Speaking of trailed and trail-less; Re: Graham

[IndianChris]

Heading south on the blue Dry Brook Ridge trail towards Balsam Lake Mt., there is an unmarked trail that heads east towards the peak of Graham.

Anyone ever taken it recently? What's it like? I plan on hopefully picking it up from the peak of Graham and actually heading towards Balsam lake Mt..

Thanks.

 

[Rob S]

Haven't been up there in a couple of years, but it sounds like you found the "trail" to Graham. I believe it's an old logging road or maybe just some old access road. Some minor blowdown, but fairly easy to navigate. I seem to recall one short steep section up some rock, after which a few minutes of searching found the continuation of a smaller herd path.

You stated that you are picking up the "trail" to Graham as you head to Balsam Lake Mt. Are you coming over Doubletop (or Big Indian) first? I haven't done that route, but know a few people who have and thought it was a lot of fun.

Permission for hiking Graham and Doubletop is necessary. It may be granted from the caretaker - - - William J Scholl. The Catskill Canister (the 3500er Newsletter) has published his number in the past, so it should be ok to post his phone number here. (845) 586-4056.

Have a great hike!

Rob

 

[Rick]

Indian Chris,
Last I was up there was a couple of years ago. It is a pretty easy hike - As you come up from Mill Brook road (I cannot recall the ditance, but not more than a few miles), The abandoned Road comes in at an angle from about the 8 O'Clock position as you're hiking up the Drei Brook trail. Be careul, as you almost miss it the way it comes in, you'll probably only see it after you pass it.

The old road will drop a little bit and wind around to the right arfter a bit. Make sure you stay on the fork to the right - Just afterward, you'll come to a steeper section that I12climb mentions. It is pretty easy to follow.

By the way, it is just short of the junction of the Balsam Lake cutoff - Maybe 1/2 to 3/4 miles before. Both are easy to get as a dayhike.

 

[John Graham]

So are you climbing up from Seager? it is a little trickier if you are coming over from Doubletop. The brush is pretty thick just below the summit. It is much easier to pick up the trail from the summit of Graham than from the Balsam Lake Mt trail. It is an old service road for the tower that was on Graham. The top section is overgrown with overhanging shrubs, but it does have a couple of nice view points. Once down below the steep part, the trail is more of a road, it gets a lot of snowmobile traffic in the winter (though it is illegal). I wouldn't worry too much about permission, unless I was leading a trip with a group. You won't be going anywhere near their roads or dwellings.

 

[imarchant]

I was up the trail on Monday. Started from the Mill Brook Rd parking area. The side trail is a little difficult to see. The "trail" from the parking area is a jeep road to Balsam Lake mountain. There are white private property signs along this road. The side trail is located at an orange private property sign on the left side. If you get to the Balsam Lake Mnt. trail you have gone about 200 yard to far.

Once you find the side trail it is easy to follow. It is an overgrown jeep trail. There are several blowdowns, some wet spots and some steep sections, but you shouldn't have a problem.

I just reread your question. It seems you will be bushwacking from the east. This trail leaves the summit from the north-west. It should be easy to find. There was a herd path leaving the summit towards the east. I assume you will be comming in on that route.

good luck.

 

[Rik]

The path you refer to is the trail to Graham and is pretty easy to follow. I would suggest you get permission. It is a matter of a quick phone call but I think this respects the land owner and is good for relations between hikers and land owners.

 

[IndianChris]

Thanks All. A lot of good info there.

Here's my planned route - I will start heading north on the Neversink-Hardenburg trail from Black Bear Road, hit Graham via Gulf of Mexico Brook (to be brutalized by stinging nettles of course), Balsalm Lake Mt, the leanto and pick up the NH trail by Balsam Lake (the lake) to head back again to Black Bear road - an overnighter.

If I can attach a map, I will. Thanks again!

 

[IndianChris]

OK, try this...
(ok, it's pretty hurtin' but files like this take up a lot of room. I had to crop and crop and crop and resize and b+w and crop and ...hope you get the idea).