First-person account of a challenging traverse of three Sawtooth peaks (8, 7, and 1) with difficult bushwhacking between peaks 7 and 1 taking 3 hours to cover approximately one mile. Woods conditions have become more overgrown and chaotic in the 11 years since the author last hiked the traverse, with increased blowdown and loss of views from the summits.
First-person hike on Table, Peekamoose, and Lone on March 28, 2026, with crusty supportive snow and ice in shaded areas. Route-finding was challenging on the descent to Lone due to remaining snowpack obscuring the trail, requiring GPS and compass navigation. The return route from Lone down to the Neversink was also faint with intermittent snow cover and fallen leaves obscuring the path.
Comprehensive evergreen guide to Catskill Park hiking covering trail conditions, seasonal weather, camping rules, and hiking challenges. Highlights that trails are steeper and rockier than their elevations suggest, with winter ice on ledges requiring microspikes or crampons; spring and fall bring variable conditions at higher elevations.
A solo winter hike attempting Sawteeth that turned back near the summit due to deep snow (4–5 feet), obscured trail corridor, blowdowns, and challenging route-finding in low visibility. Snow conditions remained stable with no ice, but trail markers and routing became difficult to follow above the col.
A two-day backpacking trip over Santanoni, Couchsachraga, and Panther in the ADK, with muddy and wet conditions throughout. The Santanoni Brook trail featured slippery rocks and rotting log infrastructure; the Couchsachraga bog proved manageable with good log placement, and the descent of Panther Brook was challenging via water and boulders.
New Year's Eve hike on Blackhead from Storks Nest Road with snow coverage approximately halfway up; microspikes required for the upper portion; trail to Dutcher Notch in poor condition.
A guide to the Nazgûl Loop, a custom bushwhack route combining three Catskill peaks near Hodge Pond with sections of maintained trail, old woods roads, and off-trail navigation through unique terrain including stunning boardwalks, a narrow ridge, and lightning-struck trees.
The Huckleberry Loop is a remote 13-mile Catskill loop trail with 2,700 feet of elevation gain, featuring minimal technical difficulty but significant navigation challenges due to poor maintenance and blowdown. The trail includes diverse terrain across meadows, old-growth forest, spruce plantations, and historical ruins with extreme solitude but no high peaks or dramatic views.
Kaaterskill High Peak via Hurricane Ledge is a long lollipop route from Platte Clove featuring wet trails, deep mud on lower slopes, and a steep, tricky ledge climb. The route includes old woods roads, boardwalks, bushwhack sections, and historical sites. Winter ascents of Hurricane Ledge are extremely dangerous due to icy conditions and cliff exposure.</summary>
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Trail guide to Inspiration Point in Kaaterskill Clove, featuring multiple scenic ledges and lookouts with dramatic cliff views. The main trail from Scutt Road parking is described as mostly easy with relatively flat terrain and some rugged spots, offering excellent vistas of Kaaterskill High Peak and surrounding landscape.
Trip to Baxter State Park in Maine (Feb 27 - Mar 2, 2022) beginning with ski/hiking approach from Abol Bridge to Kidney Pond. Group packed trail and narrow route around Foss and Knowlton Pond; had to extend hike via park roads due to Nesowadnehunk Stream not being completely frozen. Weather forecast led to plan adjustments for Katahdin and North Brother summits.
A winter hike of nine Catskill peaks on January 26, 2022, in very cold conditions (-10 to -15°F). The hiker used snowshoes and found good trail conditions on Slide but faced challenging navigation through thick evergreens; later sections had mixed snowshoe coverage and required significant trail-breaking, particularly in the descent off Table toward Denning.
Richmond Mountain and Richtmyer Peak are quiet, infrequently-used peaks in the northern Catskills accessed via the overgrown Long Path, with sparse and non-reflective trail blazing that requires daytime navigation. A scenic viewpoint overlooks the Blackhead Range from a herd path spur about a quarter mile from the col between the two mountains.
A detailed evergreen route guide for Mill Brook Ridge via Kelly Hollow, describing the easy trail through Kelly Hollow paired with a steep bushwhack ascent to the summit, plus observations from a winter hike with snow and cold conditions (14°F).
A detailed evergreen trail guide describing the Hunter Mountain loop route via Spruceton and Devil's Path trails, including terrain characteristics, muddy sections, boggy areas, and route-finding notes. The author includes a first-person account of a Labor Day sunrise hike with specific observations about trail conditions and landmarks.
Detailed route guide for the Sugarloaf clockwise loop via Dibbles Quarry and Mink Hollow. The west side descent features loose, shattered boulders and is exceptionally wet with slippery rocks; the author notes that in winter this side becomes icy ("Suicide Mountain") and requires crampons. Spring conditions include boggy ridges with mud patches on the east side approach.