Hodge Pond & Mongaup hike on a Blue Bird Day - March 6, 2012

Jim Kennard · 03-08-2012, 11:12 PM

Ralph (Catskillhiker), Sheba (dog), and I drove to the Frick Pond PA to begin our hike up to Hodge Pond Mountain. Wednesday was absolutely fantastic. Sunny, a clear sky, temperature in the 40’s….this day was not to be missed by being inside. We debated on whether we should leave the snowshoes behind or not. Finally, we figured that it would be best to use them. Strapped them on straight away and never regretted that we made that decision as we climbed higher and into deeper snow during the day. It’s hard to know for sure this time of year as we are in, or nearly in, the “in between season”. We followed the Red trail past Frick pond which is still frozen over. Passed by Iron Wheel junction and continued up the trail to a point just as it starts to turn northeast. At this point we took a bearing to Hodge Pond Mountain and started bushwhacking to the summit. Somewhere along the way Ralph dropped his green woolen hat or it was caught in a tree. If anyone is up that way please keep a look out for it. On the summit there are two small boulders next to each other. They were snow covered now but must provide a good place to sit for a bite to eat before continuing on. Unfortunately I forgot to take a pic of these. From the summit we headed northeast to reach the Red trail which goes around to the north of Hodge Pond Mountain.

Sheba & Ralph nearing the summit of Hodge Pond

To reach Mongaup Mountain we headed east to the Blue trail that leads down to Hodge Pond. We stopped to take some pics of the frozen pond and hiked around the north side of the pond. Here we came to a short woods road that led to another woods road that went around the southwest side of Beech Mountain. There was a trail made by a ski mobile that was pretty much heading towards the summit of Mongaup and we followed it along for a while until we came to the col between Beech and Mongaup. From here there is a very narrow V shaped contour that is south of the Mongaup summit.

V shaped ridge near summit of Mongaup

This is a must take route as it takes one up along a ridge the looks down into the valley to the east. From here I observed at around 165 degrees an unidentified(for the moment) ski area that may be around 10 miles away.

Unidentified ski area

This is the area where one can get some nice view of the mountains to the east.

On the summit of Mongaup we took a short break for lunch. We retraced our route to the woods road but then continued south on the Flynn Trail (Blue) back to the PA. Another great day in the woods. The hike distance was just over 10 miles. Cheers, Jim

Hodge Pond & Mongaup hike pics:

mudhook · 03-09-2012, 08:06 AM

Always a lot of snow in that area. I once hiked it with one snowshoe

With your super duper magnifying camera, the ski area could be Mad River Glen, Mt. Snow, or even the west side of Vail.
But most likely the old South Fallsburgh ski area.

Jay H · 03-09-2012, 08:09 AM

Sunday River! Maybe it's even Chamonix, France..

That v shaped contour is the catskills version of the Knife Edge!

Jay

03-08-2012, 11:12 PM	#1
Jim Kennard High Peaks Explorer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fairport, NY Posts: 265	Hodge Pond & Mongaup hike on a Blue Bird Day - March 6, 2012 Ralph (Catskillhiker), Sheba (dog), and I drove to the Frick Pond PA to begin our hike up to Hodge Pond Mountain. Wednesday was absolutely fantastic. Sunny, a clear sky, temperature in the 40’s….this day was not to be missed by being inside. We debated on whether we should leave the snowshoes behind or not. Finally, we figured that it would be best to use them. Strapped them on straight away and never regretted that we made that decision as we climbed higher and into deeper snow during the day. It’s hard to know for sure this time of year as we are in, or nearly in, the “in between season”. We followed the Red trail past Frick pond which is still frozen over. Passed by Iron Wheel junction and continued up the trail to a point just as it starts to turn northeast. At this point we took a bearing to Hodge Pond Mountain and started bushwhacking to the summit. Somewhere along the way Ralph dropped his green woolen hat or it was caught in a tree. If anyone is up that way please keep a look out for it. On the summit there are two small boulders next to each other. They were snow covered now but must provide a good place to sit for a bite to eat before continuing on. Unfortunately I forgot to take a pic of these. From the summit we headed northeast to reach the Red trail which goes around to the north of Hodge Pond Mountain. Sheba & Ralph nearing the summit of Hodge Pond To reach Mongaup Mountain we headed east to the Blue trail that leads down to Hodge Pond. We stopped to take some pics of the frozen pond and hiked around the north side of the pond. Here we came to a short woods road that led to another woods road that went around the southwest side of Beech Mountain. There was a trail made by a ski mobile that was pretty much heading towards the summit of Mongaup and we followed it along for a while until we came to the col between Beech and Mongaup. From here there is a very narrow V shaped contour that is south of the Mongaup summit. V shaped ridge near summit of Mongaup This is a must take route as it takes one up along a ridge the looks down into the valley to the east. From here I observed at around 165 degrees an unidentified(for the moment) ski area that may be around 10 miles away. Unidentified ski area This is the area where one can get some nice view of the mountains to the east. On the summit of Mongaup we took a short break for lunch. We retraced our route to the woods road but then continued south on the Flynn Trail (Blue) back to the PA. Another great day in the woods. The hike distance was just over 10 miles. Cheers, Jim Hodge Pond & Mongaup hike pics: __________________ Catskill 3500 #1888 / #774W ADK 30/46 CHH 56/102 ADK member: Genesee Valley Chapter The Explorers Club member: Fellow National 2013 Websites: www.shipwreckworld.com Stories of shipwreck discoveries www.jimkennard.com...Peak Experiences of a Catskill Senior Hiker _________________________________________ Catskill 3500 --- Finish - December 23, 2010 Catskill 3500W - Finish - December 29, 2011 _________________________________________ "It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." - Sir Edmund Hillary Last edited by Jim Kennard; 03-09-2012 at 05:23 PM.

03-09-2012, 08:09 AM	#3
Jay H Ice Cream Time Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsfield, MA Posts: 6,793	Sunday River! Maybe it's even Chamonix, France.. That v shaped contour is the catskills version of the Knife Edge! Jay __________________ Life is a short, warm moment And death is a long cold rest. You get your chance to try in the twinkling of an eye: Eighty years, with luck, or even less. -Pink Floyd

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-09-2012, 08:06 AM	#2
mudhook Forum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: On the slopes of Old Clump Posts: 2,262	Always a lot of snow in that area. I once hiked it with one snowshoe With your super duper magnifying camera, the ski area could be Mad River Glen, Mt. Snow, or even the west side of Vail. But most likely the old South Fallsburgh ski area.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)