Sugarloaf, Plateau 4.22.06 Icestorm

[mudhook]

This started out as a nice hike for a rainy day. Went in from N. Mink Hlw. and up Sugarloafs west side. At about 2900' I noticed that the trees were starting to ice up . Soon afterwards everything was icy, but most of the larger rocks were still warm enough from last weeks heat wave that they were just wet. At 3500' all was ice. We summited and headed back down. (I considered going down the twin side but I don't like the long boring trail back around the base of Sugarloaf). By now the dogs(Chow-Lab) tail was so laden with ice, it lay on her back like a scorpions tail. Its was a slow, careful trip , but not bad. At the lean-to and soup ,it seemed to warm up so I decided to try Plateau. Again at 2900' things began to ice up, and soon I was toeing in to gain traction under the ice that covered the leaves on the sides of the trail. Now it was a heavy freezing rain, not good, about a 1/4 " ice on the ground and 1/2" in the trees. At the summit I considered going to the Elka Park Trail and taking my chances with trespassing, but instead headed back down after using what hot water I had left to deice my poles so I could adjust them and fashioning a rude foot traction contraption out of the dogs rope which worked for a while. I ended up backing down most of the steeps , and its mostly steeps,using anything to hold on to. Then the wind picked up and we were pelted with ice cube size chunks of ice from the trees, forcing us under the ledges a couple of times. Good thing my hood was frozen and acted like a helmet. The dog was now so heavy from all the ice on her that it was a chore downloading her off some of the rocks. Just above the lean-to the trail was wet and we continued on our merry way.
I was dry and comfortable with gloves , hats , heavy goretex jacket, mitts, and pants, even with all the butt and face sliding I did, but should have had heavier boots and of course some kind of foot traction ,like stabilizers, but I'm not sure how they would have worked.
This was some of the poorest judgement I have used in a long while. Bailing out, which I have done successfuly several times in the past, should have been my choice, and I knew it. I now go back to square one.

[MattC]

Sounds like kinda tough going. Did you see anyone else? Ralph (Hermit) was planing on dayhiking the whole DP today, and Dawn (Hike the 115) was supposed to lead a 3500 Club hike on these two peaks. I wonder if either or both of them cancelled due to the inclement weather.

Matt

[Mark Schaefer]

It has been up and down weather wise this spring. At least we are finally getting some precipitation. It has been near 40 degrees all day down here in the valley, so it is not surprising there was snow and ice falling at the higher elevations. Hypothermia weather for sure. Glad to hear that you and the dogs made it out OK.

I have on two occasions been able to get permission from the Elka Club to hike down to Spruce Top from Plateau. The upper part of the trail is a bit overgrown and not very well marked. It has some steeps, but few if any rocky places like the Devil's Path into Mink Hollow. It would have been wet brushing up against the foliage on the way down and perhaps difficult to follow with wet snow covering the sparse markers. There is a nice recently cut view into Mink Hollow just south of the summit of Spruce Top, and another wide open view north of the summit at about 3100' -- this may have once been the site of a cabin as there is an old fireplace and chimney there. I have never asked for permission to hike below that point down to the Elka Club buildings.

[hermit]

Jimmy Buff-the program director from WDST and I were suppose to do the entire Devil's Path including Leavitt Pk. We decided on Friday to change plans ,and do the hike sometime in May on a clear day. Sounds like we made a wise choice. I have done that hike in May with the other VFTT'ers on the Brain Tumor Society hike,so it looks like I will have them done again in May.I am contemplating where to hike today,I think I will stick close to home and hike High Point. Thank's for the report Mudhook! It's good to know when conditions are bad.I would still like to hike all or part of the Devil's Path this month.Later on in the week when the sun comes out and warms things up,and the ice melts. Jimmy can't make it this week,anyone interested?I can go Thursday,or Sat.,Friday is a railtrail bike ride .

[MattC]

Jimmy Buff-the program director from WDST and I were suppose to do the entire Devil's Path including Leavitt Pk. We decided on Friday to change plans ,and do the hike sometime in May on a clear day. Sounds like we made a wise choice. I have done that hike in May with the other VFTT'ers on the Brain Tumor Society hike,so it looks like I will have them done again in May.I am contemplating where to hike today,I think I will stick close to home and hike High Point. Thank's for the report Mudhook! It's good to know when conditions are bad.

