Catskills 3500: Devil's Path (Classic Route)

Today, Marc, Alex, and I hiked up four Catskill Peaks (Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf (Mink), and Plateau). When hikers attempt to summit all four in a hike, they travel along the trail called Devil's Path. Devil's Path extends beyond these four mountains to three additional mountains and 23-miles. For today's hike, we only did the "Classic Route" of about 12.4-miles. I can see why they call this "Devil's Path." It is supposedly the most difficult hiking trail in the East - there is little water, difficult scrambles, and sheer cliffs. And if done in the winter, there is ice, steep ascents and descents, and lots of scary moments.

Our ascent going up Indian Head (looking back)

Lots of Climbing Up & Down Things

So many up and down-hill climbs

Alex Crushin' It!

This hike really challenged me...hard, and pretty much hurt me to almost breaking me. Actually, it did break me. There was a lot of pain - physically and emotionally with this one. I had taped my knees, used trekking poles, and took pain killers. But these four peaks still broke me.

We started at the Steenburgh Road parking lot trailhead. After hiking and ascending 2.2 miles, we summitted Indian Head (3,573 ft). When we were ascending up to Indian Head, there was this one part where the trail literally went straight up, like 90 degrees. I wish I brought some mountaineering crampons instead of just my microspikes. Even a harness with some rope should have been brought. It was scary trying to climb my way up smooth, slippery ice. But we made it and my knees were just getting tired, but not in pain (yikes, and this was the first peak). 

After summitting, you descend down into Jimmy Nolan Notch, but only for a short moment, as you begin to ascend again up to Twin Peak (3,640-ft). There were a lot more intense ups and downs getting on and off this mountain. Before getting down, we run into our car switch team (my colleague, David, and his brother). When you hike this trail, it is best to involve two cars, so you do not have to hike back to your car to get home. We switched keys, told each other which car it was, and where we would meet up when we all finished to switch our cars back. 

You then descend into Pecoy Notch and then here comes Sugarloaf Mountain. I think we had lunch before or slightly after this mountain. Sugarloaf is about 3,800-ft. The decline from this mountain really started to trigger some pain in my left knee. I was not quite sure how I was going to finish this last mountain. We descended into Mink Hollow and then began our last ascent. The last ascent was the steepest ascent of them all. That is when Devil's Path broke me. I was trying to climb over a huge boulder thing and my knees just about had it. I literally cried from so much pain. I felt such defeat and embarrassment for my weakness. After a little bit of rest, I conjured the rest of the strength I had and got to the top of Plateau Mountain (3,840-ft). The other part about Plateau that also pushed my patience, its length. Hence its name, Plateau's top is long. When we finally got to the descent, our daylight was dwindling (we were already pushing 9+ hours of hiking) and had maybe 1-2 more hours of hiking to go. The descent was painful for my knees and I think the last mile I was pretty much sledding down the trail on my behind. But around 6 and 7pm, we finally made it to the other car (after starting around 8am). 

This was a hard hike for me and I definitely pushed myself to it. I am proud that I did the most challenging hike in the East and to do it in the winter. I am definitely not discouraged of continuing my trek to accomplish all the Catskill peaks. I think that I may not try and do four-peaks in a row again.

TheChristyBel

Hiking Lake Maratanza

Today, we explored Lake Maratanza of Sam's Point Preserve. Lake Maratanza is the most southern sky lake on the Shawangunk Ridge. It is about 2,245-feet above sea level, marking it as the highest sky lake on the Ridge. I had never been to this area of the ridge - as the Sam's Point Fire occurred here last April. As we hiked around the lake and back down to the Visitor Center, we were able to see the fire scar. It was remarkable to see one side of the trail untouched by the fire and the other side of the trail was burnt to a crisp. I am very excited to see the new growth that comes from this fire in this upcoming spring.

TheChristyBel

Lake Maratanza

Burnt Trees

One Side Burned, One Side Untouched

Catskills 3500: Eagle Mountain

Got a text from my friend, Alex, the other day with an invitation to go hiking up in the Catskills. She told there is a program called the 3500 Club. The 3500 Club is an organization that people can join where they can summit all of the peaks in the Catskill Park that are over 3,500 ft. For someone who loves to summit mountains and pose...this seemed like a great activity for me to get involved in. You can read more about this program here.

The 3500 Club: There are about 39 peaks in the Catskill Park that are over 3,500 feet. Many have actual trails that lead to them, however, there are a few that you have to bushwhack to summit. So, you have to start somewhere: so my first mountain was Eagle Mountain.

We parked at the Seager parking lot and trailhead. The conditions were super snowy up here. We needed to wear winter boots and microspikes to get up to the summit. The hike was about 8.2-miles round trip. This hike also included a water crossing...however, you'd think in the winter, you can cross on ice. Well, this brook was flowing and it was not at all covered in ice. So we had to hike a mile up the brook just to find some trees and some available ice to help us cross!

We ate lunch at the Shandaken lean-to. The lean-tos in the Catskill Park are pretty nice. They come equipped with a pot, knife, a shovel, and an axe! At least that is what this one had in it. The port-a-john definitely looked updated, however, the door was OFF when we arrived. So whoever used it, was completely exposed and had a great view out into the forest.

Shandaken Lean-To

Missing a Door to the Potty!

Narnia

As we ascended more up to Eagle Mountain, the snow got more clumpy on the trees! It looked like Narnia up there! After about a mile of tredging through snow, we got to a huge cairn that was the summit of Eagle Mountain. There was no view like most summits I have done, a lot of the forest has grown in and over. So the cairn was a great sign of us accomplishing our goal.

