Winter in the Catskills; Who's getting stoked?

[TrunksWD]

Mike - That looks like a spectacular view point. I'll have to keep that hike in mind once the Spring rolls around. Are there any other hikes with good views that aren't high peaks? I could always use suggestions for other hikes in the Catskills.

[Sam]

Mike- I'll have to get back there sometime! I was hiking solo and the weather was acting up all day, so I was content with the first ledge, which bears the "North Point" sign. Amazing spot, especially with winter conditions i.e. howling wind, snow, ice, no visibility, and all that good stuff.

Yesterday I went to the Lake Capra area and enjoyed the panoramic views of Black Head, Arizona Mountain, and Dutchers Notch. A part of me wanted to bag and tag em all, but from where I had lunch in one of the meadows by the "East Kill" (if my memory serves me right) the views were out of this world. There was a light coating of snow/rime on the vegetation and it looked like there were a few inches higher up on the peaks.

Great time to be outside! The rest of the week looks like great weather to get out and play!

Trunks- As far as the approach to Lone/Rocky goes, I would heed the advice Mike gave you. Throwing Table into the mix for the sake of hooking up with the marked DEC trail would tax your energy and require too much time (especially this time of year with the lack of daylight).

[cgeigel]

Any feedback out there on conditions on the Devil's Path at the moment? The high peaks were looking a little ... frosty on 87 southbound at Exit 21 (the great view we have there).

We are thinking of hitting Indian Head, or the like, this weekend, and would like to be best-prepared.

While I wouldn't necessarily expect more than a couple of inches of snow, I would also expect a bit of icing after all this rain, and now turned cold again. Plus think it will snow-shower up there during either day.

Just wondering if anyone's been up there past 24-48 hours.

Thanks.

[Sam]

I was in the "Sundown" area of the park today and noticed some snow at the higher elevations. Like you said you'll most likely run into some ice and a little bit of snow as you work your way up the trail. Tomorrow I'm going to climb "Big Indian", which isn't exactly in the same neck of the woods as the "Devil's Path", but I'll post a report with regards to the conditions above 3500', afterwards.

Have fun out there!

P.S. If you have micro-spikes it would be prudent to just toss them in your pack as a precaution. And expect sloppy conditions for the most part. Gore-tex is the name of the game, for sure.

[mike]

Today the snow levels started at 2500'. It should freeze nice and hard tonight. Expect icy conditions. Micro-spikes at a minimum. Maybe even snowshoes.

[Sam]

I wonder how the water crossings are going to be tomorrow around the Biscuit Brook? Hahah, might have to employ some creativity! Hopefully we can use snowshoes sometime soon.

[cgeigel]

Thanks, Sam and Mike. Definitely appreciate the comments. You know how it is ..... you never know, and you must be prepared. Hard to "guess" conditions without feedback. It's an interesting time of year, though ..... White Christmas!

[Sam]

No problem! We need more forum users! lol. Actually got an opportunity to write "merry xmas" at one of the overlooks on Windham High Peak today, in the 3", or so of fresh powder.

I used some crampons near the summit and on the summit today, but other than that the going was pretty easy. Some slush, slippery rocks, and the like, but nothing treacherous. Hopefully we get a ton of snow next week like we're supposed to, so we can all get out and use our winter gear!

Happy Holidays!

[TrunksWD]

I hiked up Fir today. My 8th winter peak. Didn't have enough time to get to Big Indian. Have to come back another day to get that one. There was maybe an inch or so of snow at the start of the hike and got up to about 6 inches at the top.

[Sam]

Yeah, I ran into a decent amount of snow on Vly/Bearpen yesterday. 6" sounds like a good figure to round off to. Looks like if we get the anticipated snow for Tuesday/Wednesday, snowshoes will be getting strapped to our packs.