Rob S
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2003
- Messages
- 685
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Decided to take a personal day from work and go for a hike. Climbed Balsam Lake and Graham Mountains in the Catskills. The temperature was 28F when I began the hike at 9am, but warmed up throughout the day to 42F by the time I arrived back at the car. Way too warm for January, and I hesitate to even count these two for winter.
Little to no snow at the trailhead, except for the mounds where the snow plow piled it up. Along the initial section of trail, there were several icy sections, but all easily avoided. Things changed at around 3000 feet elevation. The ice became much more prevalent, and more snow appeared. Wore microspikes from this point on, and they stayed on most of the day. The summit ridge of Balsam Lake had several inches of snow and lots of ice, and the drifts were occasionally close to a foot. Even more snow on the north side of Graham, and much more ice as well.
Although the temps were well above seasonal, the wind was howling at the summits. I only made it about halfway up the firetower. It felt like I was gonna get blown off. The open summit of Graham was even windier. Thankfully, the lee side of the old repeater building provided shelter for lunch.
The water at the spring near the lean-to on BLM was flowing nicely. I found what looked like a new water bottle lying on the ground, along with snack wrappers. Shortly before the summit, found another newish looking water bottle. Carried it all out, and left the water bottles at the sign-in register in case someone is looking for them.
Not another car in the parking lot, and didn’t see a soul all day. One of the advantages of hiking mid-week.
Little to no snow at the trailhead, except for the mounds where the snow plow piled it up. Along the initial section of trail, there were several icy sections, but all easily avoided. Things changed at around 3000 feet elevation. The ice became much more prevalent, and more snow appeared. Wore microspikes from this point on, and they stayed on most of the day. The summit ridge of Balsam Lake had several inches of snow and lots of ice, and the drifts were occasionally close to a foot. Even more snow on the north side of Graham, and much more ice as well.
Although the temps were well above seasonal, the wind was howling at the summits. I only made it about halfway up the firetower. It felt like I was gonna get blown off. The open summit of Graham was even windier. Thankfully, the lee side of the old repeater building provided shelter for lunch.
The water at the spring near the lean-to on BLM was flowing nicely. I found what looked like a new water bottle lying on the ground, along with snack wrappers. Shortly before the summit, found another newish looking water bottle. Carried it all out, and left the water bottles at the sign-in register in case someone is looking for them.
Not another car in the parking lot, and didn’t see a soul all day. One of the advantages of hiking mid-week.
