Rusk Mt Via Evergreen

Rusk Mt is the site of many firsts for me.  Rusk was the first 3500 Club Peak I climbed in winter.  The first 3500 Club hike I led was on Rusk.  It was the first time I lost someone on a hike.  I met my friend and many time hiking companion, VPo for the first time on Rusk.  It was the first bushwack I did solo.  So it would make sense that the first canister I would visit since doing this blog would be Rusk.

I counted at least seven other previous ascents of this mountain, by far the most for bushwacks in the Catskills.  Most of the ascents were a result of me leaving the notebook outside the register.  It of course rained a lot, making it impossible to sign the register.  I made a few trips to dry it out and replace the notebook.

Despite all of those ascents, each time I took the same route to its summit.  From the parking lot at the end of Spruceton Road, the bearing is a convenient 0 degrees to the summit.  This actually is not the standard route.  Most people walk up the trail to the first bend.  They ascend to the col between East Rusk and Rusk and then head for the summit.  I had never gone this route and I still didn't plan to.  The route I had planned to take would be approached from the west.

Rusk 

It's been many years since I thought up this route.  It's very doable, since it's all on state land.  From the trailhead for the start of the Devil's Path, there is a sliver of state land across the street.  The bearing from here to Evergreen, keeps you on state land if you maintain that bearing.  The ascent to Evergreen is mostly a walk through open woods, but there were plenty of thicker bushes along the way.  This is a reminder why I mostly hike in the fall and winter.  Within five minutes a thorn stuck me good in my thumb.

Evergreen

Open woods.  I followed that rock wall for a while

When it was easy

Again, when it was easy

North Dome and Sherrill from near the summit of Evergreen

I reached the summit of Evergreen in about an hour.  No views here except through the trees.  In another couple weeks there will be zero.  It's a shame, because this mountain provides close up  views of North Dome and Sherrill.  I don't recall ever seeing both mountains.  Also from here (also through the trees), I could view all the mountains that make the Spruceton Valley:  Rusk, Hunter and SW Hunter to the east;  Westkill, North Dome and Sherrill to the south.

From here the going got tough.  It's a two to three mile ridge to Rusk.  I encountered some more areas of thicker bushes.  Despite the heat, I was happy to be wearing jeans.  They protected well against these bushes.  After about an hour, I thought I was on the summit.  Then to my surprise, I see a very steep incline.  Though, this provided some great views of North Dome, Sherrill and Halcott.

I avoided this patch, but not all.

Some lovely benches along the way.  It's Spring.

North Dome, Sherrill and Halcott from near the summit of Rusk

The walk continued to deceive me.  At one point, I started thinking that maybe there were no more canisters.  I thought about the last time I had been to one of these mountains and it's been over seven years.  But after a couple more areas of thicker bushes and some thick evergreen patches, I spotted the summit canister.  It took about two and a half hours when it normally takes an hour. It's always a great feeling finding these things.  I took a look through the register.  It's funny to see that there are not many in the book with 3500 Club numbers less than mine.  I guess I'm an old timer now.

After having a snack and drink (and a selfie, "that seems to be the big thing in America now") I had a choice of two herd paths.  I chose the one more frequently followed.  Herd paths in the Catskills are quite a bit more difficult to follow compared to the Adirondacks.  In fact I eventually lost it.  I ended up making it to the summit of East Rusk, where I began my descent to the trail.  I encountered quite a bit of blowdown.  This surprised me.  The going was tough (not nearly as tough as the stuff on MacNaughton), but still, I went for a few stretches where my feet did not touch the ground.

Eventually, I found my way into the open forest that Rusk is known for.  The last stretch of woods were smooth sailing and the trail was found quite easily.  I also hit the trail near where I wanted.  That was pure luck.  On the way out, I had a 4 mile walk along the road.  One of the guys who lives on the road stopped and asked me if I were alright.  He then told me that Spruceton is the best valley in NY.  I told him I agreed and that the first time here I thought this would be a great place to live.

The shade was quite welcome

Rusk

On the way up, I noticed snow still on the slopes of Windham