Got off to an uncharacteristically late start on the north trail to BLM, getting to the summit in no time. Enjoyed lunch and nice views/breeze from the tower. Ran into the volunteer ranger who was complimenting Tom and Laurie so I added my 2nd of that.
We headed down the Millbrook ridge trail. Very soft underneath, lightly used and nicely maintained by the volunteers.
Up to the ridge connecting Woodpecker where we whacked up and back, stopping just short of the summit to wait outr and enjoy the thunder and cooling rain. After the storm passed it was sunny skies and on to the wooded summits. We then backtracked and bypassed the little small bump at the end of W'pecker ridge to its west.
Then down the trail to a gorgeous ledge with views of W'pecker, Alder Lake, Beecher Lake and the main summit of Mill Brook.
The climb up MB was gradual and nearing the top the woods opened up into fern glades. The summit is loaded with giant ferns. Bookah and I poked around the summit performing our due diligence to be sure we crossed the top. The ferns were so tall that she was completely invisible the entire time, and only the top of my head was above them.
We'd early on decided we would 'whack off of Millbrook to the Kelly Hollow parking area and xc and snowmobile trails. Instead of staying on the trail WEST to the next MB col and whacking north, I had the brilliant idea of following Millbrook's beautiful looking norther ridge. I'd long wanted to try this route. It drops north than doglegs NW, and there are very steep and unattractive drainages on both sides. Unfortunately, the top of the ridge is loaded with ferns. No sin there, but the ferns and shoulder high weeds hide blowdown, rocks and holes....All the stuff my doc doesn't understand when I told him I need to rehab my back by hiking. With the ridgecrest very difficult to stay on, it was a matter of sidehillling it a contour down, fighting the fall line, and cutting back over to it periodically to check out the terrain and to keep on track. Very challenging.
With the late start, we were racing dark. Normally, no biggie, but the ferns, rocks, blowdown, wet terrain and holes changed the game. The lower third of the ridge introduced a new player - wet, slippery rocks and portable handholds...dead standing trees that fall at a touch.
Alls well that ended well. We hit the Millbrook road just as it was getting too dark to easily see in the woods and about 15 minutes after I should have hauled off my pack and gotten out the head lamp.
I'd studied the maps of the descent for quite a while before the trip, but this was a good example that unlike most Catskill whacks, what looks good on the map doesn't always work in the field.
Kudos to Joanne. She was a trooper on the way down. Not sure she'd ever found herself in these conditions before and it was necessary to really push so the last 3/4's mile wouldn't be negotiating a downhill mindfield in the pitch dark.
Trip participants were Rob (great to have you back out again!), his friend Bruce, Jo and Bookah. With the warm and humid conditions and terrain, Bookah was a tired pup when we hit the road. This was Bruce's 2nd Catskill hike and first 'whack ever. We spent some time convincing him that this was not a typical Catskill 'whack.
Bookah now at 98/102
We headed down the Millbrook ridge trail. Very soft underneath, lightly used and nicely maintained by the volunteers.
Up to the ridge connecting Woodpecker where we whacked up and back, stopping just short of the summit to wait outr and enjoy the thunder and cooling rain. After the storm passed it was sunny skies and on to the wooded summits. We then backtracked and bypassed the little small bump at the end of W'pecker ridge to its west.
Then down the trail to a gorgeous ledge with views of W'pecker, Alder Lake, Beecher Lake and the main summit of Mill Brook.
The climb up MB was gradual and nearing the top the woods opened up into fern glades. The summit is loaded with giant ferns. Bookah and I poked around the summit performing our due diligence to be sure we crossed the top. The ferns were so tall that she was completely invisible the entire time, and only the top of my head was above them.
We'd early on decided we would 'whack off of Millbrook to the Kelly Hollow parking area and xc and snowmobile trails. Instead of staying on the trail WEST to the next MB col and whacking north, I had the brilliant idea of following Millbrook's beautiful looking norther ridge. I'd long wanted to try this route. It drops north than doglegs NW, and there are very steep and unattractive drainages on both sides. Unfortunately, the top of the ridge is loaded with ferns. No sin there, but the ferns and shoulder high weeds hide blowdown, rocks and holes....All the stuff my doc doesn't understand when I told him I need to rehab my back by hiking. With the ridgecrest very difficult to stay on, it was a matter of sidehillling it a contour down, fighting the fall line, and cutting back over to it periodically to check out the terrain and to keep on track. Very challenging.
With the late start, we were racing dark. Normally, no biggie, but the ferns, rocks, blowdown, wet terrain and holes changed the game. The lower third of the ridge introduced a new player - wet, slippery rocks and portable handholds...dead standing trees that fall at a touch.
Alls well that ended well. We hit the Millbrook road just as it was getting too dark to easily see in the woods and about 15 minutes after I should have hauled off my pack and gotten out the head lamp.
I'd studied the maps of the descent for quite a while before the trip, but this was a good example that unlike most Catskill whacks, what looks good on the map doesn't always work in the field.
Kudos to Joanne. She was a trooper on the way down. Not sure she'd ever found herself in these conditions before and it was necessary to really push so the last 3/4's mile wouldn't be negotiating a downhill mindfield in the pitch dark.
Trip participants were Rob (great to have you back out again!), his friend Bruce, Jo and Bookah. With the warm and humid conditions and terrain, Bookah was a tired pup when we hit the road. This was Bruce's 2nd Catskill hike and first 'whack ever. We spent some time convincing him that this was not a typical Catskill 'whack.
Bookah now at 98/102
