M&M of the forums finished her Cats Hundred highest Public Access Peaks yesterday with a hike to Woodpecker Ridge 3435', located in the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest. Balsam Lake Mt. and Millbrook Ridge were also visited. A foggy, damp cold start, windy enough to keep the bugs at bay. Woodpecker is typical of the peaks in this area, beech, yellow birch, cherry open forest, with bogs, ferns and open spaces. We used the Balsam Lake to Alder Lake trail, with a short walk-through open woods to the true summit.It can also be hiked from the Beaverkill Rd.
This challenge is a variation of the CHH list, substituting several 200 CHH for private peaks on the 100 list. This eliminates backyard bushwacking, removes the temptation to trespass, or to annoy landowners, giving all an equal footing. Many of these peaks see few visitors and are still pristine. It is one of the few hiking challenges that has a service requirement of 2 days, which equates to 10 minutes given back for each peak hiked, so it is not very popular.