Tom Rankin
Well-known member
Today, Laurie and I finished the Catskills together (we've already done them separately, Summer and Winter), but being newlyweds, we still have a strong 'together' thing going on! 
There was a Bald Eagle sitting in a tree near the reservoir as we drove up 55A. We saw a lot of birds today, and a lot of feathers.
We started at 8:15 AM at the Denning Trailhead. It was a little chilly to start but warmed up quickly. We walked down the old road and cleared brush off the trail, till we got to the turn off to Fisherman's Path. The bridges look to be in great shape. After a little more than an hour, we had crossed Donovan Brook, and we were on our way up to Lone. We arrived about 10:45, and admired the views. What?!?! You say there are views up there? Why, yes, Laurie showed them to me! They are sweet!
After a fairly long break, we headed down to Rocky. We ended up taking a lazy "S" curve to get there. We first were a little far to the left, and then a little far to the right. But thanks to map, compass, and experience, we made it to the canister. Once again, Laurie showed me the 'hidden views'! There are some amazing cliffs less than 100' from the summit. We found a really cool keyhole, the 'catskill cat', and some nice overhangs.
Finally leaving after another loiter at the summit, we headed straight towards Slide, just about straight down hill. We hit the stream and wandered back to the car, crossing the stream a few times for good measure.
There is almost no snow left in the Catskills. We saw a few patches high on the northern flanks of the peaks, but that was about it. I'm glad I didn't bring my stabilicers! The bugs were out at times, but really didn't bother us. We saw a lot of Adder's Tongue, Spring Beauties, and a few Trillium.
This marked another milestones for me, my 2nd round of the Catskills in 4 seasons. Woohoo!
Finally, if anyone lost an OR overmit up there, let me know!
There was a Bald Eagle sitting in a tree near the reservoir as we drove up 55A. We saw a lot of birds today, and a lot of feathers.
We started at 8:15 AM at the Denning Trailhead. It was a little chilly to start but warmed up quickly. We walked down the old road and cleared brush off the trail, till we got to the turn off to Fisherman's Path. The bridges look to be in great shape. After a little more than an hour, we had crossed Donovan Brook, and we were on our way up to Lone. We arrived about 10:45, and admired the views. What?!?! You say there are views up there? Why, yes, Laurie showed them to me! They are sweet!
After a fairly long break, we headed down to Rocky. We ended up taking a lazy "S" curve to get there. We first were a little far to the left, and then a little far to the right. But thanks to map, compass, and experience, we made it to the canister. Once again, Laurie showed me the 'hidden views'!
There are some amazing cliffs less than 100' from the summit. We found a really cool keyhole, the 'catskill cat', and some nice overhangs. Finally leaving after another loiter at the summit, we headed straight towards Slide, just about straight down hill. We hit the stream and wandered back to the car, crossing the stream a few times for good measure.
There is almost no snow left in the Catskills. We saw a few patches high on the northern flanks of the peaks, but that was about it. I'm glad I didn't bring my stabilicers!
The bugs were out at times, but really didn't bother us. We saw a lot of Adder's Tongue, Spring Beauties, and a few Trillium. This marked another milestones for me, my 2nd round of the Catskills in 4 seasons. Woohoo!
Finally, if anyone lost an OR overmit up there, let me know!
