Got the Skillz to hike the Catskills?

“metro north map

Lt - I've linked the MTA Metro-North map to try and get an idea of which stops would work best for you. Let me know which ones they are.”

“Pennsy, I appreciate the kind thoughts.

My MAIN issue is the full pack portion of this hike. It also seems (perception, so this is subject to change) that the details of this hike have yet to be coordinated. I'm not a person who commits easily. I was gun-ho about doing the hike, but when I really thought it through and knowing my own limitations with a full pack, I don't want to be on the fence.

I'm rather skinny and my upper body takes a beating after about 5 miles of continuous full pack hiking. My legs can go 20+ miles but my shoulders quite at about 13 with full pack. When I climbed the 46 I made every effort to base camp or day hike 90% of those peaks. Only that one time when I did the 4 lower great range peaks did I carry a full pack to a summit. I'm in no hurry to repeat that feat! lol

So, if someone can lay out (for me, but I suspect there's others wondering the same thing) the exact route, stops, and any car spotting it would be MOST appreciated!”

“If you look at the Catskills Trail Map #43, locate Woodland Valley State Campground. We will park our cars at the nearby parking lot and head south on the Wittenberg-Slide trail (marked on the map as WS(R)). We will take that all the way to the end and turn right on the Phoenicia-East Branch trail (marked on the map as PE(Y)). Giant Ledge is along a mile-spur trail by turning left on the Giant Ledge/Panter trail (marked on the map as GP(B)). Total distance is about 13 miles; gross elevation gain is about 4400 ft.

On Sunday, it is mostly downhill to Woodland Valley Trailhead continuing on the Phoenicia-East Branch trail (marked on the map as PE(Y)). Total distance is about 4 miles; gross elevation gain is about 300 ft.

If you don't have trail maps of the Catskills, they can be purchased from Campmor, The New York/New Jersey Trail Conference, or your favorite New-York area outfitter.”

“and..... if anyone decides to spot a car, it could be parked at the Slide parking area on 47. When you come off Slide into the parking area, you can hop in the car and drive up to the Giant Ledge parking area, eliminating the road walk.

From there to Giant Ledge, it's uphill but less than 2 miles with a full pack. My only concern is the time taken to do the shuttle. If you don't do it Friday night, you'll have to get up mighty early Saturday to ensure an early start on the trail.”

“It's almost a half hour drive from Woodland Valley to either the Slide Mtn or Giant Ledge trailheads on Route 47 in Winnisook Pass...”

“But the car stationing doesn't really save having to carry overnight gear/full packs... or am I missing where we're spending Saturday (is it near the second parking lot?)?”

“I just hiked this loop for the 4th time 2 weeks ago. Traces of snow on the trees already. I have run out of back packing partners who like to hike as much as I do, especially in November, so....
I am considering signing up for this trip. How do you feel about a new guy joining you??
last edited: 10/27/04 6:59:42 AM”

“kevin,
if we spot cars then you'll have to carry a full pack from the road to the camp site up on giant ledge (~3 miles) and then on sunday back down from giant ledge to woodland campground 4 miles.

emer,
i'm not in charge around here, but i'm pretty sure there's still room. think crampons will be needed?”

“Thanks SOSH, I think I have a better idea njow and it's definitely do-able if I don't have to carry the pack for the entire trip.

Emer, I think part of the fun of doing these trips is meeting new people, so of course you're welcome :).”

“i'm hoping that someone chimes in and says that i'm right with my last post.

maybe i should have put a qualifying "i think" in it”

“You are correct sir.
Less than 3 miles from the Giant Ledge parking area on 47 to Giant Ledge. Actually, closer to 2 than 3. Approx 1 mile from 47 to the Giant Ledge trail junction, and about another mile UP to Giant Ledge. If it's late, or for whatever reason the hike up to GL is not doable, there is a campsite about 1/4 mile past the GL trail on the PE Trail (heading towards Woodland Valley). A stream crosses the trail just a bit further past the campsite.
last edited: 10/28/04 4:57:16 PM”

“Geez Pennsy your always chiming in and giving your 2 cents. What are you like a know it all or something?

Emer, the more the merrier. We were all TT firsttimers the first time.

