Devils Path Trip Report

“Ok maybe it should be called something other than a path. Uphill struggle, climb, trek, many words discribe this trail better than path.

More report in a bit got to go take some more ibuprophen.”

“I would post a report, but with my writting skills who knows what would come up.”

“Just leave out the facts and you'll be fine!”

“We started the trip Friday morning at a really grease diner in Phoenicia, NY with Mr. & Mrs. Adventurist, SirPete, Ice Tea, and myself. After fortifying ourselves with grease we got into our cars and did the car shuffle from the trail end to the trail head. All I have to say about this is, if you see a pinkish dusty rose Toyota Tercel behind you, you might want to pull over. Lets just sa that Ice Tea was taught how to drive by some of New Jersey's finest drivers.
At the trailhead we strapped on our packs and started the "easy" climb up Indian Head Mountain on the Devils Path. This was about the only easy uphill of the hike, from 2000' to 3573' at the summit of Big Indian.
The day was cool with a high cloud cover that still allowed us to see some of the great views from Indian Head.
Next came the Twins, down off Big Indian to 3000' and the Jimmy Dolan Notch then a scramble back up to 3580' for the first Twin Mtn. Down a couple of hundred feet then back up to 3640' for the second Twin Mtn. with some great vistas and a nice cave or two. Down off of the Twins to 2900' into Pecoy Notch.
Then came Sugarloaf Mtn 3800'. I am sure that you will hear lots of different names for this mtn from some of the other hikers. This mtn must have had 20 false summits, lots of climbing, really a tough uphill battle. Every time you thought you were there ooops your not. Several nice vistas looking out over the mtns.
Then came the downhill off of Sugarloaf from 3800' to 2400' in less than a mile. Lots of climbing going on here. Boulder hopping on legs that are tired at the end of the day. Just like the climb up Sugarloaf, the descent was filled with Ahh we are almost at the bottom, nope not yet couple hundred more feet.
Finally we pull into Mink Hollow and find the lean-to full of hikers going the other way. Well after searching for a while we finally found some semi-level ground to set up our tents. I don't understand why all of the level spots had camping prohibited signs, very frustrating, but we managed.

After setting up we decided to make some water, the spring was about .4 miles outside of camp Mr. A, SirPete, Ice Tea, and I left with our filters and bottles. We found the spring and this is when the fun started. The "spring" was a very small pool just big enough to get a bottle in, on the side of a hill. Well we all dangled our hoses in it and started pumping(you have a dirt mind). did I mention that the spring was on a hill? Everything that we dropped went rolling down the hill, including a big log the Mr. A jumped over very gracefully. As we were pumping we get the idea that we should call Pennsy and tell him that the trail is really tough and he might want to start at mink hollow in the morning and meet us. Well we didn't have Pennsy's phone number but we had AmyG's, I still don't understand why Ice Tea had his cell phone in his pocket. He calls AmyG with a very bad signal about 20 times, trying to get a message through. See the other thread. We just had visions of AmyG thinking we were all dying and calling in the Search team. As Ice Tea is trying to make the call he decides to go for higher ground. this is when the log almost takes out Mr. A ad we realize that Tea is now standing in the spring. The water turns a chocolate milk brown just as Mr. A dips his bottle in. No problem we have pleny of water to go around.

Day 2 finds us with an easy 6-7 mile hike to the Hunter Mtn Lean-to. Yeah right. We left camp around 9:30 expecting Pennsy to show up at any moment, and climbed up from 2400' to 3840' and the top of Plateau Mtn. Another steep climb, as usual I am bring up the rear, as trip leader I felt that it was my duty to be the sweeper. The Summit of Plateau provided a nice vista that was taken by a man with his dog so we kept pushing on. The top of Plateau was really cool, you were walkin

More later”

“Sounds good so far....

Devil's Path Pictures

I haven't put captions on them yet but there they are...”

“Hey, what was Ice Teas pack weight? Did he get it under 50 pounds?”

“Sounds like this trip had its ups and downs. HA! HA!”

“I think he had his pack weight down to 34 lbs.”

“Sorry, computer problems.
The top of Plateau was really cool, you were walking thru a tunnel of fir trees that almost closed over our heads, with patches of snow in some places. then cae the descent into Devils Tombstone State Park from 3600' down to 2000' not as bad as the one off of Sugarloaf because of some switchbacks, but a long long downhill.
We had lunch sitting at a picnic table in the campground, chatting with the Ranger about the trail heading up Hunter, he said it wasn't bad after the first 2 miles. Of course the first 2 miles were uphill.
Then all of a sudden down the hill comes Pennsy Hiker, to our amazment. He had started at the same trailhead as us and caught us. Pretty amazing hiking there Pennsy! Of course he is no longer think about doing this whole trail as a day hike! Well we sat around a while longer while Pennsy ate and rested some.

