Blackhead 3/30/2016
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 11:27 pm
Hi all. This is my first post here.
I couldn't decide whether to hike KHP or Blackhead. I hiked Blackhead last March but decided to go for it again because of the views. What a difference a year makes. Instead of crazy deep snow and thick ice, the trails were in great shaped. I brought crampons and microspikes just in case. For the most part, there was no snow or ice. The last 250 ft up to Blackhead did have quite a bit of soft-ish ice and I decided to don my microspikes. Maybe they were not absolutely necessary but they were much more comfortable.
I am always amazed by the approach near the lean-to as the trail rises to meet the top of the escarpment. The views out to Round Top, Catskill and the Hudson, etc. were outstanding. After reaching the summit I took the detour left for Camp Steel and the lookout approximately 0.25 miles east, an easy walk. I have never seen that spot and I was glad I made the effort, it's not to be missed. The hike down to Lockwood Gap is steep and dramatic. I noticed several steel posts rising about 12 inches out of the ground and supporting rocks. It looks like someone is trying to reinforce the trail to prevent undue erosion. I stopped to take a drink from the spring before descending into the quite forest below. There I stopped to view the multiple waterways and gentle falls.
There were two other groups on the trail. One signed in before me and one after me. I never saw either of them, though both groups signed out before me.
I couldn't decide whether to hike KHP or Blackhead. I hiked Blackhead last March but decided to go for it again because of the views. What a difference a year makes. Instead of crazy deep snow and thick ice, the trails were in great shaped. I brought crampons and microspikes just in case. For the most part, there was no snow or ice. The last 250 ft up to Blackhead did have quite a bit of soft-ish ice and I decided to don my microspikes. Maybe they were not absolutely necessary but they were much more comfortable.
I am always amazed by the approach near the lean-to as the trail rises to meet the top of the escarpment. The views out to Round Top, Catskill and the Hudson, etc. were outstanding. After reaching the summit I took the detour left for Camp Steel and the lookout approximately 0.25 miles east, an easy walk. I have never seen that spot and I was glad I made the effort, it's not to be missed. The hike down to Lockwood Gap is steep and dramatic. I noticed several steel posts rising about 12 inches out of the ground and supporting rocks. It looks like someone is trying to reinforce the trail to prevent undue erosion. I stopped to take a drink from the spring before descending into the quite forest below. There I stopped to view the multiple waterways and gentle falls.
There were two other groups on the trail. One signed in before me and one after me. I never saw either of them, though both groups signed out before me.