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| 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.
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| Autumn is here |
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| 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.
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| It's strenuous |
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| 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.
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| Windham High Peak and the Blackhead Range |
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| 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.
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| Westkill Summit |
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| Rusk Mt and the Spruceton Valley |
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| A creative way to mark the trail!!! |
The few times I ascended Westkill, I started from Diamond Notch. The way you went sounds interesting. Westkill is one of my favorites. It feels a bit lonely, a bit isolated, standing slightly off to the side from the rest of it all. But it’s a place that holds wonderful secrets in the wisdom of solitude and its quiet beauty. I remember the ascent feeling long, like the up just didn’t stop.
ReplyDeleteThe Catskills were my lover for a while. But our separation and the workings of time have conspired to dull the memory of our intercourse. Seeing your pictures, a fire is rekindled, and I once again feel the desire to be intimate with my old lover.