Gallery

Please enjoy this mix of my latest images from the Catskills, Taconics and Adirondacks.

Ledge on Fir Mountain’s southwestern ridge at 31

Ledge on Fir Mountain’s southwestern ridge at 3150’ #TotalCatskills

Biscuit Brook, Denning, NY #TotalCatskills

Biscuit Brook, Denning, NY #TotalCatskills

A forest of snow-laden fir trees on the aptly-name

A forest of snow-laden fir trees on the aptly-named Fir Mountain #TotalCatskills

Winter drainage coming down off Fir Mountain about

Winter drainage coming down off Fir Mountain about to feed into Biscuit Brook #TotalCatskills

Trunk life FML-style: fungus, moss, lichen

Trunk life FML-style: fungus, moss, lichen

Some hikers I met on the way down from Big Indian.

Some hikers I met on the way down from Big Indian. They had been out to South Doubletop and described it as a long, tough hike. I’d heard the same thing from another group earlier in the day. These two guys had started hiking in from Biscuit Brook at 8:00 and were back at the parking area a few mins after me, around 5:15 or so. So South Doubletop is a long, tough day.

1 mountain / 3 forests

1 mountain / 3 forests

I navigated by compass for the first time today. I

I navigated by compass for the first time today. It was so easy! This is the bearing I set from my jump-off point beside Biscuit Brook to head up Fir Mountain. I didn’t have to tweak it until I got to the summit. I don’t know why I was intimidated to try this before. It’s super easy and way more fun than checking my phone. 🏔 Would you read a blog post about how to navigate by compass?

There was such a big group at the summit of Fir to

There was such a big group at the summit of Fir today that I didn’t linger to take a photo. This is Big Indian’s canister. // Winter hiking seems to be very popular this year. The parking lots for Giant Ledge and Slide Mountain were full or almost full as I passed by this morning. I got the last spot at Biscuit Brook around 9:00 am.

North side of Fir Mountain

North side of Fir Mountain

Good day! Bushwhacked up Fir by compass and then t

Good day! Bushwhacked up Fir by compass and then took the snowshoe trail express over to Big Indian. My legs felt that hike.

Norway Spruce stand in Kelly Hollow (Jan 2020)

Norway Spruce stand in Kelly Hollow (Jan 2020)

Frost flowers in Kelly Hollow (Jan 2020)

Frost flowers in Kelly Hollow (Jan 2020)

I noticed four hemlock trees growing very close to

I noticed four hemlock trees growing very close together, each a different age. The first image shows classic mature hemlock bark. The second pic, I dunno, looks weird to me as I’ve never seen it like that before; definitely a hemlock tree though. (Maybe @the.dendro.lab knows?) Pics 3 and 4 show progressively younger trunks/bark.

Round Top & Kaaterskill High Peak, with Sugarloaf

Round Top & Kaaterskill High Peak, with Sugarloaf on the right, as seen from Plateau’s eastern lookout. (Jan 2020.)

Plateau’s ridge is two miles of this goodness. (

Plateau’s ridge is two miles of this goodness. (Jan 2020)

The viewing platform above Kaaterskill Falls is su

The viewing platform above Kaaterskill Falls is superb (but very busy). I hiked in from Haines Falls which makes for a short, super-easy hike. It’s perfect for cross-country skiing or easy snow-showing. Full report now on website. Link in bio.

Dry Brook (Dec 2019)

Dry Brook (Dec 2019)

Waterfall on Dry Brook (Dec 2019)

Waterfall on Dry Brook (Dec 2019)

Doubletop & Graham Closed to Hiking For Good. The

Doubletop & Graham Closed to Hiking For Good.

The canister on Doubletop has been removed. Trespassers on either mountain will be prosecuted.

So long Graham and Doubletop. Some of us barely knew ya.

The land owners were generous and patient for many years. I understand their decision.

From previous things I’ve heard, I believe it’s because people were trashing the land, not asking for permission, etc. Very sad.

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