If you want to just look at post, you do NOT need an account.
But, if you want to post comments you need to open an account. Please: Click Here to apply for an account.
But, if you want to post comments you need to open an account. Please: Click Here to apply for an account.
Balsam Mountain
- mike
- Posts: 1444
- Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:20 pm
- Location: Ravena, NY
Balsam Mountain
On Saturday Alexis and I headed over to Big Indian region. We decided to hike Balsam Mountain. It is usually a nice moderate hike. There is a nice view from the top. Neither of us had been there since Hurricane Irene. Didn't really know what to expect. As we moved down the trail, it was obvious that Hurricane Irene had done a lot of damage. We also found a new bridge put in by the DEC. But, as soon as you get across the bridge, you are stuck. the trail ends in the middle of the creek with down trees everywhere. We back tracked and hiked up on the ridge, and got around the mess. But, there were lots of people lost or they turned back.
We then hiked up the hill to the junction to Bellayre. We then headed towards to Balsam Mtn. We then hiked up the steep hill and head towards Balsam. Soon enough we were on the summit. We stopped at the overlook and had lunch. We then headed down the mountain. The stream crossing were interesting. The last one was the most difficult. It was a nice day in the woods.
New DEC bridge
Trail to the summit - Balsam Mtn in the background
Alexis and I at 3500' mark
Balsam Mountain Overlook
Summit of Balsam Mountain
Typical view of the trail
The second bridge on the trail
Trilliums blooming
We then hiked up the hill to the junction to Bellayre. We then headed towards to Balsam Mtn. We then hiked up the steep hill and head towards Balsam. Soon enough we were on the summit. We stopped at the overlook and had lunch. We then headed down the mountain. The stream crossing were interesting. The last one was the most difficult. It was a nice day in the woods.
New DEC bridge
Trail to the summit - Balsam Mtn in the background
Alexis and I at 3500' mark
Balsam Mountain Overlook
Summit of Balsam Mountain
Typical view of the trail
The second bridge on the trail
Trilliums blooming
-
- Posts: 496
- Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:46 pm
Re: Balsam Mountain
Didn't know that they still had damage from Hurricane Irene. When are they going to fix the trail, and how did you get around it? How bad are the water crossings?
Views looked good. Nice to see that the steel A post bridge survived. Haven't been over there recently.
Views looked good. Nice to see that the steel A post bridge survived. Haven't been over there recently.
-
- Posts: 134
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 5:53 pm
Re: Balsam Mountain
Okay, they built a new bridge, but the path is washed away after the bridge?
- Sam
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:17 pm
- Location: Rhinebeck NY
Re: Balsam Mountain
Great shot of the trillium! I hiked balsam back in january...seems like last week. What a change in the display of scenery.
- mike
- Posts: 1444
- Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:20 pm
- Location: Ravena, NY
Re: Balsam Mountain
We hiked up on the bank. There is a new trail that is flagged, but hasn't been cut yet. The water crossing weren't terrible, but you could get your feet wet. We threw some stones in where there was problems.
Yeah, great bridge. Not sure why they didn't finish the job by cutting a new trail. Maybe an hour of work?
Thanks Jon for the comments on the trillium. Yeah, it looks so much different in the winter. I actually like it better with snow, but the stream crossing can be challenging with icy rocks.
Yeah, great bridge. Not sure why they didn't finish the job by cutting a new trail. Maybe an hour of work?
Thanks Jon for the comments on the trillium. Yeah, it looks so much different in the winter. I actually like it better with snow, but the stream crossing can be challenging with icy rocks.
- Jon
- Posts: 324
- Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:43 pm
- Location: Bangor, PA
Re: Balsam Mountain
hadn't commented yet but yes I love that pic. Were they facing down? I thought I saw some dark purple flower drooping last week on slide, is that what I missed?mike wrote:
Thanks Jon for the comments..
- Sam
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:17 pm
- Location: Rhinebeck NY
Re: Balsam Mountain
Hey, has anybody encountered a white trillium, durig their catskill rambles?
- bousquet19
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:30 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
- Contact:
Re: Balsam Mountain
Sam, I haven't seen any white trilliums in the Catskills, only the red trilliums and the painted trilliums (= white with red-striped throats). My guess is that the true white trilliums (T. grandiflora) require a more nutrient-rich soil than what most of the Catskills provides.
(I don't mean to hijack this thread, but Sam asked a good question!)
Woody
(I don't mean to hijack this thread, but Sam asked a good question!)
Woody
- Sam
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:17 pm
- Location: Rhinebeck NY
Re: Balsam Mountain
Woody, Thanks for your response...I too have seen the painted trillium and purple trillium growing prolifically in the Catskills. The latter more so than the former. While we're on the subject of flowers....How about lady slippers? I read an essay by John Burroughs who explains in thorough detail that he found a few growing in a "swampy" area near Slabsides. I wonder if some of the lower elevations of the Catskill park are home to the lady slipper. In any event Happy trails....
-Sam
I don't intend on cluttering this thread. But it's all relative isn't it? A picture of a trillium that was posted kind of sparked a discussion based upon said flower.
-Sam
I don't intend on cluttering this thread. But it's all relative isn't it? A picture of a trillium that was posted kind of sparked a discussion based upon said flower.
- mike
- Posts: 1444
- Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:20 pm
- Location: Ravena, NY
Re: Balsam Mountain
Found on the trail to Table/Peekamoose from Denning Road this weekend.
You don't see them very often.