We wanted to miss the afternoon heat, so we started out fairly early. We got to the PA around 9am. Okay...early for alexis. We parked at the end of Spruceton Road. We registered at the DEC registration box and headed up the trail. It was a little humid, but the temperature was in the low 60's. The wind was perfectly still. When we got to Westkill Falls, we stopped for a moment to enjoy the falls. We then headed up the rocky and steeper trail. As we climbed the humidity got lower while the temperature started to rise. As the trail turned to the right, we hit the mud holes and got around them.
We stopped at Geiger Point and enjoyed the view. We got a small little breeze, which felt good. We took some pictures, and then decided to move on. Just after we left, we found a Saw-Whet Owl on the trail. Never seen one on Hunter Mountain in the summer. You can sometimes find them migrating in the Spring and Fall. But, I haven't seen them nesting in the summer. Just as I started to pull my camera out of my pocket, he flew away deep into the Balsam Fir trees. I was sure that this would be the highlight of the day.
We then headed up the trail. At the trail junction we then headed up the herd trail to Leavitt Peak. It is always a nice forest walk up the herd path. We enjoyed the walk up the old road. Every once in a while we could get a glimpse of the valley. With the level walk we cooled off a bit, and it was very enjoyable. We then got to the herd path to the top of Levitt Mtn. Alexis lead the way. About half way up, she suddenly stopped. It was a mink blocking the path. This time I got the camera out of my pocket and snapped a few pictures. This hike was turning out to be a great hike. Two rare animals within an hour. This was turning out to be a real nice hike. We got past the Mink with a little difficulty and hiked up to the canister. Alexis registered for the hike. We then started to look for a place to eat lunch. Finally, we started to head down the trail. About 100' from the canister, I could see the mink charging up the trail. He was headed straight for us. When he got to us, he started to attack Alexis, by nipping at her feet. She danced around trying to shake the Mink. After some difficulty we both got on the other side of the Mink and we briskly started down the trail, with the Mink charging after us the whole way. I finally had Alexis get ahead of us, and I stood my ground against the Mink. When he got close enough, scuffed up some dirt up with my boot. This seemed to scare the Mink, and he stopped charging at me. Then it was a stare-down on Leavitt Mountain. As I moved down the trail, he followed until we got to his nest, which is right in the middle of the path. At this point, he finally stopped.
We then hiked down the mountain. When we got to Westkill Falls, we stopped for a break. A butterfly then landed on Alexis pack and stayed there for about 15 minutes. It refused to move. Even when Alexis went into here pack, the butterfly still refused to move. We then hiked back to the car. Overall, this was far from the boring hike I thought it would be. We both had a great time.
Westkill Falls
Trail up to Leavitt Mountain - Alexis hiking through a sea of Neddles.
Views from Geiger Point
Herd Path to Leavitt Mountain
Angry little Mink
Another picture of the mink
White Butterly
Red Admiral who wouldn't leave
Unknown butterfly
