Jay H
09-11-2010, 04:37 PM
Keep plugging away at the local spots, today's hermit hike was to Alander Mtn by way of the South Taconic Trail from Bash Bish falls. I made a quick pit stop on the Mass. parking lot for Bash Bish falls to check out the overlook but then I parked at the main trailhead with only 2 other cars in the lot.. then I walked past a large wedding celebration to hit the South Taconic trail up over Bash Bish Mtn which is pretty much unassuming and nothing special, to go 2 miles south to Alander, through the Quartzite and the little escarpment views towards the Hudson Valley with the catskills being a backdrop. On Alander, you know you are there when you're greeted with hundreds of blueberry bushes and open slabby rocks. And a nice cool cabin. First one today, I sign the log book and think it would be a helluva winter spot to camp out in... After some meanderings to see what peak is the true summit, I zoom out the way I came.
After getting back to my car at the bash bish trailhead, Ihead north on the cedar brook trail, following the pretty but mosty dry brook upstream. Water is crystal clear, must be nice in the spring but a little dangerous as the trail crosses the brook a couple of times. Heading towards Sunset rock which has a very good view of the real escarpment of the Catskills.. I meet some other hikers at the rock and we share the view.
On my way back, I take the S. Taconic./Sunset Rock trail back to the Copake campground, coming across a really long almost 3' long timber rattler partially across the trail (see pictures). I take a long branch and get it across, in which it curls up and shows to me that he is indeed a rattler!!! He doesn't look too happy to be herded across the trail, but he manages to abide by my stick. Didn't see another soul so nobody to warn thinking it's probably a popular hike for campers...
But back at the car, was thinking of checking out the Copake iron works but hunger got the best of me and I headed into Lenox for some pizza.
http://picasaweb.google.com/cycleslugyahoo/AlandarBashBish_20100911
Jay
After getting back to my car at the bash bish trailhead, Ihead north on the cedar brook trail, following the pretty but mosty dry brook upstream. Water is crystal clear, must be nice in the spring but a little dangerous as the trail crosses the brook a couple of times. Heading towards Sunset rock which has a very good view of the real escarpment of the Catskills.. I meet some other hikers at the rock and we share the view.
On my way back, I take the S. Taconic./Sunset Rock trail back to the Copake campground, coming across a really long almost 3' long timber rattler partially across the trail (see pictures). I take a long branch and get it across, in which it curls up and shows to me that he is indeed a rattler!!! He doesn't look too happy to be herded across the trail, but he manages to abide by my stick. Didn't see another soul so nobody to warn thinking it's probably a popular hike for campers...
But back at the car, was thinking of checking out the Copake iron works but hunger got the best of me and I headed into Lenox for some pizza.
http://picasaweb.google.com/cycleslugyahoo/AlandarBashBish_20100911
Jay