Windham High Peak

This is part 3 of 35 of my series of the Catskill 3500 Club peaks.  Along with Hunter this is by far the most accessible of the peaks.  The trailhead for the Escarpment Trail is located right on Route 23 about 3 miles east of the Village of Windham and about 10 miles west of Cairo.

The first mile starts off simple enough.  The trail is fairly level with some gradual climbs and not too many rocks.  Lots of hardwoods here, so it's a pretty stroll this time of year.  Though peak foliage should be next week.  About a quarter mile before one reaches the shelter, the trail steepens a bit with a few switchbacks.  This is a great spot to just chill a bit before the steep 2 miles to the summit.

From the shelter, the climb up to Windham gets a bit more serious, but still one of the easier ascents among the high peaks of the Catskills.  The trail climbs relentlessly, but no scrambling is ever necessary.  There is one fairly steep section about a quarter mile before the summit, but I have to agree with my friend that the climb up to Windham is the most runnable section of the Escarpmant Trail (except for the 1,700 feet elevation gained).

On a great day like today, the views are exceptional.  The first view point gives the exhausted hiker a close up view of the Blackhead Range.  It's one of the best views of these three peaks one will get in the Catskills.  Not too much further and there is a view north of the surrounding farmland.  Keep on hiking to the true summit just a bit further because the best view is found just below the summit.  This view also provides views to the north.  But it also allows for unobstructed views.  There are also some great views to the east.  From here one can see the Albany skyline, the City of Hudson and never ending farmland.

Blackhead, Black Dome and Thomas Cole

Albany in the distance and Greenville in foreground

Hudson

Restaurant and Route 23

Windham makes for a great introduction to the Catskills.  The elevation gained is typical of a Catskill high peak, but the trail is friendly and its location is easy to get to.  Also there's Cave Mountain Brewery in Windham where you can have the Hudson Valley's Best Burger and a Cluster F#@k IPA.    

Indian Head Catskill 3500

Indian Head from Platte Clove Road

Today I would be hiking to Indian Head with my friend Pat.  I have wanted to introduce him to a "real hike" for a while.  I figure that Indian Head is a perfect introduction to an average trail in the mountains.  Some may be longer, some may be steeper, some may require more scrambling and some may have some exposure, but Indian Head has a little of everything.

We parked at the top of Platte Clove Road and walked through the Platte Clove Preserve before reaching the Devil's Path.  The Platte Clove Reserve has some signs pointing out the different trees.  I should know my trees better.

We started out at a fairly brisk pace.  Pat was a real trooper as he kept up with me for quite a while.  After stopping for a break, I realized we needed to slow down a bit.  Pat is relatively new to hiking, so he does not know just yet what pace is comfortable for certain hikes.

We slowed the pace down and made it to the upper most view point in pretty good time.  So many great views along the way.  The first view point provides a great look of the Hudson River, Kaaterskill High Peak and the Platte Clove Community.  A former NYS Police camp, it's a wonderful setting, right at the base of Kaaterskill.  Every once in a while when I've hiked here, I will see men and women dressed in pants and dresses hiking up the trails.

Platte Clove and the Hudson River

Kaaterskill High Peak and the Bruderhof Community

 

The walk then started to level a bit and we reached the false summit.  From here there was a view I do not remember.  Views of the Ashokan Resevoir, Cooper Lake and the Central Catskills can be seen.  It's one of the few views of Slide I have seen where it's distinct features are not visible.

Cooper Lake and the Central Catskills

From here we went up what I consider the funnest part of the hike.  There is a very steep section just before the ledge.  For me, this makes Indian Head one of my favorite mountains.  Once up this steep section, one is rewarded with some of the greatest views in the Catskills.  The Hudson River, Ashokan Resevoir and Overlook are in view.  It's a great spot to just relax and have a lunch.  A flock of birds flying south were the only ones with a better view than us.

Devil's Path 101

Let the fun begin!

Pat doing some scrambling

Overlook

Ashokan Resevoir

Mohonk in the distance

The Buddhist Temple and Ashokan Resevoir

The scramble down

The walk out

      

Plattekill Falls

This has to be one of the most effortless hikes in the Catskills that produces one of the greatest rewards.  A short hike down from the top of Platte Clove Road leads to one of the best waterfalls in the Hudson Valley.

