Balsam Lake & Graham

Balsam Lake Fire Tower

It's hard to believe, but this trail was barely negotiable the last  time I was on it.

Graham and Doubletop

Balsam and Eagle.  Look at those clouds!

Alder Lake

No signs of civilization!

Lush with colors

Balsam Lake Mt from Graham

Old radio building on summit of Graham

Me.  Monkeying around.

Dry Brook valley

Slide, with Wittenburg and Cornell to its left

Panther

Looking into the old structure

Balsam and Eagle

Doubletop

Flowers.  I'm not sure what.

The trail to the right leads to Graham

I woke up to one of the most fabulous breezes I have felt in a long while.  After all the nasty, sticky and hot humidity, this morning was a pleasant surprise.  What a shame it would be to waste such a day!

The Catskill 3500 foot peaks were really my first stomping grounds when it comes to hiking.  Hudson Valley Hiking has mostly neglected these wonderful spots.  I've been concentrating on areas that I rarely explored, but mostly because I've been to so many of the 3500 club peaks numerous times.  Balsam Lake and Graham were no exceptions.  Although I know I'd been to each 3 times, I had to think hard of when the last time I hiked any of these.  I figure it to be Graham on my birthday in 2004.  It also was the last time I hiked with Miss Margaret.  Oh, how I miss those 3500 club days!


While out walking I also realized this was the first time I've seen the ground on my way to these peaks.  All the other times there was snow on the ground.  In fact the one time I was here leading a club hike, the very wide trail to Balsam Lake (it'd be good for 4 wheeling) was barely negotiable as the trees were so far slouched over from an ice storm.  The last time I hiked with Miss Margaret we bushwacked from Doubletop in 3 to 4 feet of snow and I spotted a snowshoe hare on the summit of Graham.


Today would be much different.  Although I'm not a fan of summer hiking, the lack of humidity with a nice breeze made this a great choice.  The forest seemed so alive.  And without mosquitoes!  There were plenty of flowers blooming all along the trail.  Numerous butterflies also made there way to the summit of Balsam Lake.  From here, there were few signs of civilization.  Then again it is fairly remote.  The views east provided up close shots of 3500 peaks Balsam, Eagle, Graham and Doubletop.  Slide and Table could also be made out.  To the west Millbrook Ridge and Alder Lake were in view.  To the south there were hills upon hills looking into Sullivan county.  And north Hunter and the Devil's Path peaks lay in the distance.  


After chatting with John from Long Island, I headed down in hopes of finding the trail to Graham.  Graham is one of those peaks considered "trailless".  It's not.  An unmaintained trail leads to its summit.  The trail is mostly an old logging road.  Surprisingly, it was not completely overgrown and I spotted it quite easily.  Despite all the lush vegetation, the trail was easy to follow the entire way.  I should have pulled out my camera and recorded some video just for the sounds.  Tons of birds chirping along with many different critters moving about.  It may actually be a harsh life, but I'd like to be a bird.  


A good, tough climb eventually led to Graham's summit.  An old building that housed a radio station greets the tired and weary hiker.  Not sure how long ago the abandoned building operated.  Today I took advantage of the weather and lack of snow and climbed about the structure.  This made up for the lack of views.  From this vantage point you get some of the best Catskill views.  Barely any signs of civilization, you also get great views of Wittenburg, Cornell and Slide.  One of the best views of Slide that I've seen.  In the distance, the distinct peaks of the Devil's Path rise up.  I could also make out the tri-peaks of the Blackhead range.  To the west, the pretty farmland of the Dry Brook valley provides nice scenery.  


When all was said and done, I traveled at least 9 miles.  I consider this my first real hike in the Hudson Valley of the year.  It felt great to be out and it was totally unplanned.   


Here's some video.