"Escape the Escarpment" TBTS fundraising event '05

[Jay H]

Hi, I called up the Pine Hollow campsite (closed for winter).
The lady seemed not so nice but they don't have a group campsite but can arrange for close campsites. They officially aren't open til Memorial day but she said that would not be a problem, hot showers and water is usually turned on in the beginning of May. She doesn't mind alcohol but she did seem to be very much against the all night parting. Anyway, that's an option, I'm going to see if there are any more campsites near there and decide from there...

[edit] found another campsite, closer to the northern end of the Escarpment trail in the town of Windham, NY

http://www.whitebirchescampsites.com/

I've emailed them for information. They certainly look nicer than the one in Palenville.

Jay

 

[daxs]

Hot Showers.............

And we can bring our mountain bikes for a trail ride the next day!

 

[woodstrider]

There is a marathon race...

on the escarpment around that time- or is it in July. Well anyway, I wouldn't want to backpack or dayhike it during this race- too much traffic on the trail. It actually did happen to a group of us and those runners were a tad too aggressive for me. It was too much like the sidewalks of NYC for me.

 

[Mark Schaefer]

The Escarpment Trail Run is July 31, 2005 this year. It has very stringent entry/qualifying criteria which are detailed on their website.

The run starts from the north trailhead on Route 23 and heads south, ending near the Catskill Mountain House site at the North Lake campgrounds. They skip the southern 4.4 mile section of the Escarpment Trail over South Mt.

Doing the Escape the Escarpment hike as a north to south hike (as imarchant suggested) might be psychologically easier. That would finish off the tougher northern section in the cool morning hours. The relatively level sections and nice views from North Point south would be a welcome relaxing finish to the hike. Also the several bail out routes to North Lake campground could minimize the effort of retrieving hikers not doing the entire hike. The down-side may be that the hike would end with a gentle 300' climb from the Layman Monument up to the Schutt Road trailhead.

 

[Jay H]

OK Folks, before I forget, if anybody needs the pledge form, I'll post the link here:

Escape pledge form (PDF file)

I got word from a campsite in Acra, NY (east of Windham, closer to the Thurway) and still close to the northern terminus of the Escarpment trail.

Lynch's Pot O'Gold Campsite
Old Rte. 23B, Acra
518 622 9661/9229
May-Dec., 140 sites with electric/water, showers, laundry, dump station, flush toilets, picnic tables, store, snack bar, fireplaces, cocktail lounge, restaurant, pool, lake, beach volleyball, playground, fishing and hiking.

I've contacted the owner via email and she tells me that she will waive all fees for the approx 15 hikers who may stay there for both May 20th and May 21, she has a group field that we can set up, much like the gathering AND she says she has a pub onsite with beer, juices, etc. Hot showers, the usual. Wow, This is cool,

So those that want to camp can do so there, I will get directions and more info soon. They don't have a website so I need to get directions from the thruway but if you're really curious I'm sure you would get to Rt 23 towards Cairo which would be exit 21 on the thruway and head west towards Acra.

It's Irish (if you can't tell that by the name... )

Jay

 

[Papa Bear]

It looks like I may be interested in this. I had forgotten about it but Freddy suggested I consider it. May 21st is good timing since I'll finish my heavy running with a mararthon on April 17th and I will be getting back into hiking shape by then.

I see from various trail guides that it is 22.3 miles long and several have suggestd a southbound route, which is fine. But being a masochist, let me ask those who know: what would the side trip over to Black Dome from Blackhead add to the trek? it looks to be about 1.2 miles one way, but I don't know if it's a rough or steep side trip. With 22.3 miles, I guess I'm asking for trouble by trying to add on to it, but I just thought I'd ask. (Of course, it's on some d@mn list I'm working on! )

Stan: my email is "papabear dot nyc at verizon dot net" if you want to add me to your list.

Thanks
Pb

 

[dr_wu002]

I see from various trail guides that it is 22.3 miles long and several have suggestd a southbound route, which is fine. But being a masochist, let me ask those who know: what would the side trip over to Black Dome from Blackhead add to the trek? it looks to be about 1.2 miles one way, but I don't know if it's a rough or steep side trip. With 22.3 miles, I guess I'm asking for trouble by trying to add on to it, but I just thought I'd ask. (Of course, it's on some d@mn list I'm working on! )

Pb

2K Prominence list, huh? Black Dome is about 1.2 miles but it'll cost you about 1100' in total elevation, I think. It's fairly steep but not too bad. Imagine doing a presi traverse and then doing Adams and Madison an extra time.

