Saturday, January 28, 2012

Bennett Hill

Did a nice, quick hike this morning with Howie. We climbed Bennett Hill just south of Albany. The trail was a ribbon of ice most of the way up. I wore my microspikes which provided me with good traction. Met one couple on the upper loop trail out walking their lab. Walked about 2.5 miles.


Sunday, January 22, 2012

Overlook

I did a short hike up Overlook mountain in the Catskills today. Got to the trailhead and started up the jeep trail. Easy walking on packed powder snow under sunny skies. Passed an intrepid fellow skiing down. By the time I reached the top, it had clouded up considerably. It was a bit nippy ... the tube on my Camelback had frozen solid and Howie was getting snow/ice crystals on his underside. I didn't hang around too long and headed back down. Then, the sun decided to come back out and scare away the clouds.

Summit Elevation: Overlook 3150 ft
Round-trip Distance: 5.2 mi
Elevation Change: 1400 ft
Overlook

Saturday, January 07, 2012

Bearpen

We had another unusually warm January day. I did a hike with Howie in the western Catskills. When I got to the trailhead off of Don Irwin road, it was nearly 50 degrees! Started walking up the old road. It had several switchbacks and a moderate grade. In short order, we reached the top of the old ski mountain. Not more than an inch or two of snow on the ground. Explored around a bit, ate a peanut butter sandwich and then headed back down. Didn't see anyone else in the woods today.

Summit Elevation: Bearpen 3603 ft
Round-trip Distance: 5.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1733 ft

Bearpen

Sunday, January 01, 2012

Berlin

I did a hike with Howie on this warm afternoon. It felt more like Spring than January. From Petersburg Pass, we took the Taconic Crest trail to Berlin mountain. Only saw two other people in the woods (who had a beagle mix dog). No real snow and just a few icy patches on the trail. On the return, went over Mount Raimer and down one of the old ski trails.

Summit Elevation: Berlin 2798 ft
 Round-trip Distance: 6.0 mi
Elevation Change: 1400 ft
Berlin