10 more Catskill 3500

“Ok I only have 10 more of the 3500 peaks in the Cats anyone up for a trip in October? Peekamoose, Panther, Rusk, Kaaterskill High Peak, North Dome, Bear Pen, Sherrill, Halcott, Vly I want to see if any of these can be combined in a long weekend(fri-sun)”

“I have ZERO Catskills peaks.

Take me with you!”

“most of these can probably be had in 3 days via car camping and dayhiking.

For North Dome, Sherril, Halcott, and possibly Rusk:
Leave a car on 42, head up to ND from Spruceton Rd, continue to Sherril from ND and descend down to the car. The PA for Halcott is also on 42 not far from where you would come down from Sherril. Depending on time and energy, there could be time to hit Rusk, which would be a short drive from where you pick up the car on Spruceton Rd.

Vly, Bear Pen, and one other peak:
Vly and BP will be easy especially with car shuttling. Most of the hiking is on logging roads with very little reak bushwhacking. That would leave time to hit either Peekamoose, Panther, or Kaaterskill.

The 3rd day you could pick up the 2 you didn't get on the 2nd day. Hmmmmm, I guess it's possible to grab them ALL in 3 days.

HEY! That's only NINE. You flunk math or what? ;o)”

“You're makin' this shlt up, right?”

“Peekaboo!”

“Pikachu”

“Panther is wide open from Slide Mountain Rd & Giant Ledge. Peek does have the same great views as Giant Ledge & cell phone reception. The top of Panther down to Fox Hollow Rd is hardly used at all & very over grown.Kaaterskill high Peak is all snow mobile trails but a un-marked (years ago) over the top. Met my first standing bear face-to-face there.”

“Cats who was more scared you or the bear?”

“MArko, you have never been to a peak in the Catskills? Loser! Just kidding you got to try them man much closer than the ADK's. If this trip actually gets off the ground you are definately welcome.


Pennsy when would you like to go?

I would like to do some backpacking but it doesn't seem like it would be best. The campgrounds are closed by October aren't they? I guess we could use some of the leanto's close to the road.”

“Lthiker, I think I would have wet my pants if I could. Fortunately I was above the bear & must have looked larger. He/She ran off into the ledge rock & I HAD to squeeze by a small cave hole that looked like a den. I was happy to be away from there.

Another time I watched a small bear run across the road with a cub. I stopped to watch (from inside my car) A motorcyclist stopped to see if I needed help & the bear stood up behind him. It looked a LOT bigger standing up behind him. Didn't know if I should tell him & watch him freak or wait. He took off (un-knowing) & this bear left too.

Shortly thereafter, a co-worker clobbered a bear near the Roundout resovoir with his truck. He ran off into the woods & the rangers/encon were very nervous looking for a wounded bear but did find him collapsed.

Around the same time a bear took up residence under my neighbors overhang & was stealing my compacted garbage bags. Think somebody et him.

Up the road, summer folk were attracting & feeding bears. Thankfully they were dissuaded from continuing this practice.

Haven't seen a bear in a few years now & don't want too. They have some awesome strength.”

“Awesome, Cats!

Lt, that area is about the same distance as places I go to in West Virginia......240-250 miles.”