South Mountain(DEP/ Sundown Wild Forest-Catskills)

Wanted to take advantage of a gorgeous spring fever type day so decided to re-visit 2185 foot South Mountain, a trail-less peak located just north of Ashokan High Point that I had hiked several years ago.  My previous visit here was accessed from South Hollow Road on the mountain's west slopes so today I wanted to check out the east side of the peak.  Public access has really improved in recent years on the east side of the mountain, so I was anxious to check it out.  Parked in a small DEP parking spot(Elevation 890 feet) on High Point Mountain Road, almost directly below the northeast edge of the mountain's ridge and headed out, quickly locating an old logging road.

The climbing was fairly low key early on, as I passed through a couple of large meadows before hitting some steeper slopes and losing the woods road.  The sounds of running water beneath the ice filled the air as I began to head straight up the mountain.

The terrain was quite tough, with slick leaves and the still frozen ground making footing difficult, so I contoured a bit north towards a little easier slopes.  Once I began gaining elevation, I found some pretty nice views east out over the Ashokan Reservoir. 

A little higher up the mountain, I was able to hook up with another good woods road, which lead me due south towards the summit(with Ashokan High Point visible through the trees).

The slopes drop off very, very steeply to the east below the woods road and provide some more nice views towards the Reservoir.

Unfortunately that woods road peters out at about 1750 feet, so I bushwhacked the last 435 feet of elevation in less than 3/10 of a mile.  It was a tough, hard earned climb up to the ridge, where I was greeted with a few inches of soft snow and mountain laurel.  Thankfully a herd path leads up to the nondescript 2185 foot summit.

From the summit, I continued on the herd path, soon leaving the snow and dropping south to a small clearing and wide open ledge that provides a spectacular up close view of Ashokan High Point.

Following the herd path along the ledges.

The herd path continues south and after a little elevation loss and then regain, a wonderful view opens up towards the Burroughs Range and South Mountain to the nearby right.(where I had just been)

 

An awesome view towards the Burroughs Range!

As the herd path begins to climb a bit more steadily up Ashokan High Point's north ridge, the snow reappeared and another wonderful view opens up in an even larger clearing. 

Looking back north at South Mountain.  What an incredible spot!!

After enjoying the great views, I headed back north, but descending via a different route instead.  In a low spot on the ridge, I picked up a steep woods road dropping directly north.  This was actually the original trail up to the Ashokan High Point Fire Tower-but has a lot of serious blowdown in its path now.

The old fire tower trail fades out down near 1300 feet, so from there I simply bushwhacked my way NE towards my car through wide open woods.  Once out of the deep shadows of the mountain, the bright sun and 50 degree temperatures really felt great.

A wonderful little hike and unknown gem of the Catskills(for now).  Didn't see another soul all day but did pick up my first tick of the year!  Ugh! 4.5 miles RT with nearly 1500 feet of combined ascent on a beautiful late winter day.

Romer Mountain Quarry & Ledges(DEP/ Slide Mountain Wilderness-Catskills)

 Headed south this morning to do a little exploring on Romer Mountain's lower slopes on a beautiful, sunny spring like day.  I parked in an unmarked state parking area along Route 28(Elevation 760 feet), about 1/3 mile south of the Pheonicia Diner, and walked the icy road the short distance in to public access.  Just across Route 28, Mount Tremper rises impressively above.

Left the road and jumped into the woods at a DEP access spot, beginning my bushwhack there.

There was very little snow or ice in the woods and I made good time hiking up the steep slopes, heading SW.  The slopes below began to really drop off as I gained elevation, with the sounds of traffic down on Route 28 becoming more distant by the moment.

Contoured my way over to a long series of impressive ledges, which were impossible to ascend. 

Continued all the way around the steepest ledges, soon picking up an old bluestone quarry road, which lead me directly to a small quarry.

Stonework near the quarry.

Followed a series of quarry and woods roads that dot the slopes of Romer Mountain.  The mild temps climbing through the 40's, are causing the impressive ice flows to begin melting.

Wandered my way over to the top of the steep ledges I had been below earlier, and found some decent views.  From a small clearing, I caught this southeast facing view along Route 28 and the Esopus Creek from a ledge just below 1400 feet.

Looking straight down, almost vertically down, at the small strip mall along Route 28, about 650 feet below with Mount Tremper directly above.

