MattC
12-26-2006, 03:55 PM
I got a late start Sunday after packing for my holiday visit to the Capitol Region. I intended to park at the Palenville lot on 23A and hike up to the Escarpment, but there was no room to park there (two earth-moving machines, and three other vehicles) so I headed up Kaaterskill Clove to Haines Falls. 23A is in fine shape after the extensive work, and the Clove was as beautiful as always-although it will be more so if we ever get any snow! One nice, new touch on the road-there is now more paved shoulder behind the guardrail for people to walk from the upper lot down to the Kaaterskill Falls trailhead.
Anyway, I drove past all that, up to the "Mountaintop" and on to the Schutt Rd. trailhead. I headed out on the Escarpment Trail about 11:30. This was only my second time on this ground, and the first time was at the end of Jay's charity death march back in May 2005. My first stop was the top of the Falls, easily found off-trail a short ways-in fact, there was a herd path or two around that area. I didn't get too close to the edge, and thus only had limited views of the Falls itself, but just looking out over the gulf was impressive as well. Amazing place.
Back on track, I continued down to the Layman monument, and soon was walking along the edge of the Catskills, gazing down at the road far below. It was quite windy, but the warm sun balanced that out and I was quite comfortable, a little warm at times. I saw two people early on, the only souls I'd see all day.
North Point was windy as heck and I didn't stay too long, although the view was incredible. Probably my ten minutes there was more than the first time, when I just tramped by the crowds. Back down to the junction at the base of North Mt., I took the Mary's Glen Trail to the Rock Shelter Trail, back to the road right near Schutt Rd and my car. Nice loop.
The hike was uneventful for the most part. The only reason I even post is this-for those who have not hiked this trail yet, do yourself a favor and do so. Although it doesn't take you to a 35'er, or even a 3Ker, it is some of the finest the Catskills have to offer. Countless great vistas, and some of the most beautiful forest stands in the Catskills in a few places. Also, the polished pebbles in some of the rock add some geologic variety not seen everywhere in the Park. I have to bring my seldom-hiking friends up there next spring.
Matt
Anyway, I drove past all that, up to the "Mountaintop" and on to the Schutt Rd. trailhead. I headed out on the Escarpment Trail about 11:30. This was only my second time on this ground, and the first time was at the end of Jay's charity death march back in May 2005. My first stop was the top of the Falls, easily found off-trail a short ways-in fact, there was a herd path or two around that area. I didn't get too close to the edge, and thus only had limited views of the Falls itself, but just looking out over the gulf was impressive as well. Amazing place.
Back on track, I continued down to the Layman monument, and soon was walking along the edge of the Catskills, gazing down at the road far below. It was quite windy, but the warm sun balanced that out and I was quite comfortable, a little warm at times. I saw two people early on, the only souls I'd see all day.
North Point was windy as heck and I didn't stay too long, although the view was incredible. Probably my ten minutes there was more than the first time, when I just tramped by the crowds. Back down to the junction at the base of North Mt., I took the Mary's Glen Trail to the Rock Shelter Trail, back to the road right near Schutt Rd and my car. Nice loop.
The hike was uneventful for the most part. The only reason I even post is this-for those who have not hiked this trail yet, do yourself a favor and do so. Although it doesn't take you to a 35'er, or even a 3Ker, it is some of the finest the Catskills have to offer. Countless great vistas, and some of the most beautiful forest stands in the Catskills in a few places. Also, the polished pebbles in some of the rock add some geologic variety not seen everywhere in the Park. I have to bring my seldom-hiking friends up there next spring.
Matt