Tom Rankin
Well-known member
Having an unexpected day off, I figured I'd go hiking. I went to the nearest 4000' peak, Hunter, and headed up at 12:00. I met one group of people coming down; otherwise it was just me and the ravens.
I really like Hunter, I've done it 6 or 7 times now. It's short and steep, and the views from the firetower are spectacular. As I clmbed up, I realized that this would be my 4th season (this year) climbing Hunter. Hey, Harry, I'm catching up to you! Only 114 more to go!
The trail was wet, with just a few icy spots after the torrents of rain we had yesterday. If any of the Gathering 7.0 hikers remember Hunter, it was dry compared to that!
I got to the top around 1:30. Solitude. I ate lunch and hung out for about 15 minutes. The thermometer on the cabin at the summit read just below 32. Going down was pretty quick, about 45 minutes. It was 2:30, and I still had time to kill.
I decided to visit Kaaterskill Falls. It's very close by, and it turned out to be deserted as well. Hiking on Monday has its advantages. In the summer, this place is mobbed!
I walked down the short path and came out at the top of the falls. It was gorgeous. There was a small amount of rime ice from the spray. I decided to cross the stream, and remembering the accident that took place here recently, I walked up the stream about 100 yards to a tree that spans the stream. The water was flowing pretty strongly, so I was very careful.
Once on the other side, I scrambled down the steep slope to the point where the first falls hit the rocks. You can actually walk all the way behind these falls! As proof, see here:
http://viewsandbrews.com/IMG_9682.JPG
For reference, the falls, (not totally visible in the photo), are about 160' high.
It turned out to be quite dry and calm behind the falls. The spray seems to go flying out in front of the falls almost completely. I sat there for a while just taking in the view.
After a while, I made my way back up the slope, over the stream, and out to the car. Later, as I drove down the Thruway, I looked in my rear view mirror, and saw golden sunlight shining on the Catskills. What a nice way to end!
I really like Hunter, I've done it 6 or 7 times now. It's short and steep, and the views from the firetower are spectacular. As I clmbed up, I realized that this would be my 4th season (this year) climbing Hunter. Hey, Harry, I'm catching up to you! Only 114 more to go!
The trail was wet, with just a few icy spots after the torrents of rain we had yesterday. If any of the Gathering 7.0 hikers remember Hunter, it was dry compared to that!
I got to the top around 1:30. Solitude. I ate lunch and hung out for about 15 minutes. The thermometer on the cabin at the summit read just below 32. Going down was pretty quick, about 45 minutes. It was 2:30, and I still had time to kill.
I decided to visit Kaaterskill Falls. It's very close by, and it turned out to be deserted as well. Hiking on Monday has its advantages. In the summer, this place is mobbed!
I walked down the short path and came out at the top of the falls. It was gorgeous. There was a small amount of rime ice from the spray. I decided to cross the stream, and remembering the accident that took place here recently, I walked up the stream about 100 yards to a tree that spans the stream. The water was flowing pretty strongly, so I was very careful.
Once on the other side, I scrambled down the steep slope to the point where the first falls hit the rocks. You can actually walk all the way behind these falls! As proof, see here:
http://viewsandbrews.com/IMG_9682.JPG
For reference, the falls, (not totally visible in the photo), are about 160' high.
It turned out to be quite dry and calm behind the falls. The spray seems to go flying out in front of the falls almost completely. I sat there for a while just taking in the view.
After a while, I made my way back up the slope, over the stream, and out to the car. Later, as I drove down the Thruway, I looked in my rear view mirror, and saw golden sunlight shining on the Catskills. What a nice way to end!
