Dick
07-30-2006, 02:35 PM
Joanne and I had planned a hike to Peekamoose and Table Mountains on Saturday, but with a too-late start, some confusion with the roads to the area, the hot muggy weather, and the fact that Joanne just HAD to take pictures of Buttermilk Falls, we opted for Ashokan High Point instead, just down the road. We opted to do the loop, a pleasant, moderate nine-mile walk (2070 ft. ascent). While there are some views at and near the summit, this is a mountain to enjoy the endless variety of the woods rather than scenic vistas.
The approach to the loop portion of the hike, though on a tote road of some sort, passes along and above the Kanape Brook, and through patches of ferns and hardwoods, all quite open. After a mile or so we encountered delightful cistern. The area was occupied by a family and dog having lunch, so we saved picture taking for the return trip. Eventually the trail crosses the brook again, and we came upon a designated campsite. The woods then radically change to hemlocks, as the trail levels and widens as it passes along the meandering brook.
Climbing again, through wide open forest (lots of ferns, jewelweed), the trail soon reaches a junction with a beautiful meadow (private land). A sharp turn left marks the beginning of the loop portion of the hike. The end of the loop is only 50 yards up the trail. We didn’t notice it ascending, though we were planning to take the “newer” path up and weren’t really looking for it. The remainder of the trail up goes through a variety of hardwoods, mountain laurel, ferns, and wildflowers, and a few partial views (Peekamoose & Table?) begin to open up. Climbing becomes steeper, and we went up a series of five short, steep pitches, with nearly level areas in between. The last of these brought us to the summit, a grassy, rocky open area with hazy views that were partially blocked by trees. Finding a shady rock among the ferns, we ate lunch and enjoyed the solitude, shared only by some bugs (not too bad).
The trail back goes by an open area, where we encountered two campers, then down into some absolutely gorgeous woods with fields of ferns and laurel. Much of the trail down was overgrown on a narrow path, much nicer and more “primitive” than the beginning of the hike. It wasted no time descending, though there were a couple of places where elevation is lost and regained. Shortly after negotiating a way too long and annoying rockslide, we close the loop and head back to the car. Passed a couple of backpackers on the way down, planning to camp at the summit. Looking at the trail register, we noticed that many locals seem to enjoy hiking the mountain. An enjoyable day for both of us.
Dick
The approach to the loop portion of the hike, though on a tote road of some sort, passes along and above the Kanape Brook, and through patches of ferns and hardwoods, all quite open. After a mile or so we encountered delightful cistern. The area was occupied by a family and dog having lunch, so we saved picture taking for the return trip. Eventually the trail crosses the brook again, and we came upon a designated campsite. The woods then radically change to hemlocks, as the trail levels and widens as it passes along the meandering brook.
Climbing again, through wide open forest (lots of ferns, jewelweed), the trail soon reaches a junction with a beautiful meadow (private land). A sharp turn left marks the beginning of the loop portion of the hike. The end of the loop is only 50 yards up the trail. We didn’t notice it ascending, though we were planning to take the “newer” path up and weren’t really looking for it. The remainder of the trail up goes through a variety of hardwoods, mountain laurel, ferns, and wildflowers, and a few partial views (Peekamoose & Table?) begin to open up. Climbing becomes steeper, and we went up a series of five short, steep pitches, with nearly level areas in between. The last of these brought us to the summit, a grassy, rocky open area with hazy views that were partially blocked by trees. Finding a shady rock among the ferns, we ate lunch and enjoyed the solitude, shared only by some bugs (not too bad).
The trail back goes by an open area, where we encountered two campers, then down into some absolutely gorgeous woods with fields of ferns and laurel. Much of the trail down was overgrown on a narrow path, much nicer and more “primitive” than the beginning of the hike. It wasted no time descending, though there were a couple of places where elevation is lost and regained. Shortly after negotiating a way too long and annoying rockslide, we close the loop and head back to the car. Passed a couple of backpackers on the way down, planning to camp at the summit. Looking at the trail register, we noticed that many locals seem to enjoy hiking the mountain. An enjoyable day for both of us.
Dick