North-South Lake & southern escarpment
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 10:05 pm
With it being so hot on Saturday, we decided to head out early in the morning to avoid the oppressive heat. We arrived at the end of Laurel House Road close to 8am. We were the first to arrive at the parking lot. We headed down to the Lake Creek, and crossed the creek near the old bridge. We stopped to register and enjoy the small waterfalls next to the trail. We then hiked up the cross-country ski trail to South Lake, and took the trail next to South lake. People were just coming out of their tents as we walked past many of the camp sites.
When we got to the east side of North lake, we walked into one of the empty camp sites. Next the the lake were a family of Canadian Geese. About 10 young ones. There was also a family of ducks swimming by. We took some pictures and moved on.
We then headed over to the old Catskill Mountain House. We then headed up the trail. The birds were flying up-and-down the trail. We were the first hikers of the day, so we surprised a few birds. One flew down the trail and did a 180 and flew back up the trail. We stopped by Eagle Ledge and looked over the Hudson Valley. It was hazy, but it still looked nice. We then moved on down the trail. We skipped Boulder Rock. It's overgrown with trees, and it was hazy.
As we moved down the trail, the Mountain Laurels were in full bloom. We took some pictures and moved on. We finally passed our first hikers of the day. We then took the side trail that takes you down the southern part of the Escarpment Trail. Even with it hazy, the views are still outstanding.
We stopped at Sunset Ledge (the real one - not the one the DEC thinks is Sunset Ledge). We then moved on. Ran into a girl I recognized, but couldn't think of her name. But, we kept marching on.
By the time we reached the car, it was already 80 degrees. Unfortunately, there was very little wind. We were starting to get hot, so our timing was good.
Canadian Geese in North Lake
Eagle Ledge
Eagle Ledge
Mountain Laurel blooming
Sunset Ledge looking westward
When we got to the east side of North lake, we walked into one of the empty camp sites. Next the the lake were a family of Canadian Geese. About 10 young ones. There was also a family of ducks swimming by. We took some pictures and moved on.
We then headed over to the old Catskill Mountain House. We then headed up the trail. The birds were flying up-and-down the trail. We were the first hikers of the day, so we surprised a few birds. One flew down the trail and did a 180 and flew back up the trail. We stopped by Eagle Ledge and looked over the Hudson Valley. It was hazy, but it still looked nice. We then moved on down the trail. We skipped Boulder Rock. It's overgrown with trees, and it was hazy.
As we moved down the trail, the Mountain Laurels were in full bloom. We took some pictures and moved on. We finally passed our first hikers of the day. We then took the side trail that takes you down the southern part of the Escarpment Trail. Even with it hazy, the views are still outstanding.
We stopped at Sunset Ledge (the real one - not the one the DEC thinks is Sunset Ledge). We then moved on. Ran into a girl I recognized, but couldn't think of her name. But, we kept marching on.
By the time we reached the car, it was already 80 degrees. Unfortunately, there was very little wind. We were starting to get hot, so our timing was good.
Canadian Geese in North Lake
Eagle Ledge
Eagle Ledge
Mountain Laurel blooming
Sunset Ledge looking westward