Winter Catskills Slog

“No, I can't say I remember any train engine on Hunter. I have seen lots of farm machinery, plane wreckage & foundations in the woods though. I used to bring a metal detector, but there's a billion 30-30 shells & bits of old iron up there. Hard to dig up.

I don't stay anymore & hate to cook. I bring enough water/beverage with me. If I needed more, I guess I'd melt some snow.”

“Alright there, nuclear-bomb-boy -- let's not blow up the entire farm this time, ok?”

“only if I get cold”

“I got my maps today. Comming from the south (like I am), seems like heading from 87 to 28 to 214 and diamond notch road would be easier and more direct. To go to sprucetown road, I would have to drive all the way around to the other side of the mountains. Or are we supposed to meet on that side for a reason ?”

“So's my alcahol stove may not cut it?”

“Hey CP, Spruceton is where we'll end up. The Saturday guys will prolly go there. as long as we have a ride back to Diamond notch. Am I right Rob?”

“I think there is an easier way to get to Spruceton Road by getting off on exit 20 and going through Hunter. If we start on Spruceton Rd, it's a loop and that's the quickest way to the leanto.”

“the temps are going to stay below freezing the whole time. The alch stove will be sluggish.”

“for Spruceton Road, I'd take 28 to about 1-2 miles past Phoenicia (and 214), and take 42 north. Turn right in Westkill on Spruceton Rd (aka county rd 6).”

“oh, so mapquest is wrong again, those bastards!

I like exit 19 better anyway.

Looks to me like the Spruceton Rd trailhead is the best one anyway. The Diamond Notch Rd trailhead looks pretty steep and it's probably a crappy road.”

“From what I have heard DN rd is bad and there are few places to legally park. Go to Spruceton rd it might be alittle farther to drive but it will make more sense on Sunday. Plus then we have all the fine eateries in Pheonicia for post hike grub.
Getting there from exit 20 thru Hunter might be farther, I am not positive.”

“Hoookay. Sprucetown it is. Post hike grub in
Pheonicia sounds good.

Pennsy - you stopping by the Devils Tombstone to say hi to Cleatus ??”

“I wonder what Cleatus does in the winter”

“Probable lives in a cabin with his buddy eating possum.”

“Is that like a Man eating Shark?

Okay. Spruceton road it is.”

“I wonder what Cleatus does in the winter”
“Probable lives in a cabin with his buddy eating possum"


yeah, baby. Nobody does it better.”

“Good lord, that's so wrong it's hilarious.

in any case, I believe that Cleatus/Gerry works at the Hunter ski area in the winter. Maybe we'll see him.

I'll probably get there around 9 sat morning. Don't wait for me in case I don't make it. For those who have never been there in winter, keep in mind that Spruceton Rd may not be plowed all the way to the end. When we were there 2 years ago, the road was plowed to the Spruceton Trail parking area, which is on the left about 1/2 mile from the end of the road. We walked the short distance on the road to the start of the Diamond Notch Trail. It's not a bad thing because we will be finishing up Sunday at the ST parking area. I'd rather get the road walk out of the way at the beginning of the hike than the end.
last edited: 1/05/06 6:01:56 PM”

“What time you think we'll be done hiking sunday ?”

“That all depends on when we start.”

“Alright folks, alas it looks like I'm going to have to bail. Evidently this cold I've been fighting all week is starting to win. How's that for irony -- calling out sick on a snowshoe trip?

Hope to see some of y'all at the Drunkfest next weekend...

Piece Out!”

“you hoser!”

“Man what a wimp, pffft what's a cold I think I have pnumonia! and I am still going!”

“Skeeeeee

what's up. Thanks for all the invites!! I have gotten all your emails but school has kept me very bogged down. We will get together real soon though!”

“hmmmm. do i smell? {sniffing armpitt}

since i joined, everyone else is leavin.

is it my breath?”

“hell no! I'm there like shareware!”

“I'd have to be dy'un not to go hiking!”

“The reason I asked about sunday, is I promised my daughter I would take her to see that Narnia movie sunday evening. So given any wake up time, how long do you think the hike from the second camp site to the finish line will take ?? Miles ??
Then I can gauge my time.”

“Good luck..........chuckleheads”

“CP I am guessing but I think it is about 5-6 miles down around the backside. I would have to check a map to be sure.
This does not include the side trip up Rusk Mtn or the Cornels Chair trail.
If we hit the trail at 9am we should be back no later than noon, I would guess. The trail down around the back is a pretty gradual down fire road after you get to Hunter Summit.”

“The maps I just got, when I added it up from the devils acre lean-to to sprucetown rd it was 7.2 miles. Not counting a bushwack of Rusk Mt. (which I figure would be another mile in each direction)so add 2 more and we're looking at 9.2 miles in snow shoes, with full packs. Check my calculations, but that looks like a loooong day even if the bushwack of Rusk go's quick.
I may just get up a little earlier and Get the Col. Chair and skip Rusk for this one so I can get back in time.”

“So, how about a trail report.”

“Howdy RedDawgy, It was Great! More to follow. Pics are on this thread :

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/42094,5.php”

“Thanks JS! They are amazing! I so glad you guys had a great trip. I couldn't afford to pass up the overtime. Next time I'm coming!”

“Sorry I mised this one guys, looks like a good trip! Any snow right now in the middle of this 60 friggin' degree heat wave is good snow!”