After doing Barkaboom and Cradle Rock Ridge yesterday, I had a triple planned for today. Willowemoc/Sand Pond and Woodpecker Ridge--all Catskill HH
Got an earlier start today--was on the Hardenburgh Trail at 8:30. Not too many people signed in the register this year--It's a great trail--more of a herd path--the ridge walk to Willowemoc is very pretty, but you have to BW a bit to hit the summit--signage into the col on the way to Sand Pond is sketchy at best--you could wander a bit if you don't stay alert. There is one nice lookout looking SE just below the summit of Sand Pond. I think you can see Denman--and way off in the distance,Slide. Not much else in the way of views. The woods are full of Warblers( ID'd several different types) and Thrushes (I love their song)--saw Pileated WP--actually scared him off a tree--he was back there as I hiked back out, drumming away. It turned hot and the trees haven't leafed(?) out yet so I dropped my pack and gear at the car and just took my Camelback and the GPS up WP Ridge. I had a route plotted from the PA but it looked a wee bit thick so I walked down the road til I found better spot. An uneventful walk up--the usual BW problems--got sidetracked a few times--tripped over blowdown--slid down leaf covered talus, bugs were eating me up and the sun was hot. Finished my water. Found what I thought was the top and booked back to the car. Thought about sticking a foot into the Beaverkill ,But I thought I saw armed guards in the trees, Jeesh--triple wire and signs galore--Flyfisherman Mafia
Willowemoc and San Pond 8:30--12:00 about 7 miles 1800 vert
WP Ridge 12:00--2:30 about 4miles and 1200 vert
Pics are up
A good couple days--5 HH, pickered up legs, sunburn, and bug itches.
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Got an earlier start today--was on the Hardenburgh Trail at 8:30. Not too many people signed in the register this year--It's a great trail--more of a herd path--the ridge walk to Willowemoc is very pretty, but you have to BW a bit to hit the summit--signage into the col on the way to Sand Pond is sketchy at best--you could wander a bit if you don't stay alert. There is one nice lookout looking SE just below the summit of Sand Pond. I think you can see Denman--and way off in the distance,Slide. Not much else in the way of views. The woods are full of Warblers( ID'd several different types) and Thrushes (I love their song)--saw Pileated WP--actually scared him off a tree--he was back there as I hiked back out, drumming away. It turned hot and the trees haven't leafed(?) out yet so I dropped my pack and gear at the car and just took my Camelback and the GPS up WP Ridge. I had a route plotted from the PA but it looked a wee bit thick so I walked down the road til I found better spot. An uneventful walk up--the usual BW problems--got sidetracked a few times--tripped over blowdown--slid down leaf covered talus, bugs were eating me up and the sun was hot. Finished my water. Found what I thought was the top and booked back to the car. Thought about sticking a foot into the Beaverkill ,But I thought I saw armed guards in the trees, Jeesh--triple wire and signs galore--Flyfisherman Mafia
Willowemoc and San Pond 8:30--12:00 about 7 miles 1800 vert
WP Ridge 12:00--2:30 about 4miles and 1200 vert
Pics are up
A good couple days--5 HH, pickered up legs, sunburn, and bug itches.
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