Camping/Water between Lone and Rocky

mudhook · 08-21-2012, 06:21 PM

Camping is legal between Lone and Rocky. However, this is a very fragile area, with thick , boreal forest, it might be best for the mountain not to camp there, but at the lean-to or along the Neversink in one of the designated sites.

For Example:

Just the other day I was taking a walk up there and found a large fire pit built on the summit of Rocky. Apparently the fire had gotten a little out of hand and had burnt a larger circle around the fire ring. There is a fire ban for all NY State right now. However campfires are permitted if under 3' in diameter. But campfires are not allowed over 3500'. Rocky is a mere 3508', the fire at 3506'.
The fire was built on top of duff, a thin layer of organic material. Down along the Neversink in sites now closed to camping there are several deep holes where fire has burned into the duff. 2' or 3' . Duff fires burn underground and can go undetected for days.It was very possible to leave this fire thinking it was out and have the top of the mountain burn off a week later.
I have fought fire on several Catskill peaks over the years: it is hard, dangerous ,thankless work. I would have not been a happy camper if I had had to carry 50+ lbs of gear up there to fight a wildfire.
This was an act of incredible stupidity.
Several large rocks were moved to build this poorly designed fire ring, creating large holes that will fill with water, hastening erosion.
The people who built this were not selfish: they left enough dry wood for the next group, including some freshly cut live White Birch, which I believe may be of a rare subspecies of White Birch that only grows above 3500', but I could be wrong about this.

I spent an hour rolling the rocks back into holes and covering the burned damaged ground. Any one going up there should feel free to bring handfuls of leaves and stuff from back in the woods aways and throwing them over the area. In time, nature will heal itself.

As for water, there is a good spring up there. Not hard to find.

herzzreh · 08-21-2012, 11:51 PM

Where's the spring?

08-21-2012, 06:21 PM	#1
mudhook Forum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: On the slopes of Old Clump Posts: 2,261	Camping/Water between Lone and Rocky Camping is legal between Lone and Rocky. However, this is a very fragile area, with thick , boreal forest, it might be best for the mountain not to camp there, but at the lean-to or along the Neversink in one of the designated sites. For Example: Just the other day I was taking a walk up there and found a large fire pit built on the summit of Rocky. Apparently the fire had gotten a little out of hand and had burnt a larger circle around the fire ring. There is a fire ban for all NY State right now. However campfires are permitted if under 3' in diameter. But campfires are not allowed over 3500'. Rocky is a mere 3508', the fire at 3506'. The fire was built on top of duff, a thin layer of organic material. Down along the Neversink in sites now closed to camping there are several deep holes where fire has burned into the duff. 2' or 3' . Duff fires burn underground and can go undetected for days.It was very possible to leave this fire thinking it was out and have the top of the mountain burn off a week later. I have fought fire on several Catskill peaks over the years: it is hard, dangerous ,thankless work. I would have not been a happy camper if I had had to carry 50+ lbs of gear up there to fight a wildfire. This was an act of incredible stupidity. Several large rocks were moved to build this poorly designed fire ring, creating large holes that will fill with water, hastening erosion. The people who built this were not selfish: they left enough dry wood for the next group, including some freshly cut live White Birch, which I believe may be of a rare subspecies of White Birch that only grows above 3500', but I could be wrong about this. I spent an hour rolling the rocks back into holes and covering the burned damaged ground. Any one going up there should feel free to bring handfuls of leaves and stuff from back in the woods aways and throwing them over the area. In time, nature will heal itself. As for water, there is a good spring up there. Not hard to find. Last edited by mudhook; 11-04-2012 at 06:02 PM.

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

08-21-2012, 11:51 PM	#2
herzzreh Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 28	Where's the spring?

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