-Dr. Wu

 

[funkyfreddy]

Papabear, I would do Thomas Cole, Black Dome, and Blackhead the day before or the day after as they're worth a trip on their own - they have great views but the Escarpment Trail has even more! The views from the escarpment are some of the most picturesque in the entire Hudson Valley region.

 

[dr_wu002]

Papabear, I would do Thomas Cole, Black Dome, and Blackhead the day before or the day after as they're worth a trip on their own - they have great views but the Escarpment Trail has even more! The views from the escarpment are some of the most picturesque in the entire Hudson Valley region.

FF: Wow -- I can't wait for this trip!

PB: The Blackhead Range is indeed a fun trip. I have some pictures. But views of Blackhead are almost as nice.

-Dr. Wu

 

[coldfeet]

any exact date yet?

 

[Jay H]

Dr Wu and I did the Blackhead traverse about a month ago... Dr. Wu is about right, it's not far from Blackhead to Blackdome but you do have to lose a bit of elevation to get to the col between the two. It's steep down for about 100ft on Black head, then it starts to switchback a bit (not much) and then up to Blackdome.

David, I PM'ed you back but the official date is May 21st.

We'll be gathering on Friday, May 20th at Lynch's Pot-o-Gold campsite in Acra, NY and then shuttling to the Rt 23 trailhead and going south. to Schutt Rd by North/South lake in Haines Falls. (off Rt 23A).

Showers, restrooms, even a pub serving beer/juice. Woohoo!

We will be departing after breakfast on Sunday or for those that aren't in a hurry, hiking somewhere that day.

Don't forget the pledges!

Pledge form


Jay

 

[frytz]

We'll be gathering on Friday, May 20th at Lynch's Pot-o-Gold campsite in Acra, NY and then shuttling to the Rt 23 trailhead and going south. to Schutt Rd by North/South lake in Haines Falls. (off Rt 23A).

Jay

That's a little confusing! Are we hiking north to south or vica versa!?

Fred

 

[Jay H]

We're going southbound Fred, as per a bunch of us's suggestions.

The northbound end of the Escarpment Trail/LP ends on Rt 23 whereas the southbound Escarpment ends on Schutt Rd and then merges with the closer to South Mountain.

I will be doing a profile of it soon. I emailed Coldfeet and told him I would.. I'll just post it here for those of you who aren't familiar or have the catskill maps..

Jay

 

[frytz]

We're going southbound Fred, as per a bunch of us's suggestions.
The northbound end of the Escarpment Trail/LP ends on Rt 23 whereas the southbound Escarpment ends on Schutt Rd and then merges with the closer to South Mountain.
I will be doing a profile of it soon. I emailed Coldfeet and told him I would.. I'll just post it here for those of you who aren't familiar or have the catskill maps..
Jay

Okay! Southbound would be my choice too! I do have the maps, and trail descriptions (and the LP guide which lies on the Escarpment Trail). All I need is a ride back to my car after the hike - my 2 seater won't be good for shuttling!

Fred

 

[Tuco]

Jay:

Still not sure if I can make it yet.

I also lost a bit of my hiking equipment in a car accident- long story.

I am going to try and start getting out soon and working out- keep me on any emails that you send to the interested group and i'll keep you updated as I figure out where I am going to live

 

[Jay H]

Eric, Hope you can make it...

Logistics, I'm not sure how many volunteers that we'll need, I don't expect much. Since we have the campground reserved for both Friday and Saturday nights, and we don't need to pack up on Saturday early morning, I'm thinking of on Friday night, whoever gets there early can shuttle cars to the end of the trail on Schutt Road and leave it there on Friday. Then on saturday, we can shuttle us to the start which isn't that far from the campsite for the start. Then we'll arrange for a resupply point perhaps at Dutcher's notch half way.

Then we'll have a small group at the end to pick up those that might not have a car or a ride at the end and of course to celebrate.

