Mink Hollow Ledges on Sugarloaf & Plateau Mountain's(Indian Head Wilderness-Catskills)

Headed down into the heart of the Catskills on a gorgeous fall day to check out a pair of off trail ledges high above Mink Hollow in the deep notch between Sugarloaf and Plateau Mountains. Parked at the end of Mink Hollow Road(north), Elevation 2225 feet and set out on the yellow blazed trail gradually climbing south on the old road bed up to the notch between the two peaks.

Once in the notch, I picked up the red blazed Devils Path heading east, climbing steeply up the rugged slopes of Sugarloaf Mountain.

It has been a while since I've climbed this section of the Devils Path and I had forgotten just how steep and rocky this trail was. 

Once above 3000 feet, I left the trail and bushwhacked south towards a precipitous set of ledges over Mink Hollow.  The terrain drops off abruptly to the west but provides spectacular views out over Mink Hollow.  Here is a view north towards Spruce Top with Oteora beyond and the Blackhead range to the distant right.

Due west across Mink Hollow stands the imposing view of Plateau Mountain's east slopes.

To the south stands Plateau's south ridge above Mink Hollow heading towards Olderbark Mountain.

After enjoying the views from Sugarloaf's cliffs, I headed back to the trail and descended steeply back down into Mink Hollow.

After dropping back down into the deep notch at just below 2600 feet, I began to climb in earnest again, making my way up Plateau's steep slopes.

Rocky ascent on the Devils Path.

Once up to about 2900 feet, I once again left the trail, heading north, skirting through a very rugged area of cliffs and calved off boulders.  Eventually made my around the cliffs, making my way up and over to a dizzying set of open ledges.  This is a view southeast towards Sugarloaf Mountain across Mink Hollow.

View east towards Sugarloaf's north ridge and Kaaterskill High Peak and Roundtop in the distance.

Open ledge view south into Mink Hollow, with Sugarloaf's slopes to the left and Plateau's to the right.

Once I left the ledges, I bushwhacked down north then east through open hardwoods in the afternoon shadows on Plateau's east slopes.

Eventually picked up an old woods road and followed it back down towards the trail.  Once down on the trail it was an easy walk back to the car.  Covered about 3.2 miles RT, with almost 14000 feet of ascent.

Map below.  P=Parking   Blue X's Ledges with Views

Baldface Mountain(Crotched Pond Easement Tract/ Jessup River Wild Forest-Adirondacks)

Headed up to the Adirondacks this morning to check out some fall foliage on the east side of Indian Lake.  I parked along Big Brook Road(County Route 4) where it meets Crotched Pond Road(Elevation 1675 feet) and headed west, utilizing a state easement towards 2259 foot Baldface Mountain.  Immediately after leaving the car I crossed over picturesque Round Pond Brook, stopping momentarily to take in the view to the north.

 

Heading west on Crotched Pond Road, where the colors are coming along nicely, making for a pleasant conditions.

Followed the road for a little over 1.4 miles before heading into the woods, bushwhacking north up the mountain through mostly open hardwoods.

Baldface Mountain is actually made up of three separate summit knobs, and I first headed up to the westernmost peak, circling over to a series of steep west facing ledges,

 

Was pleasantly surprised to find some stellar off trail views from this western set of ledges.  Great views across Indian Lake from a clearing.

Zoom view towards Snowy Mountain across the lake.

From the west bump, I continued my bushwhack north, dropping slightly before picking up a red blazed DEC trail, which is only accessible from the lake itself.  This trail climbs steeply but briefly up to a broad set of open ledges.

The trail ends here, at an incredible open set of rock ledges, which offer even better views than the western ledges that I had been on.

Indian Lake views stretching to the SW, with foliage ablaze.

 

West views across Indian Lake towards the hamlet of Sabael and the multiple peaks of Squaw Mountain rising above, with Porter Mountain to the right.  Just beyond them are(R-L)Burgess and Panther Mountains.

After enjoying the killer views, I bushwhacked back down to Crotched Pond Road, which I then followed back to the car.  Even the road walk was gorgeous on this splendid fall day.

Didn't see another soul all day covering 5 miles RT with over 700 feet of elevation gain.

