Really nice day - After a little later start due to a business meeting I needed to attend in Monticello, we headed up the Shin Creek Rd from Lew Beach.
Good shape in its beginning, a little rougher higher up, and then a hair raising trip across a washed out bridge...all in a large American Sedan. The plank Dick put over the opening on the bridge cracked as I went across. Unfortunately we noticed the 'road closed' sign that later, and facing the opposite direction.
We drove to the height of land and parked near a triangle of DEC property. Found a good spot and dove into the woods. Steep and boulder-y the first 300', and then just nice wide contours all the way to the wooded summit. What an interesting route. The Gypsy Moth caterpillars are out in full force. Webbing, hanging leaves and caterpillers in droves here and there along the route.
On our descent, we decided on a variation. Came back down the ridge the first few hundred feet, then cut towards Shin Creek Rd. Open woods, I mean REALLY open woods all the way to the road. This would be the perfect way to go up. We selected this approach as we wanted to do 2 mountains today, and with the late start, hiking Mongaup from the pond to the south would have made it a single peak. The drive down Shin Creek in the opposite direction was a sleigh ride. (Quick note - we located a nice patch of DEC land from Shin Creek that would make a nice b'whack variation for Hodge Pond Mt. All bushwhack and no trail, unlike the Frick Pond approach. We may do Hodge this way, but will drive up Shin Creek Rd from the north to avoid the bridge washout).
Then it was off to Barkaboom. Again, steady diet of Gypsy Moth caterpillers. Good, easy ridge, but like Mongaup, the high temps and humidity took its toll on us. Poor Bookah had her tongue lolling all day long. The route on both peaks is very dry right now.
We found two great spots for when the leaves are gone. The edge of the ridge on the way up Barkaboom(I just love this name), and a high, grassy field close to the summit of Mongaup.
It was nice to hike both of these mountains, and get them done on a less than hospitable day. And we missed the thunderstorms that rolled thru late in the afternoon.
Really nice pizza place in Arkville on the way home.
Bookah is now midway at 50/100. I'm just tagging along for the ride.
Good shape in its beginning, a little rougher higher up, and then a hair raising trip across a washed out bridge...all in a large American Sedan. The plank Dick put over the opening on the bridge cracked as I went across. Unfortunately we noticed the 'road closed' sign that later, and facing the opposite direction.
We drove to the height of land and parked near a triangle of DEC property. Found a good spot and dove into the woods. Steep and boulder-y the first 300', and then just nice wide contours all the way to the wooded summit. What an interesting route. The Gypsy Moth caterpillars are out in full force. Webbing, hanging leaves and caterpillers in droves here and there along the route.
On our descent, we decided on a variation. Came back down the ridge the first few hundred feet, then cut towards Shin Creek Rd. Open woods, I mean REALLY open woods all the way to the road. This would be the perfect way to go up. We selected this approach as we wanted to do 2 mountains today, and with the late start, hiking Mongaup from the pond to the south would have made it a single peak. The drive down Shin Creek in the opposite direction was a sleigh ride. (Quick note - we located a nice patch of DEC land from Shin Creek that would make a nice b'whack variation for Hodge Pond Mt. All bushwhack and no trail, unlike the Frick Pond approach. We may do Hodge this way, but will drive up Shin Creek Rd from the north to avoid the bridge washout).
Then it was off to Barkaboom. Again, steady diet of Gypsy Moth caterpillers. Good, easy ridge, but like Mongaup, the high temps and humidity took its toll on us. Poor Bookah had her tongue lolling all day long. The route on both peaks is very dry right now.
We found two great spots for when the leaves are gone. The edge of the ridge on the way up Barkaboom(I just love this name), and a high, grassy field close to the summit of Mongaup.
It was nice to hike both of these mountains, and get them done on a less than hospitable day. And we missed the thunderstorms that rolled thru late in the afternoon.
Really nice pizza place in Arkville on the way home.
Bookah is now midway at 50/100. I'm just tagging along for the ride.
