Fawn's Leap

Looking up the Kaaterskill

It got warm today, so I had to be careful where I stepped

A massive pile of snow and ice

Fawn's Leap bows to Mother Nature

It's simply amazing that a waterfall such as Fawn's Leap can actually freeze.  When I've seen this waterfall in action, it roars with such ferocity, you'd think it could handle any frost that comes its way.  You would be wrong.  Just like the other waterfalls I have seen, it is mostly a giant pile of snow and ice.  No cliff jumpers on this day!

Kaaterskill Falls

Kaaterskill Falls

Lots of ice on the way up

Ice formations near the top of the falls

I could never get this view in the summer

I had to constantly look up and make sure I was not under one of these

Huge mound of snow accumulating at the bottom

Some blue ice above

The upper falls

The lower falls

Some more blue ice

A frozen Kaaterskill Falls

Route 23A and the start of the trail from Bastion Falls

The upper section of Bastion Falls

Roundtop and a new avalanche from some of the storms we've had 

Bastion Falls

Due to the warm weather we are experiencing, this may be the last chance I have to check out the waterfalls in a frozen state.

Today I went to check out Kaaterskill Falls.  I do not believe I have ever seen this waterfall frozen in either a picture or in real life.  Saturday morning, when it was ridiculously cold, I saw that it was quite frozen.  Today there would be a bit more water flowing down, but the Falls were still quite frozen.

I took advantage of this.  I walked around on the bottom of the lower falls.  When the falls are flowing, this is an impossibility, as the water is too dangerous.  Today, the bottom of these falls was one giant mound of snow.  I had keep from kicking myself.  I couldn't help but be amazed at this sight.

There was no going up to the bottom of the upper falls as I only had Stabilicers.  I think crampons are a necessity if one is to venture up there.  On the way back, I walked all over Bastion Falls.  Many days in the past, I have viewed Bastion Falls from the road, thinking it would overflow onto the road and take out the bridge.  Just like the other waterfalls, Bastion had been tamed by the previous cold weather.  Again, I walked all around on the waterfall in amazement.  

Sunset

I've seen better

The pond near the entrance

Still worth the effort

The sunset looked promising, but unfortunately was not spectacular.  I still haven't quite figured out when it's going to be great.  My guess, is that I should have gotten up this morning for the sunrise.

Burger Hill

The sunset wasn't bad

Big Bad Burger Hill

Too many clouds for a spectacular sunset

The Catskills: Overlook and Kaaterskill High Peak

The Moon.  After a bitterly cold wait!

I braved the bitter cold for a second time today.  This time though, I really felt the sting.  My friend Pat was a real trooper wearing just a sweatshirt and no gloves.  Crazy.  Unfortunately for us, the moon rose above the clouds more than 20 minutes past.  Though when it did, the moon was impressive as always.  Watching the full moon rise above the horizon has to be one of nature's great spectacles.  

Plattekill Falls

Plattekill Falls

Looking down stream

Amazing how these things freeze over

Must be interesting watching these things break apart.  I could hear quite a bit of cracking sounds.

This is the start/end of the trail to the base of the falls

A frozen brook just off Platte Clove Road

Lots of ice formations

No driving down Platte Clove Road today

After the real cold spell we had, I thought it'd be a great day to check out some of the waterfalls in the area.  I first stopped at Kaaterskill Falls (quite naturally) but my camera batteries died and I only carried the one in.  This was quite disappointing, since the waterfall was almost fully frozen.  It was just an amazing sight.  The walk to the falls, usually quite easy, was quite tricky.  I wore stabilicers, but I wish I had brought some poles.

Disappointed my camera died, I headed to the top of Platte Clove Road to check out Plattekill Falls.  I have been back to Plattekill Clove many times, but I have not been to Plattekill Falls since the first time I ventured all the way up the clove.  These falls are the highest major waterfall in the clove.  Arguably the most visually appealing waterfall in the Plattekill, it plunges 70 feet in one of the narrowest sections of the gorge.

Surprisingly, the trail down was not too difficult.  Also to my surprise, I could not walk out to the bottom of the falls.  Apparently enough sunlight comes in to have kept the Plattekill from fully freezing.  I could walk to the bottom of the lower falls of Kaaterskill.  Although I prefer my waterfalls flowing with water, there is something quite special about them when they are frozen.  I couldn't help but be impressed with the massive build up of ice at the bottom of the falls.  Along the sided of the waterfalls, there are large icicles formed from the rocks.  It's a beautiful winter wonderland!!!

Harriman State Park

VPO loves the winter!

Poor visibility all day

Only a few feet ahead and I'm losing VPo

The work of the MC

What does VPo see?

Awe inspiring

Show the love

This is as good as the views got all day

Disappearing into the fog

I'd like to know what the "The Long Brown Path" is

The VPo Man showed off some of his stellar navigation skills.  Despite the fog, VPo found an old hang out and a beech tree that he is very fond of.

This walk will be memorable for two things: the immense fog that surrounded us and the car that nearly took us out.  I don't ever recall an entire day that was as foggy as today.  Visibility was about 100 feet.  This was not enough to deny the VPo man.

After we crossed the stream (which was a bit tricky, here's some video), the bushwacking began.  VPo did this without a compass.  It was all instinct.  We actually came upon the MC's and VPo's hangout spot perfectly, but the snow covered the woodpile and bench.  We wondered for a bit before VPo sniffed it out.

VPo got a bit cocky upon finding his old spot.  He then decided to find the old beech tree.  After a little misdirection, we eventually came upon the beech tree.  I can understand his fondness.  It's not everyday you see such a large beech tree.  You cannot help but be in awe as you look straight up the tree as it reaches for the sky.

Walking out we missed our footprints so we headed a bit too far east.  We walked out to Route 6.  Not very wisely we walked on the right side of the road.  Paranoid of this, I looked back and to my surprise a car was coming straight toward us occupying the entire shoulder.  We both jumped all the way over.  The car brushed up against me.  I was shocked one of the mirrors did not hit me.  Some way to end the day!

Highland Lakes State Park

Despite recent thaw, still fairly frozen

The VPo Man checking out Lake #2

The snow may not be around much longer

VPo negotiating the water and ice

At just over 3,000 acres, Highland Lakes State Park provides a nice break from the suburban sprawl that is Middletown, NY.  It's hard to believe that such a park exists so close to the madness.

The VPo Man and I took a short stroll through the woods here.  Apparently it's a popular spot for horseback riding.  We passed three such individuals.  Two women that we met sometimes go camping with their horses.  I thought that was pretty hardcore.

This park also appears to attract snow mobiles.  Fortunately none of those obnoxiously loud, gas fuming machines were encountered.  Although we did not know where we were going, we did an out and back route that brought us to a couple man made lakes.  We debated to ourselves for a bit whether or not the second lake was the first lake.  We both decided it had to be a different lake.