On Friday I hadn't been out hiking since the Santanonis in March. A perfect Bluebird day with a late start of 10:00 a.m. to 2:30. Spruceton Road up the horse trail and down the other Trail passing Geiger point and down to Diamond Notch Falls. Hung at the fire tower of picnic table for a bit. Two lean twos and a few viewpoints.
Not sure where everyone stands on the viewpoints but I have to say they are growing in bad. I know it's the summer time and things are full. But when I started hiking 15 years ago, geiger point was way more open. Also the Viewpoint up by Hunter Mountain after you hit the fire tower is completely grown in. I know there are purists, but I say the Rangers should cut the trees at those viewpoints and open them up. Look the Catskills are not bald mountain tops. And I also understand that not every Mountain has to have a viewpoint. But they are nice and they are far and few between.
So if it was a Viewpoint 10 years ago and now it's basically not, I say they should have Rangers or certified people come in and do it and give people something to look at.
We had a great day and West Kill Brewery on the way out. Wendy's in Kingston or somewhere. A great weather day for the summer, considering all the heat we've had. Man not many posts to read on this forum these days....