Link to photos:
https://imgur.com/a/ZSQKuuA
On Sunday, 10/9 did the loop clockwise to Rusk, E Rusk, Hunter & SW Hunter with
ValleyGirlHikes
. Conditions were mostly dry, with 2 very muddy spots in the usual place on the Devil's Path northwest of the SWH herd path. The spring just below the John Robb lean-to was flowing hard, like someone left the faucet running!
Arrived the night before, got the last open site at the Allaben primitive camping area. On Sunday, parked at the Diamond Notch-Westkill lot, which had 3 other cars when we arrived around 7:45am. Started walking just after 8am. The Spruceton lot was about half full when we passed.
From the Spruceton trail, we easily found the herd path to Rusk at the hairpin turn, went straight up to the summit (and I mean STRAIGHT up, not the gradual bushwhack I used to do). Set a compass bearing for East Rusk to make sure we started in the right direction . Quickly picked up the herd path, was fairly easy to follow all the way to the top. A beautiful area of woods with soft pine duff underfoot. Saw no one until we met Matthew M. coming from Hunter as we were going SE. He was working on an FKT record for the Catskills high peaks-good luck! Soon after, we got distracted and lost the herd path so started a true bushwhack down to the marked trail, which we hit around 11:20am.
Climbed up to Hunter while lots of people and dogs were coming down. Had a quick lunch while sheltering from the wind and watching the line of people waiting to climb the fire tower. The DP side was much less crowded. Continued down to Devil's Acre lean-to then over the herd path to SWH and back. Stopped briefly to enjoy the view from Geiger Point before the final descent. That rocky section between Geiger and Diamond Notch Falls never gets easier on the feet, no matter how many times I try. Legs felt a bit tired but we made it with no problem. Enjoyed the walk along the West Kill and out to the car at 4:20pm. Passed by several cars parked along the road at the Spruceton lot.
A lovely day of hiking, with a good mix of steep and moderate terrain. Took a few more breaks than planned, chatted with lots of people about bushwhacking. Overall, an excellent day!
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