A Winter Catskill Jaunt

“I was thinking as an alternative maybe picking up the Escarpment trail at Peck and following it around to Blackhead. It looks like there are tons of views. Any you guys done this section?”

“I revised the itinerary to include some of the Escarpment trail and another peak.”

“I'm actually surprised I haven't done it. I've done the escarpment & towards Blackhead. I've done Blackhead (& that little group of Mts) but never connected the two on a thru hike.

Don't remember Blackhead being one of my favorites but I do like the escarpment trail. Kinda think North/Souith Lake locks the gate going into the park in winter but you can park just outside the gate & hike thru.

There's a couple of old plane wrecks on that trail too, but don't know what's left from the souvenir hunters.”

“The plan is to start at Elm ridge and hike over Windham high peak then up over Blackhead and descend via the Blackdome Ridge trail.


ENS said its necessary to drive up from Phonecia because of road closures.”

“I will drive to any road in that area that you want to check out if it's open. Haven't been there since the floods, but I don't remember them being closed. Sometimes they aren't plowed to the end but most of the time plowtrucks use the end loops to turn around in.

I agree that the roads in North/South Lake will probably be closed because they are inside the campground. You can park outside the gate & hike thru or hike the adjacent connecting trail.

I live in the Catskill Park.”

“Good luck you guys!”

“Thanks CH and Bobo. Any chance well see you in Harriman Bobo?”

“Hey catskhiker is there any snow up there?”

“Not at 1700' where I live & can't see any on the peaks from here. A LOT of time that changes above 3500'. I've hit snow on Colden (Adirondacks) in August.
last edited: 12/24/06 7:25:11 PM”

“Thanks catskhiker. Checking the weather channel's website I can't get a forcast for anything over about 500ft.”

“Well, it started snowing about an hour ago in the Catskills & we have about an inch at aprx 6pm.”

“Break out Dem Snowshoes!!! : )”

“Very cool,snowshoes are packed. Nothing but rain down here by Philadelphia.”

“Sorry, all gone (1700') on the morning of Dec 26th from rain, but I'll bet there's some in the high elevations now.”

“LS, I have yaktrax also. they should suffice. I'll pack my Cramps just in case.

CH,
when we get to Blackhead we are heading west over the peaks and down to Barnum road parking. there are plenty of bail points if necessary that would result in a bit of a road walk, but I don't forsee that being necessary.”

“You can usually hike the (packed) Catskill & Adirondack trails all thru winter without a problem. Sometimes when you step "off-trail" it sometimes can get "deep" later in winter.

The only bad time is Spring. You can walk on top of 3-4 feet of snow until it warms up later in the day. (I forgot my snow shoes only ONCE in spring many moons ago) Then you sink 3-4 feet into wet snow with every other step. Exhausting.

Should be a nice hike.”

“here is a good preview for your trip:
”

“Awesome pics Rob. What time did you guys head out from Elm ridge shelter?”

“I think we started at roughly 830 in the morning. We got to the Batava Kill Leanto around 230.
last edited: 12/26/06 1:47:49 PM”

“Nice pics ENS. I can't wait to get up there.”

“I was up on Black Dome Rd (Big Hollow) yesterday, Barnum Rd & North/South Campground and there was no snow.

Last night I was up in Queensbury (West Mt) in the Eastern Adirondacks & they had a little snow. This morning (Dec 27th) I was awakened by the sand trucks on our Mt. road where we received about an inch of snow today.”

“Why dont you join us Saturday Catshiker?”

“My brother-in-law (from Adirondacks) is pushing hard for a trip there on Saturday too. He would kill me as he hikes EVERY weekend for the past 40 or so years & while my usual partner, I haven't hiked much in the past year. I hike slow.

Also my daughter & her husband are going away for 4 days (over saturday) and leaving their 2 & 6 yr old (grandsons) with us. They are too much for my wife to handle alone & besides I adore them.

I'm seriously thinking of doing the blackhead, blackdome, thomas cole ridge (thursday)but dreading the walk back (along the road) to my car.

I'd do the blackhead to north/south lake walk but my wife is staying in the adirondacks a few days & would not be able to pick me up at North/South Lake. That's too long a walk back for me especially on the roadway, but some really fine homes to look at on the side roads.”

“Got room for two more? What time are you planning on getting up there tomorrow night? I have to work until 5pm so leaving before 6-6:15pm isn't going to happen.”

“OMG that would be great. I didn't get your email yet for some reason. try the email address in my profile. I'm still waiting to hear from Lostsoul as to when he gets off work. so its still up in the air.”

“I had to send it from my work email ~ check your spam box. :-P I sent it to the addy in your profile though. I emailed my cell # - I think I still have yours, unless it's changed since last fall?

We are definitely coming - but we won't get up there til late probably. At least it's only a mile into the shelter. Still trying to figure out about snowshoes & whether or not to bring them - haven't checked the weather yet.”

“Cell #'s the same give me a ring.”

“K - will call tonight when I get home.

Yay 'skills!”

“I'm working a half day tomorrow so I'll be ready to go by 2:30. Hope to beat some of the rush hour traffic.”

“I want in!

I'm heading up tomorrow also where are you all meeting?

Peterson”

“sirpete
If you park at the end of Peck Rd. take the yellow blazed trail about 1 mile to the shelter. We will be staying there Fri. night. we don't have a definite time yet, but I would say anytime in the evening would be good.”

“oops
last edited: 12/28/06 6:43:21 PM”

“is 23A opened yet through Katterskills? Last I was there in September it was still closed up.”

“I here it is still closed.”

“Did Cole, Black Dome & Blackhead today from Burmer Rd. Walkled back on the roadway to my car.

Lot of technical area's with ice covered rock covered by 1" of snow in the higher elevations. Slippery.

Still not that fond of Black Dome or Black Head but I liked Thomas Cole Mt.”

“Hey Sirpete I got your email. We should be in the area later in the evening friday. I look forward to seeing you.”