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On Sunday, January 2, 2011, a group of us decided to climb RoundTop and Kaaterskill High Peak. We met at the Devil's Kitchen at 9:30 AM. From there we drove over to Gillespie Road. There was still snow on the road, but we drove in anyway. Didn't get stuck, which is always a good thing.

Our group consisted of myself, heather, tom, ted, scott, katie, and valerie.

There was heavy fog in the kaaterskill clove on the way up, and the skies were still overcast, but you could see that the sun was going to come out. We headed up the trail. We then bushwhacked over to the snowmobile trail. Heather led the way and came out within 50' of the snowmobile trail. That is the closest we have ever gotten to the junction. A record for sure. We then headed up the snowmobile trail on the north side. When we got to the top of the hill, we took the trail up the ridge. The side trail is hard to find, but you just have to look for the overhanging branch.

We tried to stay on the trail. Did a good job for the most part. Hit the first conifer forest. One of the prettiest in the Catskills in my opinion. Continued further. Then hit the second conifer forest. From there, we headed up the northwest side of RoundTop to the 3250 ledge. We then moved around to the west side. We then hiked up the first step ledge. We then hit the second ledge. We then followed the old trail up. Unfortunately, this trail is very overgrown, and probably not the best route. We then hiked up to the summit.

We then looked for the Thomas Cole site where he painted the famous picture of KHP. We then found the view point on the north side of RT. From there we headed down RT.

We then hiked across the 3250 ledge. Always a wonderful view and experience. We then hiked down into the col. Walked right up to the Tory Fort. Stayed for a moment. From there we hiked over to the Hanging Ledge. Always an amazing experience to see. From there, Heather led the way. She did well up to the large beech trees. From there she missed the fields. Common mistake. But, she got us up the hill to KHP.

At this point it was 3 PM, and we had 2 hrs to get down. I led the trip down. We found the trail, and followed it for the most part. Drift off a couple times, but not bad. Hiked down to the col. Part way across the 3250 ledge Val tripped and almost fell onto a stubby branch on a fallen log. Scared everyone. But, she was okay. We then hiked down the steep bank below the 3250 ledge. Really cool large boulder weaving trail.

We then hiked down to the snowmobile trail. From there we hiked down to the cars. We made the trip from KHP back to the car in 1.5 hours. Pretty good time.

Overall, everyone had a good time. Here are a few pictures:


View from RoundTop looking north - Fog over the Kaaterskill Clove - Can see north-south lake


Nice picture of Heather & Tom's dog on RoundTop with the sun shining across the snow.


Valerie showing us her rock climbing skills.


Scott taking an 'alternate' route - Heather and Katie waiting for Scott


Nice view of a rock crevice on the west side of KHP

Hope you enjoyed reading this TR as much as we did hiking it.

Happy New Year everyone! Mike, the shot from the top of Round Top with the fog in Kaaterskill Clove is absolutely gorgeous!! Great job! Looks like you guys had an awesome day. I was also impressed that many of you were only wearing shirt sleeves. Apparently, the temperatures were reasonably mild. Thanks as always for sharing your photos and your hiking experience.

Thanks Rich and Greg. Rich, our objective of the day was to tag the tops of RT and KHP. Not much sightseeing or enjoying other gems that lie high up on the two mountains. We had a problem following the trail up RT. With the snow, it just was not easy to find. The parts of the trail we did find were severely overgrown. We did find the Thomas Cole painting site, but didn't have time to find the view point of KHP, which was too bad. We did find the view point to the north, which is where the picture came from.

No problem finding the Tory Fort. Everyone liked the Hanging Ledge. But, who wouldn't? Heather led the hike from the Hanging Ledge up to KHP. She did fine until the big beech trees. She didn't take the fields, and got off course. But, she got us to the top. We didn't have time to go down to the Hurricane Ledges or the NE ledge or the plane crash. It was 3 PM by the time we got to KHP. But, we made it back to the cars by 4:30 pm. Heather led the hike from the PA to the snowmobile trail. Almost hit the junction dead-on. A record.

The road up to PA #2 wasn't plowed, but Tom had his 4WD and I had my AWD. Got up there with very few problems.

Val took a fall on the 3250 ledge on the way down. She fell over a log with branch spikes. Thankfully, she didn't hit any spikes. But, it scared the crap out of me. Why is that when we do this hike someone gets lost or needs a medivac helicopter?

It was warm on the way up at around 40 degrees, so the snow was like mash potatoes. It cooled off during the day to below 30 degrees. But, just about everyone had just a shirt on to keep cool. I was still hot and sweating with just a shirt, but I had on insulted pants. Probably a mistake. This was a fast moving crowd.

But, all of us had a lot of fun. This is an amazing hike, so it is hard not to have fun. this is the second time I have done it in the snow. Would like to do it in fresh deep snow. The trees would be amazing. There was around 4-8 inches of snow in many places. But on the 3250 ledge and the col there was 1-1/2'. The conifer forest had virtually no snow on the ground.

Mike wrote: "Val took a fall on the 3250 ledge on the way down. She fell over a log with branch spikes. Thankfully, she didn't hit any spikes. But, it scared the crap out of me. Why is that when we do this hike someone gets lost or needs a medivac helicopter?"

Mike, I know what you mean. It seems every time you or I ascend KHP, there is some kind of mishap. Thankfully, Val did not sustain a serious injury. Hopefully, she is fine and made it back to her car without any discomfort.

I also empathize with your comments about the group moving at a quick pace. They are definitely a "younger" crowd, and I'm sure I would have been crying for mercy - especially with all the camera gear I normally drag along!

Too bad you didn't have time to visit Hurricane Ledge. I am very curious as to whether the crankshaft is still there. If enough people are interested, I would really like to move it back to the wreck site, where it rightfully belongs.

All this reminds me that I still need to post some shots from when I hiked to Brant Fort last fall. I'll try to do it either later today or tomorrow.

Best wishes to everyone for happiness and good health in the New Year.

Rich

She laid there for a small period of time, and the only thing I could think of was that she had impaled it into her chest. Couldn't pick a worse place. But, thankfully she was okay.

I can move fast if I need to. But, I prefer to stop and smell the roses. But, we didn't get started until 10 am, and had to be back by 5 pm. Unless we wanted to hike in the dark. Been there and done that on KHP.

The crankshaft is still there. Or, was a month ago. Someone moved it off to the side. It's rightful place is about 50' east of the summit. Yes, it needs to go back. I think we need 4 guys to move it.

I was thinking about our future hike to Brant Fort in April yesterday. Maybe Bob G might like to come. I would like to get Mike K to go also. Also want to get to Buttermilk in April.

Hope you had a nice holiday.

Mike, likewise, I hope you and Alexis had a Happy New Year and Holiday Season.

It would be great if Bob G. and Mike K. could join us. The more "brain power" we can muster up, the better!