SW Hunter and Hunter 5/7/06

[billandjudy]

Another great day to be out. Took the Devils path up from Notch Lake--Nice and steep--I like getting elevation out of the way in a hurry--headed to the herd path to SW Hunter--found it w/ no problem and were surprised to see what a clear path it is. We were so happy walking along that we overshot where we should have headed up to the summit. Ended up going the long way around. We found the canister w/ little problem although I can see why some search for a while. We headed straight back down and found the heard path shortly. Hiked back out and headed up to Hunter. Our previous trip to Hunter was in the winter--bitter cold and cloudy/snow--no views. We climbed the fire tower got some views and headed back down--there was a small crowd at the summit. We then headed over to the lookout on the way back down. There are some nice views there also.
The wild flowers are in full bloom--very pretty. More warblers today w/ some sightings--Lots of Black and Whites-- Yellow Throated and some Redstarts--We also found the feather remains of a Spruce Grouse along the Hunter Trail--someone had lunch-feathers were scattered for some distance along the trail so I am assuming the dead bird was carried for a ways. We also saw 3 Snowshoe Hares near the summit of Hunter--We had stopped because we had heard some noise off the trail. After a couple minutes 3 of the biggest wabbits I have ever seen came hopping out and along the trail. We couldn't believe the size of them! They hopped around for 10-15 seconds until they noticed us and then took off---Very cool!
As much as I like gaining vertical quickly I dislike the decent--Going down to Notch Lake was a knee killer

Pics http://community.webshots.com/album/550169543JhiBuZ

[Jay H]

Nice pictures,

we're trying to spread the word that SW Hunter == Leavitt Peak, so just passing it on. I do it all the time to, without thinking about it.. :smile:

jay

[billandjudy]

Hey Jay--I knew that :oops: I think I need to write it on my maps!

[mudhook]

Were the wabbits still white or had they changed to brown? A few years ago they were gone from many areas, its good to see them back.

[billandjudy]

They were browm I mean brown---Hind feet were still white--and big--We'd never seen them in the wild b-4--Very big!

[MattC]

Very nice pics. # 3, which is labeled "???" is a flower called Squirrel Corn. It looks a lot like Dutchman's Breeches, except the flowers don't have the little spurs, and the leaves are a little different. According to my field guide, they are both members of the poppy family and bleeding heart sub-family. On the woods road on the way to Bearpen, just a little ways above the hunting shack, we saw some Dutchman's Breeches and Squirrel Corn side by side. Did you also find the two species in close proximity?

It seems to be quite the spring for wild flowers. In the last three days I have seen at least a dozen species.

In the Catskills: Spring Beauties, Red Trillium, Trout Lily, and the two species mentioned above, also, the Hobblebush of course

In the Shawangunks: Wild Geranium, several species I haven't IDed yet, and coolest of all-a single Pink Lady Slipper, also flowering trees like Dogwood and Fire Cherry, the laurel is just starting to show the tiny beginnings of flowers, as are the blueberries in places

On the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail: Lots of common stuff-Violets, Wild Geranium, etc., the coolest thing on the Rail Trail right now is some Columbine in a few spots, bright red in one place, and pink in another.

I don't have any pics, but Edelweiss has some posted in the Bearpe/Vly thread, and my dad has some he may send me from the Gunks hike-he has a good shot of the Lady Slipper

Matt

[billandjudy]

Thanks Matt--I'm picking up a guide today. My Mom is a real whiz when it comes to wild flowers, but I'm afraid I don't remember alot of them so I'm gettin' a book!
We saw several areas where we saw DB's and the Squirrel Corn growing next to and interspersed together. I can't wit til Mt Laurel season--that's when we hit Minnewaska and the Gunks---Harriman has some thick areas of Laurel too.