Then comes more fun! From 2000' up to 3500' in about a mile and a half. This is where I meet the nice lady coming down the trail that said, "You carry too much!" I said "yup" and kept trudging up the hill. Shortly after the hill leveled of we got to the lean-to and set up camp. Ice Tea was kind enough to start us a fire before he bid farewell and head for home.
That night we were serenaded by the sounds of a porcupine gnawing on the seat of the outhouse, and he was not alone, there must have been at least 6 of them running around camp all night. This really bothered Mr. Adventurist, since he is a light sleeper. I think he was up all night on porcupine patrol.
Sunday our last day on the trail, we started early and headed off much to our surprise downhill, to a nice waterfall at Diamond Notch. This also marked the begining of more uphill, from 2300' up to 3880' to the first summit of West Kill Mtn. and a nice lunch with a troop of Boy Scouts. After lunch we went a short way down to a spring where we topped off our water. then began the trek down West kill to Spruceton rd. We got really spread out here as everyone set there own pace on the downhill. Of course I was in sweeper position. From 3880' down to 1700' . The downhill was pretty uneventful except for one viscious porcupine that scared the ____ out of me. I was lagging about an hour behind by the bottom because of a twisted knee. I am holding off on the Injured reserve list for now.

Did the car shuffle again and made our way to Catskill Mtn Pizza where the girl at the counter could not understand why 5 people needed 3 large pizzas and an order of Buffalo wings. Finished Every Bite!”

“Looks like this was a great hike. Sorry I missed it, but Traildays was a nice change too.”

“Adventurist thanks for that really flattering picture. Remember the camera adds 20 lbs or so.”

“Nice Pics and trip reports! I liked the radical uphill shot. You guys are smiling in most every shot... that's a good sign!”

“sorry.....”

“well how about SirPete's expression in that picture?”

“Or his hand gesture?”

“I'm at work and can't access webshots but I can't wait to see the pics. I'll try to post mine tonight.

Nice trip report Lt. Just remember, it was YOUR idea to do this trip. These old legs are a bit sore today. Saturday was supposed to be cool and cloudy so I figured my 2 1/2 liters of water would be enough for the 9 mile hike to Mink Hollow. Wellll, the sun shone and it got warm and I ran out early. I replensished at Mink Hollow (the same spring that Tea frolicked in!), but it was a bear going up Plateau. Can you say cramp city?

I was very relieved to see the gang at the picnic area following the descent from Plateau. The good cheer, a bit of rest, and some of Lt's iced tea (unspiked) really helped. It was still a killer hiking up towards Hunter and the lean-to. I survived and we had a very enjoyable night at the lean-to. The porcupines were very entertaining.

Sunday's hike wasn't a walk in the park either. Westkill is a pretty big friggin mountain! We had a neat close encounter with a porcupine on one of the descents. This little bugger was right on the trail and walked to within 10 ft of Pete and I. We both got pictures of it.

Lt's knee was hurting and I hope he's ok. I think the great pizza party killed some of the pain.
We beat the Devil but he defintaely took some prisoners. GREAT TRIP!

The shocker was when I got on the scale this morning. I lost 8 pounds!! This was AFTER drowning myself with fluids Sat night, AFTER the pizza party (5 slices and 2 beers), and AFTER a pint of Ben and Jerry's at home. I knew I was dehydrated on Sat but YIKES.

I still would not have missed this trip for anything.”

“Looks like you all had a great time, sorry I couldn't be there- Me and Twinks went and did wittenberg as a sort of dayhike- I'll post a report later- Those flies were real bastards, weren't they?”

“Good pictures and a very nice trip report.


8)”

“Man, you guys are making me homesick! :-)”

“Here's my version of the devils' path trip: We went up, then down, then up, then down, up again, and down. Oops! Not finished...we went up , then down , then up.....Despite the ups and downs, it was a really enjoyable time. Thank you LT for organizing the event. I hope your knee and hip are feeling better.
Pennsy, you and Mr. Adventurist make me sick! I might have lost weight after the hike, but that pizza put it all back on! It was yummy though!!
Ice Tea, it was very nice meeting you. Good luck with graduation and your future endeavors. Work on the spelling!!!
Thanks to Sir Pete, I will always refer to Sugar Loaf Mountain as "Sugar Sh*t".
Hope to see all of you again soon! Maybe the Adirondacks, say in August for the trip that Mr. Adventurist is putting on!”

“Same to you Mrs. Adventurist....work on the spelling!!!

heheheh”

“great hike, guys! Thanks for the report and pics. It looks like we missed a fun time...

(I appreciated the "wish you were here" phone call though. ba$tards!)

LOL”

“Mrs A - I want to drop a few pounds but that was not the way I wanted to do it. If I was 8lbs lighter after the pigfest, I'll bet I dropped 10-15lbs just on Saturday. Holy shrivelled up Pennsy, Batman!! No wonder I'm still fighting leg cramps. It'll all be back on in a few days when my fluid levels get back to normal.

Anywho, back to the trip... No one mentioned black flies yet. Those suckers were merciless! We took a break on the way up to Westkill so I put on a headnet, jacket and rainpants. I was in temporary peace but I think they all lined up and waited for me. As soon as I took the stuff off, the leader hollered FRESH MEAT BOYS, LET'S GET IM!!!!!!! I got welts everywhere and I'm starting to wonder if my weight loss wasn't just water, but blood loss from these vampire demons.

