Santanoni/Panther

[joseywalesb]

Just one thing to say, "AWESOME!!!" What a totally beautiful day for a hike through the Santanoni's. We left the trailhead at 8:20 from Upper works. To Bradley pond trail by 9am. Trail was in super condition. There's a ton of side trails that go around the mud, the mud is actually very good right about now, looks soupy but seems very firm in many places when you step on it. We were taking a side trail near Bradley pond and missed our turn to go to times square. We looked all over for a cairn but it was no longer there. We tried the ole' 1.7 mile idea from the road but there was absolutely nothing... Soooo... we just ended up going up Panther Brook to T.S. From TS we walked to Panther in 11 min. flat, we stayed for approximately 15 min. got a drink and took some pics and then off to Santanoni. It was around 12:30 or so by now... We summited Santa at 2pm on the money with a couple small breaks in between for water and to look at the nice views on the way. We were also keeping our eye out for the new/old Santanoni club trail which we wanted to take out for some different scenery... We sat at a little clearing near the summit and ate lunch, drank lots and met a dude that was on his way from Couchsie. We talked with him for a bit then left around 2:50 or so, walked about 10 min then decided we'd take the old Santa club trail back out to save the little mileage. We walked along the old trail, we all really enjoyed quite a bit, BUT, and here's the big BUTTTT!!! If people keep using this old trail before DEC gets a chance to do some work it will have mud holes the size of everywhere else. There are about 4 or 5 very mossy areas to cross and some other very slippery small ledges that really need work. Someone flagged this trail but I'm thinking that ain't gonna last very long. ***This is just my opinion... I'd say before going on this newer trail, call dec or the 46ers and see what they say first. If I'da known it was such a pretty walk I'da done it a long time ago, but not if it was going to end up like the other trail...
All in all a great day. The trails are in the best condition ever and hopefully it'll stay that way...

[pete_hickey]

...If people keep using this old trail before DEC gets a chance to do some work it will have mud holes the size of everywhere else. ...The DEC has no plans (at this time) on doing anything... or even recognizing that path. Even if they wanted to, the DEC could not just say, "Lets re-open this trail." They don't have the power to do that.

The DEC has told us that any work done on that path is currently not legal, and we could get in trouble if we were to make any improvements. The 46ers work with the DEC.

It is an extremely good example of the power of the net, and its effect on the trails.

[joseywalesb]

The DEC has no plans (at this time) on doing anything... or even recognizing that path. Even if they wanted to, the DEC could not just say, "Lets re-open this trail." They don't have the power to do that.

The DEC has told us that any work done on that path is currently not legal, and we could get in trouble if we were to make any improvements. The 46ers work with the DEC.

It is an extremely good example of the power of the net, and its effect on the trails.

Have you been there yet Pete? What would your suggestions be to future people??? I think I'll walk the extra mile when I go back, hell, on a 13 or 14 mile day what's an extra 20 minutes to have a nicer path a few months or next summer eh?