Kevin the hike from the parking lot to GL is pretty easy, although the first .5 miles is steep.

Twinkle, I am heading up there on Friday afternoon I hope to get there before dark if this makes a difference to you. althoug I don't know where I am camping yet. I need to look at the maps and see if I can find a nice spot near a trailhead. I guess the campsite at the Overlook trail would work.

I havn't looked at the Metrp map yet but I will.
Poughkeepsie would work or even Danbury.”

“This trip is going to be so awesome. I can't wait...”

“Phantom, are you going to arrive at your usual 2-3am time on Saturday morning?”

“hey Lt, where's this overlook trail campsite you speak of?

so i guess none of you guys wanna catch some big rainbows on friday?”

“I'm in! I may have a friend with me as well. If I do, the two of us will share a tent.Looking forward to meeting all of you.”

“we're going to be a big group.”

“earth,
Too big?”

“not at all. Looking forward to meeting everyone.”

“since i haven't hiked in 2 months i'm looking forword to a serious workout.

followed by a nice relaxing ride-

as pennsy carries me over the last 5 miles.”

“we got a long pull on Saturday. We need to get an early start. I'd like to start hiking by 730 Saturday morning.”

“okey dokey.

sunrise will be about 7, sunset at 4:30.”

“Okay, I'm slowly getting motivated for this. I'm going to bring my usual gear, if I'm lucky I'll be able to make it with the pack and the barest essentials. Hopefully the weather cooperates as well.

In case I've missed it, when and where is the meet Saturday AM? I'll be heading south from Albany... basic directions are fine, but I haven't visited this part of the catskills yet.”

“woodland valley campgrounds.

take 87 south to exit 20. route 212 west to 28. 28 north to phoenicia. hang a lewey near the ski resort.

i think a few people will be there friday evening, myself included.”

“Do you guys sleep in your cars the night before? Or do you set up in Woodland Valley Campground?
I think I'll just meet you there at 7:00- 7:30.”

“email me (at the address in my profile) with a meeting time and place if you want a ride back to Woodland Valley after spotting your car at the Giant Ledge trailhead. I'll be coming up from my father's near Monticello, and will be passing thru that way on CR-47 on my way to Woodland Valley.

The Giant Ledge trailhead is right in the big bend on CR-47 south of Big Indian and Oliveria.”

“From North: Thruway Exit 20 to 212 West to 28 West. Turn right at first Phoenicia "exit", then turn left at High Street (just before railroad crossing; if you cross the Esopus Creek into town, you went too far). Turn left onto Woodland Valley Road and continue down it until you see the Woodland Valley trailhead parking lot, which will be on the right side.

From South: Thruway to Exit 19 to 28 West. Follow "28" directions above.

For the Giant Ledge Trailhead, continue on 28 West to Big Indian and make a left into CR-47. The trailhead will be on the left side about 7 miles in or so.”

“about camping Friday night, I called the DEC last month. The man I spoke to said no camping is allowed in the off season when the cg is closed. He also said a ranger would ask you to move if he sees anyone camping. I understand that is what they HAVE to say, CYA and all that. I really don't know if they'd enforce it if they spotted a quiet fireless campsite.

I'll be "camping" in the Jetta wagon as there is just enough room for me to lay out a sleeping bag. Someone mentioned camping on the trail near the trailhead but I don't recall if there are any decent spots, except for the 1 Woodland Valley site that is practically right on the trail.”

“There is a pretty good, large spot to camp about 15-20 minutes from the sign-in box going up Wittenberg. As most of you know, the Wittenberg trail starts off pretty steep from the get go out of Woodland Valley, but at about 3/4 to 1 mile up there is a nice wide open flat area that you could camp at, then just come back down in the a.m.”

“Just look out for the yellow No Camping discs on the trees. I'm not going to be the one to tell you whether to camp there or not, but if it's not allowed, someone could bust you if they wanted to...”

“Phantom, I won't be bothering with the car staging (it just doesn't eliminate enough to be worth the time/effort). Appreciate the offer though, see you all 7AM on 11/13. :)

BTW, on a side note, Redhawk said there was a cheap means of getting Inertia freeze dried meals -- that someone had an 'in' to a bulk package of them. I'm waiting for my Jetboil to arrive, but in the meantime I mind as well get some grub ordered. Thanks!”

