What a day. I was fortunate to have Bill of 'Bill and Judy' join me and we met Nuked Rocket(Scott) and his spouse at the top of Balsam Lake.
Earlier, Bill and I agreed to meet on the Seager Road where we stashed his vehicle, and then drove up to the Mill Brook Rd trailhead to BLM's summit. The trail was in great shape but up high, there were remnants of the ice storm along the path. In the woods to the side we could see more. The views from the firetower were clear and distant, and no haze was evident early in the morning. We could also see our next destination, Graham, a little under 2 miles away. Everyone took their turns on the tower stairs, and even Bookah climbed to the first landing before directing back to the ground. The views were expansive. From the tower, the tops of the spruce in about 180 degrees looked like they'd been given a haircut(good description, Bill).
We headed back down the trail and then jumped off on the unmarked woods road/trail on the way to Graham. We did some maintainance work, but mostly, it wasn't too bad. Lots of trees and tops across it, but nothing that couldn't be gotten around. At no time were we ever uncertain where the road went. We followed it right to Graham's summit and had a late lunch.
(Bookah had her 2nd of the day). The bugs are out in the Catskills, and the black flies were pesky but not bad.
Our band of 4 + Boo then retreated down the way we came up for a short distance, and the 2 guests we picked up on BLM learned what 'jumping off' means relative to a b'whack. Our prearranged route was to take us down the ridge that goes north from below Graham's shoulder. Unfortunately, the fall-line kept trying to push us into a drainage, and we kept pushing back. 3 weeks ago, before the ice storm, the woods would have been parklike. Now, the broken tree tops and small cliff bands and rocks forced 'adjustments'. None of the bushwhack was difficult, but Bill and I kept imagining what was going thru the minds of our guests. BLM and Graham were only their 2nd and 3rd Catskill 3500ers, and we're trying to find the best lines down the ridge so as to not leave a bad impression of b'whacking.
As we got off the steeps, we located a woods road thru park-like open woods and followed it down right to the cars. While loading up Bill's car, we look up and an adult bald eagle flew right over the Seager trailhead. And I mean RIGHT OVER, as in 15' above us. Close enough that we could head the wings flapping and get a great look at the white tail and head. Truly one of those "did you see that?" moments.
4 contented (we hope) and 1 tired dog jumped into Bill's vehicle and drove to the BLM trailhead. This beautiful, clear day wouldn't give up those. Scott spotted a small group of beautiful rose-breasted groesbeaks right above our heads in the trees of the TH.
Nice way to end the day with a cordial group. Bookah (44/100) says woof !
Here's a link to Bill's pictures from the hike:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/559017847DqTwaS
Earlier, Bill and I agreed to meet on the Seager Road where we stashed his vehicle, and then drove up to the Mill Brook Rd trailhead to BLM's summit. The trail was in great shape but up high, there were remnants of the ice storm along the path. In the woods to the side we could see more. The views from the firetower were clear and distant, and no haze was evident early in the morning. We could also see our next destination, Graham, a little under 2 miles away. Everyone took their turns on the tower stairs, and even Bookah climbed to the first landing before directing back to the ground. The views were expansive. From the tower, the tops of the spruce in about 180 degrees looked like they'd been given a haircut(good description, Bill).
We headed back down the trail and then jumped off on the unmarked woods road/trail on the way to Graham. We did some maintainance work, but mostly, it wasn't too bad. Lots of trees and tops across it, but nothing that couldn't be gotten around. At no time were we ever uncertain where the road went. We followed it right to Graham's summit and had a late lunch.
(Bookah had her 2nd of the day). The bugs are out in the Catskills, and the black flies were pesky but not bad.
Our band of 4 + Boo then retreated down the way we came up for a short distance, and the 2 guests we picked up on BLM learned what 'jumping off' means relative to a b'whack. Our prearranged route was to take us down the ridge that goes north from below Graham's shoulder. Unfortunately, the fall-line kept trying to push us into a drainage, and we kept pushing back. 3 weeks ago, before the ice storm, the woods would have been parklike. Now, the broken tree tops and small cliff bands and rocks forced 'adjustments'. None of the bushwhack was difficult, but Bill and I kept imagining what was going thru the minds of our guests. BLM and Graham were only their 2nd and 3rd Catskill 3500ers, and we're trying to find the best lines down the ridge so as to not leave a bad impression of b'whacking.
As we got off the steeps, we located a woods road thru park-like open woods and followed it down right to the cars. While loading up Bill's car, we look up and an adult bald eagle flew right over the Seager trailhead. And I mean RIGHT OVER, as in 15' above us. Close enough that we could head the wings flapping and get a great look at the white tail and head. Truly one of those "did you see that?" moments.
4 contented (we hope) and 1 tired dog jumped into Bill's vehicle and drove to the BLM trailhead. This beautiful, clear day wouldn't give up those. Scott spotted a small group of beautiful rose-breasted groesbeaks right above our heads in the trees of the TH.
Nice way to end the day with a cordial group. Bookah (44/100) says woof !
Here's a link to Bill's pictures from the hike:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/559017847DqTwaS
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