Nice pics A! Who's the beekeeper, and why is Pete waving to you with one finger?

"Same to you Mrs. Adventurist....work on the spelling!!!

heheheh"
Ice Tea
05:25:24 PM
05/19/03

You should have seen the note Tea left on Lt's car. Half the words were crossed out because he kept trying to correct his spelling. I'm not sure he spelled his name right. heh heh yerself and that's what you get for including ME in your dorks comment.

I'm working on pics now. Be up in a bit.”

“The knee is feeling better now at least I can go up and down the stairs now. Had a really hard time getting out of the truck last night.

It was worth it althought the black fly bits are now starting to emerge.”

“What an excellent group of folks to go climbing around the mountains with. It was truely great to be alive this weekend. Thanks to the weatherman for being a complete idiot and blowing the forecast for the weekend. The weather certainly was on our side.

The swelling on my shoulder is starting to go down, I think it may have been a spider bite. I have some really awesome pictures but I have to load all the software into this computer so it may not be until Wednesday before I post them. That was an awesome trip. It has given me some of the greatest memories of hiking in the catskills. I will forever cherish the view from Westkill. Yes that was a pretty killer (easy) hike up....ahem...........I can say I definitly want to go back and do that one again.
wait until y'all see the picture of the porcupine in the outhouse I almost died when I saw it.

I think that Westkill would be a great snowshoe trip for next winter. Perhaps go up from 214 and come down the way we came. I really want to see those views in the winter. Maybe even camp at the overlook.”

“Oh..I forgot...

Thank you everyone that fed us on this trip. I appreciate it!”

“:-), your welcome Adventurist.

I got a cheese burger w/ bacon back at the dinner on the way home.”

“Pete, I can't wait to see the Porcupine Potty pic! I forgot about that nasty bite on your shoulder. If it was a blackfly bite, can you imagine how big it would have been? btw Pete, did you forget something from my truck?

Anywho, my pics are up.

Pennsy's Devil's Path pics”

“I want my crap back!!!”

“please place $10000 in umarked bills in a paper sack if you ever want to see your stuff alive again...”

“Awesome pics pennsy!! I need to stop looking at yalls pics or I really wished I would've went.”

“Don't worry Gemini. We'll give you another chance.

I think the statute of limitations has run out on Pete's stuff. It's all mine now!!”

“Oh I forgot about the crap in my trip report! Pete are you sure that you want the crap back? I thought you were glad to get it off your leg.”

“Nice pics Pennsy! Thanks for carrying a camera!

Have fun in the Sods!”

“Sounds like everyone had a good time and a good work out. I haven’t had time to check out the pics yet. LtHiker I hope your knee is ok soon and it doesn’t linger on. I hope to give my knee a test this weekend on a little overnighter, I’m hoping it will be ok for the PA Palooza trip.”

“Great trip reports--now I am going to look at your pictures. This is the first time I have ever heard of porkys being a nuisance.”

“Nice pictures - looks like it was fun!”

“That was fun :)”

“MaryPhyl wait until you see sirpete's picture of the Porcupine eating the outhouse.”

“Great pics and great trip reports!”

“Lt - the Sods trip is off because it's under water. It would have taken a miracle for me to get ready in time anyway. Another time for sure.

Keep us posted on the knee. The Pa trip in June is 1000 times easier than this. Instead of 18,000 ft of elevation change, it's more like 200ft, and less rockier.

Pete - Where's the damn Porc pic!!!”

“that was a fun trip report. It that one of those back country shelters I had read about?”

“Yes WLD. That's pretty much a typical east coast lean-to.

Hey Lt - I'm changing the subject for a quick second. How do you like your Jetta? My truck is starting to give me problems and I got offered a decent deal for a new Jetta today.”

“Pictures are ready to go however I am having trouble with the Websync with fototime. will keep posted”

“This hike sounds like it had everything, spider bites, black fly assaults, twisted knees, prank phone calls, leg cramps and dehydration. At least you won't need a revenge of the Devils Path hike. Those leg cramps from dehydration are the worst. That happened to me during a bicycle race and it's a quick way to take the fun out of the day.”

“Had to shut off the fire wall? weird didn't need to do that last night. 1hr 25m.

Rich we definitly need a revenge of the devils path! You would be a great addition to that!”

“wheres that pics!!!”

“How's the spider bite? Was it something that was crawling around the lean to or did he get you on the trail?”

“When I got home I noticed some bites.

-------
Ice Tea's Driving Experience:

Well this was my first longer than 40 minute drive by my self and found out some interesting stuff:

Optimal following distance in NJ is tailgaiting in NY.

When you go to pass a car by goining over the dashed line into trafic the car that you are passing typicaly slows down to let you in. Aynt that nice, in NJ people get pissed when you pass them.

If you are in the left most lane on a major highway and begin to tail gate (3-5 feet) people move out of your way. I was very pleased with this. I only had to get a little close to the cars and they would move for me. In NJ, people would hit the breaks to be asses.

One last thing. I know how to pump gass by my self now. I am so proud!!!”