MattC
08-13-2006, 09:58 AM
This was a fun hike, because it was with three friends who all enjoy hiking, but who don't get a chance to get out that much. We drove around to the Spruceton trailhead and started up at around 10. Encountered a gentleman and his granddaughter and her dog at the junction with the old road coming up from Taylor Hollow. They were just out for a short walk and it turned out that the guy lived down in the Spruceton Valley. My friend Dominique used to live in Hunter, so they chatted about "the neighborhood" and some folks they both know who live in the area.
We went on our way, not stopping again until the site of the John Robb leanto. We had a look at the little view there and then poked around the leanto site. It burned so completely it's almost hard to to believe it was there, save for the charred wood and fire pit. I look forward to the opportunity to volunteer if and when it is rebuilt. Next stop was the Colonel's Chair Trail junction, where we decided to take the side trip. This trail was quite littered, since so many "less enlighted" types use it after coming up the chair lift. We picked up quite a few water bottles, caps, wrappers, etc.
After half an hour or so of downhill, we were at the top of the ski center. Great views, lots of people, indoor bathrooms, picnic benches, you get the idea. :rolleyes: In addition, there is a Rip Van Winkle sculpture up there that is being carved out of a large chunk of bluestone. They have been working on this for over ten years and apparently work on it throughout the summer tourist season, so chair lift folks can walk over and watch them work.
Back up to the Spruceton Trail and on to the summit. At a little side lookout along the way, we could just make out the sound of music and annoucements coming from the German Festival down below. The usual great views from the tower and the steady breezes were our summit rewards. Then back down to the other lookout ledges facing west and south at the Hunter Mt. Trail junction. We stayed here about as long as at the summit and then finally headed down. One brief stop at the leanto, another quick look at the last lookout ledge (facing Leavitt Peak) and at last back down to Diamond Notch. A look at the Falls and then back to the car by about 6.
My friends all felt like it was just strenuous enough and a great time was had by all. Did I mention the weather was absolutely perfect?
Curiously, we had three guys (including me) that know the area pretty well, but we had the out of town guy driving! The poor guy had to drive w/ three other knuckleheads shouting directions and discussing various roads! Anyhow, after a drive through the Village of Hunter, we headed back down 214, through Phoenicia to 28, and then crossed the Reservoir on the way home. I wanted the out of town friend to see one of the most scenic Catskill sights. Somewhere after this on 28A or 213 we saw had a young buck run in front of the car, so my friend had to slam the brakes a bit. A while later, same thing happened w/ a turkey running and then flying across the road. Definitely a trial by fire in Catskill back road driving. Fun trip home!
Matt
We went on our way, not stopping again until the site of the John Robb leanto. We had a look at the little view there and then poked around the leanto site. It burned so completely it's almost hard to to believe it was there, save for the charred wood and fire pit. I look forward to the opportunity to volunteer if and when it is rebuilt. Next stop was the Colonel's Chair Trail junction, where we decided to take the side trip. This trail was quite littered, since so many "less enlighted" types use it after coming up the chair lift. We picked up quite a few water bottles, caps, wrappers, etc.
After half an hour or so of downhill, we were at the top of the ski center. Great views, lots of people, indoor bathrooms, picnic benches, you get the idea. :rolleyes: In addition, there is a Rip Van Winkle sculpture up there that is being carved out of a large chunk of bluestone. They have been working on this for over ten years and apparently work on it throughout the summer tourist season, so chair lift folks can walk over and watch them work.
Back up to the Spruceton Trail and on to the summit. At a little side lookout along the way, we could just make out the sound of music and annoucements coming from the German Festival down below. The usual great views from the tower and the steady breezes were our summit rewards. Then back down to the other lookout ledges facing west and south at the Hunter Mt. Trail junction. We stayed here about as long as at the summit and then finally headed down. One brief stop at the leanto, another quick look at the last lookout ledge (facing Leavitt Peak) and at last back down to Diamond Notch. A look at the Falls and then back to the car by about 6.
My friends all felt like it was just strenuous enough and a great time was had by all. Did I mention the weather was absolutely perfect?
Curiously, we had three guys (including me) that know the area pretty well, but we had the out of town guy driving! The poor guy had to drive w/ three other knuckleheads shouting directions and discussing various roads! Anyhow, after a drive through the Village of Hunter, we headed back down 214, through Phoenicia to 28, and then crossed the Reservoir on the way home. I wanted the out of town friend to see one of the most scenic Catskill sights. Somewhere after this on 28A or 213 we saw had a young buck run in front of the car, so my friend had to slam the brakes a bit. A while later, same thing happened w/ a turkey running and then flying across the road. Definitely a trial by fire in Catskill back road driving. Fun trip home!
Matt