I had a great time hiking with Alex and her friend, Mel. It is always nice when you hike with friends - you catch up, talk about everything and anything, and support each other along the journey! Super excited to add more mountains to my 3500 list!

Eagle Mountain is in the Books!

Summit Pose!
Eagle Mountain: 3,600-feet
Catskill Park, New York 

Hiking to Taggart Lake

Thursday afternoon, after a wonderful morning of making Abielskivers with Mary Beth and Eddie, Luke and I decided to go to hike to one of my favorite places, Taggart Lake.  The hike usually lasts a good 45-minutes as you slowly stroll along the trail through some scenic and concealed areas of conifer, snags, and open hill tops, until finally landing at the Taggart Lake which gives you a perfect view of the Grand (on a beautiful clear day, of course).

Look at that U-Shaped Valley!

Scenic View Overlooking Taggart Lake

On the Medial Moraine Between the Taggart and Bradley Lakes

To our surprise, well to my surprise, we hiked all the way to the lake in about 30-minutes.  Boy, is that a record for me!  Usually I take my time and absorb the beauty that the hike gives, but we got to the lake pretty quickly.  And since we were on good timing, we decided to try to make a hike to Bradley Lake, just a shy north of Taggart.

Look What I Found

On the way there, I found one of the most exciting discoveries I have had all winter: BIG MAMMAL TRACKS.  Looking at the tracks, I noticed that the paw prints were more circular than oval (which oval-shaped prints are more dog like...) and there were no noticeable claw marks, and a very faint distinction of a double mound in the paw pad.

Then after sending the photos to one of my Ecology professors, he wrote back confirming what he believes is the same notion as me: Mountain Lion!!

That was such exciting news to hear...yet alone, a smidge scary...glad we did not run into this animal while on the trail!

Mountain Lion Statistics:

• Stride: 20-30 inches
• Straddle: 7-9 inches
• Actual Print: 4.5-5 inches

Mountain lions are the largest cat in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.  They will mostly prey upon mule deer and will RARELY attack humans.  However, they are incredibly secretive and will usually leave a scene before they are even spotted.

Mountain Lion Tracks!

Don't Worry, I'm safe from the Big Cat!

TheChristyBel

Works Cited:

Johnson, K. (2013). Field guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Helena: Farcountry Press.

Jackson Peak & Wildlife

So after a week of Place-Based Education, Mandy, Dani, and I had Friday off and decided to escape campus and do some hiking! Plus, it was also time to celebrate the parks reopening.

However, dogs are not allowed on National Park land so we decided to go into the Bridger-Teton National Forest instead and take Geo on a hike!  Geo is Dani's adorable border collie.

We knew it was going to be snowy but I did not realize how snowy it would be. I wore some of my hiking boots with gaiters. Next time, insulated boots! The snow was a dry snow unlike home where your gear gets so wet so quickly. So I was dry but kind of cold.

We decided to try and hike Jackson Peak. We all had not really hiked a whole lot since the beginning of the semester so if we made it to the top, great. If not, next time.

I was just a little excited and nervous about some of my first snowy hiking adventures!

Our View On the Trail Towards Jackson Peak

The hike up was gorgeous. The views here are beyond spectacular and I cannot get bored of them!

Dani's Dog, Geo, Loves Hanging Out with the TSS Grads!
Most Importantly, Loves to Have Sticks Thrown For Him.

Geo is such a hoot! He loves to play and loves people. He always wants to play fetch. If you do not give him a stick, he will go off trail and try to pull one for you. Even if that means a stick way beyond his mouth size!

Such an Amazing View and Hike...Even With Snow

We stopped at a clearly on a ridge for lunch. Again, with a beauitful view.

Geo Waits Patiently...With a Serious Face for Someone to Play With Him

The entire time, Geo trying to get our attention. If we did not have a stick to throw, we would throw him snowballs. It was so funny. He would chomp down on it, practically spit it out, and wait for the next one to be thrown. Silly dog!

We mostly chatted the entire time and did not make it to the top. Next time!  On our way down, I could not help but examine the snow! It looked so different from the snow back home in Delaware.

The Snow Up Here is SOOOOOO Different From Back Home

The crystals were so well defined, bigger, and prettier! Not to mention this snow is uber dry! Not very good snowball material!

Look at the Crystals of the Snow Flakes!
Nerding-Out!

On our way home back into non-snow territory: we ran into a traffic jam of bison hanging in the middle of the Gros Ventre Road. It still amazes me about living and driving through this national park with so much wildlife everywhere. And I do not think I can ever get tired of seeing them!

Bison In the Road - Preventing Us From Getting Home

Back on the Homeland...a Beautiful View!

After passing the bison traffic jam, we got back just in time for a PHENOMENAL sunset over the Tetons.  Again, the colors and the views were unbelievable.  Little did we know we had another surprise waiting for us back in the Grad Circle.

Cannot Ever Get Tired of The Colors

The Yard in the Grad Circle was Graced with Moose!

I love having the moose on campus!  So many of the reasons why I chose this place.  This family that has been hanging out on campus really makes themselves at home. After surviving the bison traffic jam, we come to find the moose family nestled down in the yard of the Grad Circle. It was really cool. One of the grads, Leah, was able to sit on her porch step of her cabin and watch them. Luckily she had a place to resort to if the moose got a little territorial or nervous.

An A-Moose-Ment Park!

Such an eventful day of nature, snow, bison, and moose! Hopefully every other day will be as excitingly jam-packed as today's was!

Into Snowier Days to Come,

TheChristyBel

First Snow Hike - Accomplished and Survived!