Grandfather Mountain

Attic Window and McRae Peaks

Another of the great mountains of the east along with Mitchell, Washington and Katahdin.  The main route requires a class 3 scramble with a bit of exposure.  This is quite unusual for a mountain this far south.  The southern Appalachians are some of the oldest mountains in the world and are rounded quite gently.

Grandfather Mountain is located in a private park.  A $20 dollar fee gets you in.  This is not a Chris Hiker kind of park with its 5 pm cut off time for the use of trails.  I arrived at 2:30 pm and started my ascent at 2:45 pm.  With 2.5 miles to the summit, I would be pressed for time.

Chris Hiker is not a fan of time restrictions

I'm in good company

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you get a glimpse of Grandfather's ruggedness.  It's two lower peaks, McRae and Attic Window (great name), are where the action is.  Class 3 scrambling with a bit of exposure and some aid from cables and ladders gets one up and over these splendid, rocky pinnacles.

McRae Peak

One of many ladders along the way

Steep and rocky

The suspension bridge near the parking area

Table Rock

Mt Mitchell and the Black Mts

A ladder on the undercliff trail which I would use on the way back

Attic Window Peak

Once past these two impressive peaks, the walk is through a beautiful pine forest.  Upon reaching the summit area, the going gets a little tougher with a slight bit of scrambling.  The main summit has some nice views, but its anti climactic compared to McRae and Attic Window.  I reached the summit at 4pm and made it back to my car a little after 5 pm.  There were still quite a bit of people behind me, so I guess it's often that many don't obey the rules or just completely misjudge their pace.

Calloway Peak which happens to be the summit

Attic Window Peak under a late afternoon sun

       

Mornings With Chris Hiker (Mt Mitchell)

The highest mountain east of the Mississippi, Mt Mitchell is one of the great mountains of the east.  I made a quick jaunt from Nashville since the weather appeared it would cooperate.

Mt Mitchell is quite accessible from Asheville, NC.  Located about 30 miles north along the Blue Ridge Parkway, it's also one of the great drives in the United States.  One can drive the 4 mile road to its summit.  I drove about 2 miles, then hiked 2 miles of the Old Mt Mitchell Trail to the summit.
 

Unlike the great mountains of the northeast and despite its lofty height, Mt Mitchell is not above treeline.  A tower used to exist, but their is a viewing platform which provides views in every direction.

Mt Craig

Despite not knowing the region, the views were outstanding.  Mountains in every direction.  Grandfather Mountain to the north.  The Smokies to the west.  The Blue Ridge Mountains continuing to the south.  One did feel they might be on top of the entire east coast!

Grandfather

Table Rock.  Interesting formation.  

Endless mountain scenery

Mornings With Chris Hiker (Artist Falls)

I wanted to cry when I saw the sorry state this waterfall was in.  To call it a trickle would be an exaggeration.  The recent rains were not enough to save this beautiful waterfall.  Still, the continuous changes are what make waterfalls so great.  Maybe this year I will catch it fully frozen.

Mornings With Chris Hiker (Huckleberry Point)

I decided to come back up to the platte clove area for a short autumn walk to huckleberry point.  I have been here once or twice previously and recalled it's a good spot for fall colors.

On the way up, I had to take quite a detour, as 23A was closed.  I would also have to go all the way to Windham to get back to Catskill.  I will do my research next time I decide to make it this way.  I would have to imagine it will be open come ski season.

The colors did not disappoint.  Although they were not as bright as previous years, there were many colors.  The yellows were especially bright.  It took roughly a half hour up and a half hour back down.  No doubt, this is one of the finer one hour walks in the Catskills.

Indian Head

Hudson Valley

Devils Path Range

Mornings With Chris Hiker (Indian Head)

Indian Head from Platte Clove Road

Due my lack of getting out and my current work schedule, I have decided to try to get out once a week in the morning.  It's a great way to start the day.  It makes an evening at work go by quickly.

Of all the mountains in the Catskills, Indian Head may be my favorite.  It's relatively close proximity, short hike distance and spectacular views make it a great destination for a before work hike.

To make things easy, I camped out in my car.  I got off to a later than expected start of 9am.  I made things worse by missing the trail.  I forgot the Long Path is picked up in the same spot as Plattekill Falls.

The first mile of the walk is through the Platte Clove Preserve.  There are many interpretive signs of the various trees and plants that are found in the forest.  There is a healthy mix of evergreens and hardwoods.  While walking through this bit of trail, I was reminded of the first time I hiked up Indian Head with my friend Ross.  This trail did not exist then and we walked out in the dark without headlamps.  We lost the Devils Path and found our way out by following a stream bed to Platte Clove Road which parallels this trail.

After about 20 minutes of walking, I reached the junction of the Devils Path.  From here the climbing begins.  Most of the 1,500 feet elevation gain is on this 2 mile stretch of trail.  It's a typical Catskill trail: rocky, plenty of scrambling and with not much relief from the lung busting climbing.

On the way up I met a couple backpackers and a guy from the D.C. area who planned to day hike the entire Devils Path over the long weekend.  He recently completed the Long Trail in Vermont.  We had a nice, short conversation of the many places we've been to and shared some of our experiences.

Indian Head has three really great view points.  The first view provides a great view to the east of the Hudson River, Platte Clove and what may be the single best view of Kaaterskill High Peak.  Taken together with its neighbor Round Top, it looks like an airplane.

Kaaterskill High Peak and Bruderhof Community.  God's country.

Fog still on the Hudson River

The next view comes on its false summit.  From here the Burroughs Range is dominant.  Peekamoose, Table and Slide are all visible.  From here, Cooper Lake, Kingston's primary source of water, is visible.  Though I could not make out the fact that it's 20% below normal.  From Wittenburgh, it's quite obvious if the Ashokan Reservoir is below normal.

I did not continue to the summit.  My final destination would be the last view point.  After a great, steep scramble, one is rewarded with a great view of the Hudson Valley and Plattekill and Overlook Mountains.  It's a great spot to turn around after taking in the gorgeous autumn views.
 

Overlook

Ashokan Reservoir

 
 

Ferncliff Forest

Though I have finally started to do some real hiking, it's all been in the Adirondacks.  I have been neglecting the Hudson Valley.  Today's hike was short and sweet, but in the Hudson Valley.  I hope to make a concerted effort to get out.  There is almost no better time than the month of October.