“kevin, are you speaking of binks store maybe?

http://www.backpackingdeals.com/

i got a couple cases of enertia meals from him this summer. great price and free shipping. i don't know if he's still got the free shipping deal going.”

“If you have any EMS stores around Albany, you might be able to pick up some there. However, the EMS down here iby me in Jersey has a very limited selection...”

“Man, I wish this trip were tomorrow.”

“Sacco the Overlook trail is over near Woodstock. It goes up Overlook Mtn.
What to do about Friday Night? Hmm Sleep in the car? Or at a hotel or get up supper early and drive over Sat am?”

“There is a motel8 and Ramada inn in Kingston with fairly cheap prices. Perhaps a bunch of us could go in on a room and split the cost. they both had prices around $60.”

“What no Marriot?”

“motel doesn't sound bad to me. i like the idea of a shower in the morning to get me going. and probably sleep a little better than in my truck.
too bad there isn't anything closer to WVCG. like phoenicia maybe?”

“Maybe a B+B, but no chain places; it's way too small of a town. You might want to check area directories (like Verizon Superpages.com for example) to see what your options are and call for availability. November is past tourist season and deep into hunting season in the Catskills.

That said, I believe big game hunting via archery (bow/arrow) will be permitted in the Catskills during the weekend of the trip. However, I'm pretty sure that big game hunting via firearms will not be permitted in southern NY until about Thanksgiving or so. I've never had any problems with archers, but you may want to consider dressing appropriately if you're coming along...”

“Deer hunters generally don't like to stray terribly far from the roadways (you have to drag what you kill, obviously). The trail going up Wittenburg starts steep and stays that way for a while, and I doubt you'll see any hunters along the way. No logging roads where hunters may be in this area either. Your greatest risk areas are probably once you get down near the base of the western side of Slide and for the next several miles back to the starting point. It goes without saying about wearing blaze orange at all times, but definitely have it on in that area. Have fun. :-)”

“Damn - and I just made a special mark down purchase for this trip from North Face's new line of fur coats.

Mine has a pretty design of different colored, increasingly smaller circles right on the chest area.”

“i don't give a rats ass what anybody says.

i'm still gonna wear my carthart coveralls and moose antler hat.”

“Speaking of a rats ass...anybody planning on sharing a motel room Friday should beware of LTHiker's flatulence.”

“Thanks for the link for the inertia. They're not that much cheaper than the Mountain House so I just went and ordered a bunch of them instead. Got my discount priced Jetboil in the mail yesterday, hope to get the mountain house meals by next Friday for the trip. :)”

“Speaking of a rats ass...anybody planning on sharing a motel room Friday should beware of LTHiker's flatulence.”
MouseSpray

Nah, he will save it all for the uphill. The one who should beware is the one behind him on the climbs.”

“Remember to eat some chili for that extra boost going up that hill. Woodland Valley to Wittenberg's Summit is a doozy (2500+ ft elev. gain, if I recall the map correctly)...”

“Hey that is jet propulsion!

Yes the climb from woodland Valley to Whittenberg is quite a doozy for the first couple miles.

Stoopid how is the jetboil below 30*? It might be time to get out the white gas or sleep with your cannister.”

“i won't be able to make this trip, as i hiked it this weekend. i took a friend on his first backpacking trip and this past weekend was the only one he had free.

the weather was incredible, the views were awesome. lots of seep springs were running off the base of wittenburg, the spring between cornell and slide was running slow, the spring near the summit of slide was gushing.

the summits had some light, powdery snow, and some parts of the trail was a little icy. the climb up cornell was the most tricky with some ice-glazed ledges. there was no need for crampons.

we camped between cornell and slide. i slept under the stars at the campsite with the ledge, and saw some shooting stars.

the weather was excellent- warm and sunny. the trail wasn't very crowded. hope you guys have a good time.”

“Why not go again JM? This will be my THIRD time on this trail this year. It never gets old. Besides, if you don't go, I'll NEVER get my radio back. ;o)”

“I second Pennsy's post”