imarchant
Active member
The day started as a typical late winter day. It was March 4, 2007. I left home about 7:00 AM; it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. As I turned onto Rt. 42 I was driving in a heavy snow squall. By the time I reached Spruceton Rd the plows were out. I drove cautiously to the end of the road. By this time the snow had abated and I could see patches of blue sky.
I headed out at 8:20. They ground was covered with about 1-2” of fresh powder on top of the older snow. There was a thin layer of ice under the fresh snow, but not enough to support my weight, even with snowshoes. I knew I was in for a long day so I kept a steady but moderate pace.
The Diamond Notch Trail was in great shape, in spite of an occasional posthole. This trail parallels theWest Kill. I would stop occasionally to take a drink, adjust my gear or snap a picture.
Before I knew it I was at the Diamond Notch Falls and then the Devil’s path trail junction Does anyone know what the bracket on this sign post is? The Devil’s path :twisted: started its steady climb, but it was not as steep as a remembered from the last time I was there. On the other hand I had already traversed Westkill prior to reaching this section that time. The trail was in even better shape than the last one. I was surprised at how well the snow had survived the past Friday rain. I was expecting to see icier conditions, but 1-2’ of almost powder like snow prevailed. I pressed on. About 1-1/2 hrs had passed and I reached the point where the forest started to change to snow frosted spruce In just a few more minutes I reached a great viewpoint just off the trail. I knew I was approaching the turn off for Leavitt peak.
After about 25 minutes I came to the spot where I knew the route turns to the right. Just as I was checking my location I heard a noise. I stopped to listen and soon realized it was another hiker. I waited until he reached the spot where I was standing. We introduced ourselves, his name was Jeff. Jeff said he had been to the summit before and he was also planning on going to Hunter. I started in the lead by following the herd path. The herd path was going through some pretty thick stuff, so we changed course slightly. Soon Jeff took the lead. As we approached the summit Jeff realized the herd path was going past the summit to we turn right and heading in the direction of the summit. After a while Jeff had gotten ahead of me enough for me to lose sight of him. I got I was a bit disoriented since I was following Jeff and herd path up to this point. I took out my GPS and headed in the direction I thought the summit would be. After crashing around for about 15 minutes (it seemed longer) I came across the already broken trail which lead directly to the canister. After dropping my camera in the snow, I snapped a summit shot . I was calling for Jeff and blowing my whistle. I took a drink of hot cocoa, but I was still starting to get cold so I headed out. In a couple minutes I heard Jeff and called him over to point out the herd path to the canister. I headed on knowing that Jeff was faster than me. Sure enough about 10 minutes before reaching the trail Jeff came charging through the woods. We soon came across the obvious old rail bed. The herd path I had followed in was about 100’ from the rail bed. We reached the Devil’s Acre lean-to and took a break. Jeff added a layer since he was cold. I was previously a bit cold, but as soon as I was out from constantly get fresh snow on my legs my clothing dried out and I was warm, except for my hands since my gloves were wet. I did not want to use my dry pair yet. I knew my hands would warm up as soon as I started moving.
The Hunter Mountain Trail is a nice long easy incline bordered by fir trees. Jeff soon took the lead and was out of sight. I continued at my usual slow but steady pace. Just past the Becker hollow trail I passed a large group of Japanese hikers. They were all well equipped except for snow shoes. They tore up the trail a bit, but fortunately they were not post holing. In another 10 minutes I was at the fire tower. I was expecting to see Jeff, but I must have just missed him somehow. I had the summit to myself for about 10 minutes. Just as I had taken off my gear, and gotten out some more nourishment the first of another large group of Japanese hikers started to arrive. They were also all bare booting, but at least most of them were carrying either snowshoes or skis. I took some pictures from the tower.
View North View West Rangers Cabin I was now a 3500 member!!!
Just I left the summit I crossed paths with a snowboarder whom had hike up from the top of the ski lifts. She thought that the signs for “Hunter” would take her on a loop back to the Hunter ski area. I explained that the hunter signs referred to the true summit of the mountains. She asked what direction I had come up and didn’t seem to fathom the fact that I had not started my hike from somewhere other that the base of the ski slopes. I laughed to myself and continued on. I knew it was still a long trip back to the car. I stopped occasionally, like at the former John Robb lean-to site. I was interesting that I thought I could catch a scent of smoke. As I neared the end of the hike a light snow started falling even though the sun was out..
I was relieved and happy as I spotted the cars in the parking lot, even though my car was parked at the lot a ¼ mile up the road. I removed my snowshoes and trudged up the road to my car. I was exhausted but happy. When I started to prepare my equipment and remove the unneeded layers I noticed that lots of ice had formed in my hair. On the drive home as the car warmed it felt like I combed out a pound of ice with a ½ pound of pine needles. All signs of a successful day in the woods. I had done it! My quest for 3500 was over!
