Catskillmountaineer.com Forum

I drove to Trails End Road in the Sundown Wild Forest. Shortly after the end of the paved road, I thought that my car wouldn't make it up to the hill to the parking area. So, I backed into a small turn-around. I backed in a little too far and promptly got stuck. My front wheel spun in the soft mud. I walked down the road and found a nice neighbor who helped pull my car back onto the road. He mentioned that he pulled someone out of the same spot last year. I parked my car further down in a safe spot, and then started the hike. Hoofed up the road to the parking area. I started following the Long path, but there was too much blow-down. So, I backtracked and took the snowmobile trail instead. There was one area with a lot of downed trees from Hurricane Irene. Lots of chain saw work done here. I continued on the road/trail for about a mile. At the "No Maintenance beyond this point" sign, I followed some ATV trails past a cabin and to a camp-site. Then, I went off-trail and bushwacked up the hill to Spencers Ledge. I went to the left of the cliffs and found an easy way up. Followed along the ledges and found a nice spot with decent views. Stopped for lunch break. Headed back down and followed the trail over to Vernooy Kill Falls. Real nice, sunny day out today.

Pictures

Great hike! I really like the views from Spencers Ledge. Have always wanted to get up there. Probably the perfect weekend for it. Too cold for rattlesnakes, and too warm for snow. The pics of the falls look real nice too.

I was on the look-out for rattle snakes. Fortunately for me and the dog, I never encountered any.

It generally has to be above 52 degrees for them to come out. It was too cold last weekend for them to come out.