After checking out the ledges and exploring the woods, I circled around to the north, finding a more generous route down the steep slopes and back to my car.  A nice and easy-but steep-2.6 miles RT, with nearly 900 feet of ascent.

Map below.  Red P=Parking   Black X=Ledges

Sharon Mountain(Salisbury, Connecticut-Litchfield Hills)

Headed into the rugged Litchfield Hills of NW Connecticut to hike a section of Sharon Mountain along the Appalachian Trail after work this afternoon.  Parked along the shoulder of Route 7(Elevation 550 feet)  near its intersection with Route 112 and headed into the woods with a biting, cold wind offsetting the nearly 100% sunshine.  I wasn't sure how much ice or snow would remain in the woods, but I was surprised to find barely any ice at all!

Heading south, the trail immediately begins to ascend steeply up the ridge, passing over Belter's Bump, a small knob which reportedly used to have a nice view.  Today, there is nothing more than a small clearing with peek a boo views to the east.

The climb south continues at a steady rate, winding up through a rocky hemlock forest.

Once up and over 1000 feet, the slopes drop off drastically to the east, providing many good screened views out over the valley.

The trail meanders along with a couple of small ups and downs along the way as the trail skirts a high point on the ridge.  It was here, in one of these more sheltered locations, that I ran into the most ice I saw all day.  Spikes woould be helpful in this section.

After passing over the nondescript 1372 foot high point of Sharon Mountain's North Peak, the trail winds its way west, descending down to Hang Glider View, where a sharp drop off and clearing provide a great view.

The spectacular view NW takes in the nearby countryside, as well as the Taconic Ridgeline in the distance. 

After enjoying the vista(but not the bitterly cold winds) from the exposed viewpoint, I headed back, retracing my steps with the late afternoon sun shining brightly above.

Hiked about 5.1 miles RT, with 1400 feet of combined ascent.  I was pleasantly surprised to not see anyone else on this cold, but pleasant winter day.

Black Creek Marsh WMA(Town of New Scotland, Albany County)

Visited the Black Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area this afternoon, which sprawls out to cover nearly 450 acres at the base of the Helderberg Escarpment near Voorheesville.  There are several trailheads and access points as well as a myriad of small, marked and unmarked trails that meander throughout the area.  My starting point was from the trialhead located off of School Road, where a kiosk and small designated parking area are located.  About 2 inches of very hard packed snow covered the ground throughout most of the hike, so I donned my spikes and set out.

Initially I followed the yellow blazed trail, which crosses a large clearing and meadow area, before dropping down into the woods.  Once in the woods, one way leads to a dead end at a railroad crossing and a second heads north to a junction with a blue blazed trail.

The blue trail forms a loop, closely hugging the east side of the marsh and providing many up close views of Black Creek, which is currently completely frozen over.

Across the wintry Black Creek Marsh is a wonderful view of the nearby Helderberg Escarpment to the west. This was really a nice spot!

After enjoying the trails along School Road, I then drove the short distance to the trailhead at the end of Kling Terrace, where there is a kiosk and room for about one or two cars to park.

The trails here are pleasant, but a strong wind kept me moving along.  The hard packed snow has almost become a solid ice, and was not softening much even on this 40 degree day.

Crossing beneath power lines, where an easement allows hikers to pass with clearing skies above.

Hiked about 2.5 miles total, with a couple hundred feet of barley noticeable ascent along the way.  Didn't see another soul the entire afternoon.  A hidden gem in plain sight!
 

The Dome-South Ledges(Green Mountain National Forest-Vermont)

Headed over to the Vermont/ Massachusetts state line after work to do a little exploration in the Green Mountain National Forest on yet another mild winter day.  With limited time, my game plan was to head partway up The Dome from White Oaks Road for about a mile and then bushwhack over to a steep area between the Dome Trail and the Agawon Trail at around 1800 feet.

The trailhead was not plowed but manageable to park in, although I could see it getting tricky with the thawing and melting taking place recently. Elevation at The Dome Trailhead is a just a touch over 1000 feet and I was the only car there to start.

I threw my microspikes on and set out on the hard packed trail, steadily gaining elevation east, then north up to around 1700 feet.  From there, I left the trail and began to contour my way east through several inches of mushy snow.  I was able to locate the steep area of ledges I was looking for just over 2/10 of a mile off trail, with some decent screened views SE towards the north ridge of East Mountain near the state line.

