Black Dome

Originally I had intended to redo all the 3500 Club peaks within the year.  Since I did not get out at all this past winter, my plan now is to complete them by the end of February.  This way I get to capture these mountains at all times of the year.

Blackhead and Black Dome

Today I played it safe and hiked up to North Dome.  Although Spring is starting to settle in nicely down in the valleys, winter is still putting up a fight in the mountains.  Snow is clearly visible on the summits from my home.  In fact, there was enough snow in the parking lot for my vehicle to get stuck in.  Fortunately when I returned from the hike, somebody was kind enough to help me out.

Despite the wind, the 50 degree temps were quite welcoming.  Though this would be a problem on the steeper sections of the climb.  I generated quite a bit of heat, but did not want to take my jacket off and wear only short sleeves.  So I started to do what mountaineers do: walk slower.

The first half mile of the hike was quite undecided about spring or winter.  Some sections were quite muddy and others were packed with snow and ice.  Some of the woods had snow, some parts did not.  The Batavia Kill was quite decidedly in spring.  I don't believe I have ever seen this stream roaring like it was today.

Winter

Spring

Winter and Spring

The ascent up to Black Dome from the end of Big Hollow Road is a little over two miles.  I wore stabilicers the whole way.  I post holed a few times, but not enough to slow me down much.  Surprisingly, I made pretty good time.  I reached the summit in about a half hour.

Black Dome

Plenty of snow to post hole

From the col of Blackhead and Black Dome

The summit allows for some great views of the Devil's Path.  Though the views toward Hunter are somewhat obstructed.  This is a shame, because this would truly be one of the best views in the Catskills if it allowed a more westerly view.  Still, Black Dome provides some great views on the ascent.  From here, one can see some of the Devil's Path peaks, a close up view of Blackhead, Burnt Knob and Acra, the Hudson River Valley north of Catskill and Hudson, and views all the way to Albany.

Blackhead

The Escarpment: Burnt Knob and Acra

Summit of Black Dome

Kaaterskill High Peak and the eastern peaks of the Devil's Path

The walk down was great.  This is what a miss so much about hiking in the winter.  Though I'd rather have snow shoes in fluffy snow, the descent today over a packed trail seemed effortless.  I made it down in less than an hour and ran at times to avoid post holing.  Though this didn't always work as planned.  All in all a beautiful day to be out.

Lots of reddish clay type of dirt found here