I kinda figured you might have bagged your plans, Ralph. A little rain is one thing. Freezing rain and ice for an entire DP traverse is another. I was considering calling you and maybe joining in on your hike until about last Thursday when it looked like the forecast wasn't going to change. At that point I figured even if you were still going for it, I sure wasn't! Maybe I'll be up for the May attempt, depending when you do it.

Matt

[hermit]

Hi Matt,
It will be on short notice in May,because he wants good views for some photo opportunities,weekday or weekend.We are just picking a great day ,and go for it.However,I will keep you in the loop.or we can go sometime this week.See edited post above. Even if it's just hiking Indian Head to the rt214 notch. Three cars work best for the whole hike ,with a car in the Notch with more food and water,and 1 at the Western terminus.Gee ,I hope I am not hijacking Mudhooks post,I am not trying to. It would be nice if he could go .His post was valuable ,because I was going to hike Plateau,and Sugarloaf today.
ps,
I did go up Highpoint,and at about 3000' the ice in the trees started,I can imagine going above 3500' could be pretty tricky until it melts later this week.
Besides it's no fun getting bonked in the head with ice,been there done that,maybe once too many times.

[mudhook]

Sounds like kinda tough going. Did you see anyone else? Ralph (Hermit) was planing on dayhiking the whole DP today, and Dawn (Hike the 115) was supposed to lead a 3500 Club hike on these two peaks. I wonder if either or both of them cancelled due to the inclement weather.

Matt
I saw one set of tracks, about a 10 1/2, in the sand ,near the summit of sugarloaf, under a fir, frozen in place . I know of very few of us who purposely hike in all weather, and thought it might be Ralph. Glad to see it wasn't you. The morning would have been wet, but as the day wore on conditions would have worsened. On the ride home I noticed all the mountains along the northern (Schoharie River) , and western (East Branch Delaware River) edge were rimed with ice at the same 2900' level.
Looking back, I now think the tracks were frozen in place from the day before.
Mark, there was no snow, just ice. I have done work in Elka Park near the start of the Spruce Top trail. and the people were all very nice. Groups were hiking to the "picnic area", and stated that members also used Atv's on weekends. I'm sure it would have been alright to use their trail on such a day, but didn't want to chance it, and a strange trail at that, in those conditions. I might ask sometime because I think it would be an interesting loop: from Mink hlw. across the top, down to Spruce Top and the club, out the upper gate and back to Mink Hlw. A little road milage.
Ralph, just read your addition, hope I didn't scare you off from todays hike, conditions change fast, but it sounds like you still ran into ice. Was it gone from the ground ? I'm back to 6 day work weeks until the snow flies,(hurry up winter!) except for those nasty days like Sat., so its Sunday hiking for the most part,but let me know, I'd like to get out with you guys sometime.
ps, hijack away, thats what posts are for, and poor conditions need posting about.

[hermit]

Hi Mudhook,
It doesn't look like too many people were out yesterday 4-23,after looking at the VFTT trail condition reports.I was happy with just doing High Point.I don't like hiking when all the trees are bent over the trails coated in ice. I think a good melt is taking place today. I can see Plateau Mtn. from outside my office,and it looks like the ice is gone.

[Jay H]

Was supposed to be in the Taconics and hiking sages ravine and Frissell and Bear but postponed that trip to this weekend. Good thing, looks like a better weather weekend so far.

Now taking applications for events in June :)

Jay

[hermit]

Well I climbed Sugarloaf,Twin,and Indianhead,and Plateau yesterday,and the snow and ice is gone. Just a few minor wet areas.The views were outstanding.Today is a long bike ride around the Ashokan res. :tup:

[mudhook]

Well I climbed Sugarloaf,Twin,and Indianhead,and Plateau yesterday,and the snow and ice is gone. Just a few minor wet areas.The views were outstanding.Today is a long bike ride around the Ashokan res. :tup:
A couple of beautiful days to be out, what a difference from last weekend. Looks good for a few more. Kayak or backpack? what a dilemma!