Sunday, April 29, 2012

Waterfall hike

I went to check out some waterfalls in the Catskills. From Route 23A, I walked along Malden Ave and then an old road up the side of the mountain. Visited three waterfalls (Hillyer, Wildcat and Buttermilk falls) along the way. Didn't bother to climb the Kaaterskill high peak, but turned around at the last falls and headed back. Nice sunny and windy day.

Round-trip Distance: 8.9 mi
Elevation Change: 1500 ft
Kaaterskill

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Cole Hill

Did a short hike at Cole Hill State Forest. It was sunny, but breezy and cool. Took the Long Path and also a blue connector trail to make a loop. Walked 4-5 miles.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Follow the money

I took the afternoon off and did a hike in the Berkshires with Howie. We did a loop over Mount Prospect (near Greylock). Started out on the Money Brook Trail. Then turned onto trail up to the mountain. It climbed the very steep and narrow southern ridge of the mountain. Reached a viewpoint, and then true summit shortly after. There was a rock cairn to mark the top, but no views on the wooded summit. Continue on down the other side to another viewpoint looking west. At the junction, took the trail to Wilbur's Clearing camping area. Then took the Money Brook Trail to the falls (which did not have much flow) and finally back to the car. Had a nice sunny and breezy day for our trek. Bugs were out and biting a bit, but the winds kept them at bay.

Summit Elevation: Mount Prospect 2690 ft
Round-trip Distance: 7.8 mi
Elevation Change: 1600 ft
Mt Prospect

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Maintain

I went out today to do maintenance on my trail (Escarpment trail to Windham). I dug out about half dozen diversion channels (ditches that run diagonally to drain the trail). It was hard work trying to dig in the rocky soil. Otherwise, the trail was in good shape - not much damage from the winter. I met the ranger just below the lean-to. He heard "clanking" (my shovel hitting rocks), and came down to investigate. Chatted for a bit and then continued on to the end of my section. The woods was unusually dry for April.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Huyck

Did a hike this afternoon at the Huyck Preserve. Started at the falls and then took the west trail around Lake Myosotis. Then, I went over to the new area of preserve: Wheeler-Watson trail, Race Track, Partridge Path and Loops 1 and 2. The new area was mostly open woods with lots of old stone walls. Took the east trail back around the lake. The upper bridge was washed out, so I just crossed at the spillway. Walked 7+ miles under sunny skies. Howie even got to go for a swim.


Friday, April 06, 2012

Mount Tremper

I did a hike with Howie in the Catskills. We climbed Mount Tremper. Parked along Jessup Road in Willow and continued walking up the yellow trail to the ridge. Followed the blue trail over to the summit. Climbed the fire tower to get some pics. Stopped at the lean-to for a snack and then headed back down. Nice sunny but breezy day.

Summit Elevation: Mount Tremper 2724 ft
Round-trip Distance: 7.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1530 ft

Mt Tremper

Sunday, April 01, 2012

Keleher Preserve

I went out today to check out a new nature preserve in Albany County. Parked at the gravel lot on Gulf Hill Road and started out on the entrance trail (white paint). After a while, that route petered out and there was a maze of old, overgrown logging roads. Backtracked a bit and then followed a trail marked with orange flagging. It led to the edge of the hill where there were partial views through the trees. There was evidence that the trail was used by horses. Then, I took an ATV/snowmobile  road south. At some point, I figured I was off of the preserve and then bushwacked a short distance back to main entrance trail. Walked about 4+ miles under gloomy skies. Howie and I both picked up several ticks.

Wolf Hill