Thomas Cole

Thomas Cole is to the right

When I filled out the form for the Catskill 3500 Club upon completion, one is asked their favorite and least favorite peaks.  When finishing the winter ascents, I listed Thomas Cole.

Thomas Cole is part of the BlackHead Range.  Other than the two 4,000 foot peaks, the summits of Blackhead, Black Dome and Thomas Cole are the highest in the Catskills.  They make up what many call the Tri-Peaks and they form one of the most distinctive features in the Catskills.  I'm not sure if Thomas Cole ever climbed his namesake, but I'm sure some of his paintings have the Tri-Peaks in them.

I decided to do my own art:

Most people make the ascent of Thomas Cole from Black Dome.  Today I would walk from Barnum Road which is west of the summit.  On a cloudy, windy, rainy day, this made for a great walk.  This also makes for a great Autumn walk.  Though for much of the walk the area appears past peak foliage, there were still plenty of great fall colors.

Fall colors and some mist

From Barnum Road, the BlackHead Range Trail ascends almost 2,000 feet over 3 miles.  There are two knobs to go over before reaching Thomas Cole.  The trail runs exclusively through a hardwood forest right up until reaching near the summit of Thomas Cole where it's all evergreen.  One really feels the temperature drop once near the summit.

Leaves already covered the trail

The rain and leaves makes for a slippery walk

I stood here watching the mist move in

There are still some to be found

Lots of bare trees

Although I'm like most people in that I like to get out when the weather is cooperative, this walk reminded me how much I enjoy getting out in poor conditions.  There were a couple view points on the approach that only allowed for maybe 10 feet visibility.  But the rest of the walk would be a pleasure.  There would be no overheating.  Watching the mist roll in and out was pure joy.  Listening to the wind ruffle the trees has always been one of my favorite sounds.

Summit of Thomas Cole

Amazing color