Westkill Mountain Catskill 3500 Club

The view from Buck Ridge Lookout

Located near Lexington, NY, Westkill Mountain rises north above the Spruceton Valley.  If I had lots of money, I would have a home on Spruceton Road.

A little over 12 years ago I started hiking the Catskill 3500 Club peaks.  It's how I got my start into hiking and really enjoying nature and the outdoors.  I recently reflected on how much I enjoyed hiking those mountains and the people I met along the way.  Since starting this blog, I have only been to a handful of the 3500 Club peaks and none of the off-trail peaks.  As long as I can put gas in my vehicle, I plan to do all 35 once again starting today with Westkill.  I look forward to this.      

Westkill forms the western section of the Devil's Path.  So many great hikes can be made from this area and some not so great (I'm looking at you SW Hunter).  It's been years since I have been down this road.  The weather has been so clear and crisp, I figured I would have to get out at some point.  Westkill would make a great late afternoon hike.

When parking at the end of Spruceton Road, Westkill is a 6 mile roundtrip walk with 1,500 feet elevation gained.  The walk starts off rather friendly.  So friendly, that I met an elderly woman walking with a cane.  It's a beautiful walk along a stream.  There are many places to stop and get a closer look.  The stream flows over some nice slabs of rock and their are many small waterfalls.

Autumn is here

A pretty cascade

From here the going gets tough once on the Devil's Path.  It's quite steep before you get onto the summit ridge.  Once on the ridge, the going is much easier except for the many false summits.  Finally after some huffing and puffing, the first view point is reached.

It's strenuous 

I wonder how many have used this as shelter

 

Buck Ridge Lookout provides some great view to the east.  From here Hunter, SW Hunter and Plateau dominate.  To the northeast, the Blackhead Range can be seen.  I found this to be a very unique view since I'm accustomed to viewing it from the north.  To the southeast, some of the remote mountains south of Plateau can be seen along with Mohonk.

Windham High Peak and the Blackhead Range

Hunter Mt

After a tenth of a mile more walking, the summit of Westkill is reached.  If I recall correctly, Westkill used to be the only 3500 Club Peak with a trail sign.  It's no longer there and instead, there is a large cairn marking the summit.  Just off the summit there is a view point with somewhat obstructed views of the Spruceton Valley.  It's too bad, because this would be one of the best in the Catskills.    

Westkill Summit

Rusk Mt and the Spruceton Valley

A creative way to mark the trail!!!

A Day in the Life of a History, Beer and Moon Junkie

Harvest Moon

Lake George is an area I need to visit more often.  So many people I know vacation there.  I went once as a child, but as an adult, I've mostly just passed through.  Once, I even went to go for a swim on New Year's Day.

Today I'd walk around in the village.  Lake George is definitely a summer place.  There were not too many people around and most of the shops appeared closed.  I stopped at the Adirondack Brewery and I had a Dunkleweisen.  As far as I know this would be the first beer I've had of this style.  It definitely did not taste like a hefeweisen.  It was much darker but still a very tasty beer.

Lake George has a history too

Some of the mountains that line Lake George's shore

A map of Lake George

From the brewery I headed up the mountain.  After crossing the pedestrian bridge that goes over the northway, the walk was just straight up with no breaks.  The ascent must have been a little over a thousand feet and a little over a mile.  Prospect Mountain also has its own road going up, the Prospect Mountain Parkway.  I crossed this a couple time on the way to the summit.

Pedestrian bridge over the Northway

Only one way: up

The views from Prospect were quite impressive.  Glens Falls could be made out from the views south.  Some hot air balloons were floating above.  There is a balloon festival this coming weekend.  The views east one can make out the village of Lake George and the lake itself.  I always forget how big Lake George is (over 30 miles long).  From here one can view how large it really is.  Though some of the view is obstructed through the trees.

Glens Falls.  Many balloons were out.

How they made the trip up one hundred years ago

We all have a history, Don't we?

Lake George and the Prospect Mt Parkway

Lake George at sunset

The high peaks

Well worth the trip to watch the moon rise

After just one day, I love this views and brews idea already.  I absolutely love trying new beer and checking out some new sites.

Full Moon rising over Lake George

Crossing this at night was a bit freaky.  I could see the car lights underneath and I had the feeling each step I took would be the last.