As far as Dutcher's Notch. I am going to see if I can scout out the trail from Colgate lake to get there. Map says it's 4.25 miles and goes around Capra Lake. I am going to scout out that trail, I know the trail around the lake is relatively flat (it's recommended as a good XC ski trail) but it isn't as short hike like say some of the notches on the Devil's Path. However, if we could get permission to go through Lake Capra, that would probably shorten the hike by at least a mile. Or the other option would be to come from Stork's Nest Road which my map says there is limited parking or worst case, a group could be dropped off. That is 2.4 miles from road to Dutcher's notch on the other side of the escarpment trail.

http://www.catskillguide.com/hike-1.htm

Look at the Dutcher Notch trail which comes from Stork's Nest Rd or the Colgate Lake trail which comes from Colgate Lake (past Lake Capra which is private property).

Teejay, Tom, are you two going to be able to make it this year, hiking or perhap shuttling again? I think we might not need the early morning shuttle, but perhaps an after hike shuttle since we'll be starting near the campsite and ending farther away.

Jay

 

[teejay]

Jay,

I'm planning on it again this year. Either I will do some or all the hike or will do whatever support you need.

teejay

 

[askus3]

Escarpment time schedule

I consider myself a slow hiker regardless what SherpaK says. Anyway, I dug into my archives and came out with an early start to sunset hike schedule. I did this same hike from north to south on Saturday, May 8, 1982. The only change in the trail from then was that at that time from the top of Kaaterskill Falls the Escarpment Trail descended past the falls and came out on to NY 23A at the hairpin turn, where now it loops back like a hook to Schutt Road. The distance is virtually the same but now the last .8 mile is a much easier wood road VS a steep rocky descent.

I plan on keeping to this pace and enjoying the views, so plan on me being the last out of the woods. I don't recommend looking at your watch continually, but if you can't keep to this schedule, let someone know that you might need to exit at some early cut-off, Dutcher Notch, Mary's Glen Trail or North Lake.

So here it is:

0.0 6:30 NY 23 - Start of Hike
1.2 7:00 Elm Ridge Lean-to
3.3 8:00 Windham High Peak
5.8 9:00 Burnt Knob
6.0 9:10 Jct. Black Dome Trail - on right
6.7 9:30 Acra Point
8.5 10:15 Jct. Batavia Kill Trail - on right
9.5 11:30 Blackhead Mountain - lunch stop
12.0 1:00 Dutcher Notch
14.3 2:15 Stoppel Point
15.5 2:40 North Mountain
16.0 3:00 North Point
16.2 3:15 Jct. Mary's Glen Trail - on right
16.8 3:40 Badman Cave - Jct. Rock Shelter trail - on right
17.3 4:00 Newman's Ledge
17.5 4:10 Jct. Yellow spur - on left
18.0 4:30 Artist's Rock
18.4 5:00 North Lake Parking Lot
18.7 5:10 Catskill Mountain House
19.2 5:30 Boulder Rock - between the red marked trail junctions
20.0 5:50 Jct. Schutt Road Trail - on right (Kaaterskill Hotel Site)
20.5 6:10 Jct. Long Path - on left
21.2 6:40 Inspiration Point
21.4 6:50 Sunset Rock
21.5 7:00 Jct. Schutt Road Trail - on right
21.9 7:10 Layman's Monument
22.4 7:30 Top of Kaaterskill Falls
22.6 7:40 Jct. Schutt Road Trail - on right
23.2 8:00 End of Hike - Schutt Road

OK - I am getting my pledges and can't wait for the fun to begin.
Hope you can keep up and leave me in the dust.

 

[frytz]

I consider myself a slow hiker regardless what SherpaK says. Anyway, I dug into my archives and came out with an early start to sunset hike schedule. I did this same hike from north to south on Saturday, May 8, 1982. The only change in the trail from then was that at that time from the top of Kaaterskill Falls the Escarpment Trail descended past the falls and came out on to NY 23A at the hairpin turn, where now it loops back like a hook to Schutt Road. The distance is virtually the same but now the last .8 mile is a much easier wood road VS a steep rocky descent.

OK - I am getting my pledges and can't wait for the fun to begin.
Hope you can keep up and leave me in the dust.

Thanks Aaron! I printed out your hike schedule to take along. I hope to be a little faster, but I am sure I can use the relative times to tell how I'm doing!

Fred

 

[coldfeet]

I'm out won't even try to explain, guess this was a bad year to get involved in hiking...i think i'm free for a few days in 2006!..this is a real bummer...