From the same ledges, looking due south into Williamstown. Unfortunately a heavy snow squall was working its way through, hindering what could've been a decent view towards the Greylock Range.

On my return to the trail, the intense, heavy snow squall moved in and dropped visibility down to almost zero.  Thankfully, as quickly as it moved in, it moved right back out, leaving a nice and easy descent back to the car. 

With a little time remaining before the darkness set in, I decided to drive the short distance (less than 1/4 mile south)down White Oaks Road to the Broad Brook Trailhead and do another short walk.  This trail closely hugs the beautiful, babbling Broad Brook, which was especially picturesque in its wintry appearance. 

Hiked about 3 miles total, with just under 900 feet of ascent for the day.

 

Ferncliff Forest(Town of Rhinebeck, Dutchess County)

Took advantage of a sunny and mild winter day by heading down to the 200 acre Ferncliff Forest, located in northern Dutchess County in the town of Rhinebeck.  Parked at the trailhead along Mount Rutsen Road(Elevation 200 feet) and headed out on the yellow blazed Trail, which was well packed down and made for easy walking.  I threw spikes on to be safe, but not sure if they were really needed.

I initially stayed on the yellow trail, which climbs up to the summit of Mount Rutsen, standing at a modest 350 feet.  Although there are no views from the ground, there is an 80 foot steel observation tower at the summit, with very rewarding views at the top.

From the top of the tower, there are great 360 degree views, with the views northwest towards the Hudson River and Catskills being the most stunning! 

South views into Dutchess County.

A closer zoom towards the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge and Catskills.

From the tower, I took various trails, which wind their way through the woods, passing by stoic old stone walls along the way.  There are literally a maze of trails throughout these woods, with most being well marked and color coded. 

With temps climbing into the mid 40's, Mount Rutsen Pond is beginning to shows signs of thawing.

Of historical note, there are many old wells and root cellars that remain from a 19th century Church Colony that was located on these grounds. 

Covered many of the trails in the Forest, enjoying the nice weather.  Hiked a nice and easy 2.5 miles total with over 400 feet of combined ascent on a beautiful mid winter day!

Lions Head & Mount Riga Shelter(Salisbury, Connecticut-Litchfield Hills)

Took advantage of a sunny and beautiful Tuesday morning by heading down into NW Connecticut to hike Lions Head and a section of the Appalachian Trail.  I would be starting my hike from the trailhead for the Lions Head Connecter Trail on Bunker Hill Road(Elevation 1160 feet), which was plowed, although I was surprisingly the only car there.  Temps were only in the single digits as I set, but quickly warmed up under clear skies and a light south breeze.  The trail was well broken out and compact, making snowshoes more of a hindrance than a benefit through the 6 inches or so of snow.  

The Lions Head connector trail meanders through open meadows and near residential houses, before crossing a private driveway and heading into the woods, where the climbing finally commences. 

The trail climbs steadily west-then north, soon meeting up with the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail after less than one mile and over 300 feet of ascent.  Once on the AT, the trail climbs a bit more steeply north, with one last scramble up to Lions Head summit at 1738 feet.

The views from Lions Head are truly outstanding!  To the southeast, the view takes in the distant Housatonic River Valley, with the Wetauwanchu Ridge in front of that.  The start of the hike down on Bunker Hill Road sits in the foreground, well over 500 feet below. 

 East facing views towards Mount Prospect and Canaan Mountain's long ridge in the distance.

Views to the south, with the Taconic Ridge and Mount Riga to the right. 

After enjoying the summit views, the AT presses on, following the ridge to the north.  Just prior to a descent off the ridge, a nice view opens up to the north, with Bear Mountain and Mount Everett visible.

 

I followed the Appalachian Trail winding its way north, never dropping below 1550 feet on its way to a spur trail for the Mount Riga Shelter and Campsite.  There are tent platforms, a privy and bear proof containers here, but the Lean To and its views are certainly the highlight!!

East facing views from the Lean To take in a large swath of NW Connecticut.  This must be a truly magical spot to catch the sunrise after a night's sleep in the Lean To.

From the Shelter, I turned back, retracing my steps back over Lions Head and down to the car.  Was quite shocked to not see another person all day on this beautiful mid winter day in the Litchfield Hills!  Hiked 3.5 miles RT, with nearly 1000 feet of combined ascent.