Map below.  Red P=Parking   Blue X=Trailed Vista     Red X=Off Trail Views

Round Pond and Peaks 609 & 724(Eastern High Peaks Wilderness-Adirondacks)

Took advantage of yet another perfect late summer/ early fall day by doing a little exploring up in the Adirondack High Peaks region.  I wanted to visit Round Pond via its marked trail and then bushwhack up to the two small peaks that sit both east and west of the pond.  As I arrived in the lot off of Route 73(Elevation 1570 feet), I was surprised to see no other cars there, meaning I'd probably have the woods to myself.  

A short road walk brought me to the trail, which in turn brought me to the shores of Round Pond in less than half a mile.  As expected, the foliage was coming along quite nicely here, making for a beautiful scene.  This is a look west towards Peak 724, that I'd be heading to later in the day.

A good footpath follows Round Pond's east shore and leads to a nice campsite area.  A short distance from that I found a nice framed view north across the pond towards Giant Mountain.

 

Followed the outlet of Round Pond south to neighboring Twin Pond with this terrific view north to Giant Mountain.

 

A short bushwhack east up through a mixed forest brought me up to an impressive set of ledges with terrific views.  Here is a killer view south towards the Dix Range.

 

NW views above Twin Pond(left and directly below) and Round Pond(right) with Noonmark in the distance and Round Mountain looming above.  The ledges on Peak 724 that I'd be heading to soon are clearly visible above Round Pond as well.

Lots of open rock and views galore.  More views towards the Dix Range.

Just above the open ledges, I hit the mostly open 1997 foot summit.

Crossing north to the smaller, north bump of Peak 609, I found this large glacial erratic near the high point. 

Circling down to another set of ledges, this time on the east side of the north bump of Peak 609.  The foliage seemed to really be popping through this section.

From the NE corner of the north bump, found more great views above Bullet Pond to the NE.  The slopes of Noble Mountain can be seen rising above Route 73 to the left.

Impressive cliffs on the lower slopes of Rocky Peak Ridge to the north.

 

North views towards Rocky Peak Ridge, with Giant Mountain barely visible to the left in the distance.

 

After enjoying the views, I dropped back down to Round Pond, where the still water reflected the early fall colors almost perfectly.

Picked up the marked trail again, following it briefly to the west side of the pond, where I dove back into the woods, bushwhacking straight up towards Round Mountain's east ridge.

Once on the ridge, it was a nice and steady climb up towards the views that I was aiming for, directly above Round Pond.  Across the Pond is Peak 609 that I had just been on

There were many open areas of rock, but this slide like area presenting quite a nice view to the Dix Range.

 

SE views over Round Pond and stretching all the way to the Hammond Pond Wild Forest.

One more view from a south ledge towards the Dix Range, with early fall color on a shoulder of Round Mountain's in the foreground.

After enjoying the multitude of killer views, I made my way up to the open, moss covered 2375 foot summit area.

From the summit, I bushwhacked NE down through fairly steep but open woods towards the beginning of the trail down near Route 73 once again.  An easy road walk(which I hate) brought me back to my car, where I was shockingly still the only car there. Covered about 4.6 miles RT, with around 1200 feet of total ascent.

Map below. Blue P=Parking   Red X's=Summit and Views

Platte Clove South Rim Ledges(Indian Head Wilderness-Catskills)

Decided to venture down into the Catskills to check out some untrailed ledges on the rugged, south rim of Platte Clove on a warm, late summer afternoon. Parked in the first pull off on the shoulder of Platte Clove Road(Elevation 980 feet) and immediately dropped very steeply down towards the Plattekill, which I easily rock hopped across.

Once across the creek, the slopes were nearly vertical, as I carefully bushwhacked my way up the rough woods.

 

After a very steep but short ascent, I found an old quarry road, which I utilized to ascend the rugged terrain.

At one point, I briefly followed a side road that lead me to the site of an old quarry and its tailing piles.

With the aid of the old quarry roads, I made my way up to about 1600 feet on the east side of the mountain, before bushwhacking up to about 1750 feet and then down to an impressive set of ledges on the north slopes of the peak, high above Platte Clove.  The drop from these ledges was incredibly steep!!

The slopes of Hucklberry Point to the left, with the Hudson Valley stretching out far and wide to the east.

Views directly across Platte Clove towards Huckleberry Point, with Platte Clove Road visible down low.

After enjoying the views, I retraced my steps back down the old quarry roads, before a very steep bushwhack brought me to another crossing of the  Plattekill.

One last steep ascent brought me up to my waiting car.  Worked up a good sweat!!  Hiked a total of 3.6 miles RT, with 1250 feet of ascent.  

Map below.  Blue X=Parking  Red X=Ledges