Views of Rusk and Spruceton Valley
Lovely Autumn colors
Since Hurricane Irene made it impossible to hike my intended destinations (Bearpen and Balsam Lake) I made my way to catch Autumn's greatness on the Becker Hollow trail, which leads to the Summit of Hunter Mountain. With an elevation gain of 2,200 feet in 2.2 miles, the Becker Hollow trail is one of the steepest in the Catskills.
Although past peak, the colors were still very delightful. There is also something special about the crunching sound the leaves under your feet make. Many people were out as the summit was quite crowded. A very beautiful day with some nice winds. It felt very much like October.
Some scenes from the walk can be found here.
Great views from the tower. The first views are of SW Hunter and the Central Catskills (Slide and others). The views then head west toward Westkill and Rusk. The views North include Windham, Thomas Cole, Black Dome and Blackhead. The views east take in North and south Mts, North Lake and Kaaterskill High Peak.
Remember when we went to Hunter in the winter, when there was tons of snow all over the place? I think that was my last winter peak. I remember when we got to the top, I moved off to take a leak, and fell into about a 6 feet of snow. The worst is when there's vegetation below the snow, like little spruce trees, and your snowshoes get ensnared in the vegetation, and you can move. Easy way to die if you're alone. I have a couple of good panoramas from that trip. I should send them to you. I think the view from that firetower is best in the dead of winter, when there's lots of snow, and its really cold but really sunny, and the legs of tower are crusted in ice.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that was a nice hike. That was when we met those telemarkers on the way down. A fuck load of snow that day.
ReplyDeleteFire towers are great when they are icy. That's when they build character. That's also when you build character. Your hands freeze holding the railings. Thought is put into each step or else you may slide on down. The winds send chills right to the bone. But the views are so much better. Endless snow covered mountains, matched with clear blue skies. Fucking priceless!