hiking machine
06-13-2005, 10:10 AM
I know this is in the Catskills and not the DAKS, but since so many on the forum are doing the Firetower Challenge I thought I would inlcude it.
I did this hike with my sons, Noah (6) and Aidan (5). It was a really hot and humid day. We took the Beckett Hollow Trail because it was the shortest, but you gain 2,200 feet in just over 2 miles. I will say both of my sons are very experienced for there ages. They have both done several high peaks and have about 25 hikes under there belt, so I was not worried about the elevation gain.
We hit the trail about 9:30 under hazy skies. We could not see the mountains as we drove to the trail. The trail was in really good shape and reminded me of the Adirondacks. You hit a brook, bridge and some nice small waterfalls in the first half mile. From here the climbing starts and it is pretty relentless the whole way. Most of the climb is steady, but there were a few sections that were pretty steep. Due to the heat we took our time and took several breaks. At 1.8 you hit a 3,500 foot elevation sign. From here the trail was like a mini rock slide, with alot of loose rock. This was not a problem going up, but was trickier coming down. We hit the junction and took the shorter connector trail to the summit. From this point the trail levels out a bit and then makes one more steep climb to the firetower. There are no views from the summit and today there were no views from the tower. Also the cab was closed. We had the summit to ourselves for about 15 minutes then other hikers starting arriving from the other trails that lead to the summit.
On the way down the skies opened up and it POURED the whole way down. At first it was refeshing, but after an hour in became annoying. We eventually reached the car at 3:30 where it was still pouring. We changed into dry clothes and headed to Burger King for a late lunch.
Even without the views it was a great day to be hiking and I really enjoyed this trail!
This was number 18/23 for me and 13/23 for the boys.
Happy hiking!
Chris Sausville #5237*
I did this hike with my sons, Noah (6) and Aidan (5). It was a really hot and humid day. We took the Beckett Hollow Trail because it was the shortest, but you gain 2,200 feet in just over 2 miles. I will say both of my sons are very experienced for there ages. They have both done several high peaks and have about 25 hikes under there belt, so I was not worried about the elevation gain.
We hit the trail about 9:30 under hazy skies. We could not see the mountains as we drove to the trail. The trail was in really good shape and reminded me of the Adirondacks. You hit a brook, bridge and some nice small waterfalls in the first half mile. From here the climbing starts and it is pretty relentless the whole way. Most of the climb is steady, but there were a few sections that were pretty steep. Due to the heat we took our time and took several breaks. At 1.8 you hit a 3,500 foot elevation sign. From here the trail was like a mini rock slide, with alot of loose rock. This was not a problem going up, but was trickier coming down. We hit the junction and took the shorter connector trail to the summit. From this point the trail levels out a bit and then makes one more steep climb to the firetower. There are no views from the summit and today there were no views from the tower. Also the cab was closed. We had the summit to ourselves for about 15 minutes then other hikers starting arriving from the other trails that lead to the summit.
On the way down the skies opened up and it POURED the whole way down. At first it was refeshing, but after an hour in became annoying. We eventually reached the car at 3:30 where it was still pouring. We changed into dry clothes and headed to Burger King for a late lunch.
Even without the views it was a great day to be hiking and I really enjoyed this trail!
This was number 18/23 for me and 13/23 for the boys.
Happy hiking!
Chris Sausville #5237*