ravine Preserve and did the orange loop trail. Most of the leaves there seemed to be down. Walked about 4-5 miles altogether.
Thacher Park (fall)

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Back in Black

I checked the NY Fall foliage map, and it looked like the Catskills were in peak color this weekend. So, today Howie and I headed there. We did a loop hike over Blackhead and Black Dome mountains. It was a very sunny and warm day (near 70). Wearing a t-shirt and shorts, felt more like summer hike. The leaf colors were nice with lots of yellows and oranges.

Summit Elevation: Blackhead 3940 ft, Black Dome 3980
Round-trip Distance: 5.25 mi
Elevation Change: 2260 ft

Blackhead Black Dome

Saturday, October 04, 2008

We have reached maximum occupancy

I did a hike in Adirondack high peaks today with Mengis from work. We did a loop over Big Slide from the Garden parking lot. Went over the Brothers up to Big Slide and then down Slide brook trail and back out the Johns brook trail. It was a cool, breezy and cloudy day with some breaks of sun. At the summit there were a ton of people. I counted 30 (!!!) ... including a large group of college kids. The foliage seemed to be near peak color. There was even a little bit of snow at the top.

Summit Elevation: Big Slide 4240 ft
Round-trip Distance: 9.5 mi
Elevation Change: 2800 ft