I headed out at 8:20. They ground was covered with about 1-2” of fresh powder on top of the older snow. There was a thin layer of ice under the fresh snow, but not enough to support my weight, even with snowshoes. I knew I was in for a long day so I kept a steady but moderate pace.
The Diamond Notch Trail was in great shape, in spite of an occasional posthole. This trail parallels theWest Kill. I would stop occasionally to take a drink, adjust my gear or snap a picture.
Before I knew it I was at the Diamond Notch Falls and then the Devil’s path trail junction Does anyone know what the bracket on this sign post is? The Devil’s path :twisted: started its steady climb, but it was not as steep as a remembered from the last time I was there. On the other hand I had already traversed Westkill prior to reaching this section that time. The trail was in even better shape than the last one. I was surprised at how well the snow had survived the past Friday rain. I was expecting to see icier conditions, but 1-2’ of almost powder like snow prevailed. I pressed on. About 1-1/2 hrs had passed and I reached the point where the forest started to change to snow frosted spruce In just a few more minutes I reached a great viewpoint just off the trail. I knew I was approaching the turn off for Leavitt peak.
After about 25 minutes I came to the spot where I knew the route turns to the right. Just as I was checking my location I heard a noise. I stopped to listen and soon realized it was another hiker. I waited until he reached the spot where I was standing. We introduced ourselves, his name was Jeff. Jeff said he had been to the summit before and he was also planning on going to Hunter. I started in the lead by following the herd path. The herd path was going through some pretty thick stuff, so we changed course slightly. Soon Jeff took the lead. As we approached the summit Jeff realized the herd path was going past the summit to we turn right and heading in the direction of the summit. After a while Jeff had gotten ahead of me enough for me to lose sight of him. I got I was a bit disoriented since I was following Jeff and herd path up to this point. I took out my GPS and headed in the direction I thought the summit would be. After crashing around for about 15 minutes (it seemed longer) I came across the already broken trail which lead directly to the canister. After dropping my camera in the snow, I snapped a summit shot . I was calling for Jeff and blowing my whistle. I took a drink of hot cocoa, but I was still starting to get cold so I headed out. In a couple minutes I heard Jeff and called him over to point out the herd path to the canister. I headed on knowing that Jeff was faster than me. Sure enough about 10 minutes before reaching the trail Jeff came charging through the woods. We soon came across the obvious old rail bed. The herd path I had followed in was about 100’ from the rail bed. We reached the Devil’s Acre lean-to and took a break. Jeff added a layer since he was cold. I was previously a bit cold, but as soon as I was out from constantly get fresh snow on my legs my clothing dried out and I was warm, except for my hands since my gloves were wet. I did not want to use my dry pair yet. I knew my hands would warm up as soon as I started moving.
The Hunter Mountain Trail is a nice long easy incline bordered by fir trees. Jeff soon took the lead and was out of sight. I continued at my usual slow but steady pace. Just past the Becker hollow trail I passed a large group of Japanese hikers. They were all well equipped except for snow shoes. They tore up the trail a bit, but fortunately they were not post holing. In another 10 minutes I was at the fire tower. I was expecting to see Jeff, but I must have just missed him somehow. I had the summit to myself for about 10 minutes. Just as I had taken off my gear, and gotten out some more nourishment the first of another large group of Japanese hikers started to arrive. They were also all bare booting, but at least most of them were carrying either snowshoes or skis. I took some pictures from the tower.
View North View West Rangers Cabin I was now a 3500 member!!!
Just I left the summit I crossed paths with a snowboarder whom had hike up from the top of the ski lifts. She thought that the signs for “Hunter” would take her on a loop back to the Hunter ski area. I explained that the hunter signs referred to the true summit of the mountains. She asked what direction I had come up and didn’t seem to fathom the fact that I had not started my hike from somewhere other that the base of the ski slopes. I laughed to myself and continued on. I knew it was still a long trip back to the car. I stopped occasionally, like at the former John Robb lean-to site. I was interesting that I thought I could catch a scent of smoke. As I neared the end of the hike a light snow started falling even though the sun was out..
I was relieved and happy as I spotted the cars in the parking lot, even though my car was parked at the lot a ¼ mile up the road. I removed my snowshoes and trudged up the road to my car. I was exhausted but happy. When I started to prepare my equipment and remove the unneeded layers I noticed that lots of ice had formed in my hair. On the drive home as the car warmed it felt like I combed out a pound of ice with a ½ pound of pine needles.
All signs of a successful day in the woods. I had done it! My quest for 3500 was over!
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