Tbl - Pek - Lon - Rky - BalCap - Rky

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Table - Peek - Lone - Rocky - Balsam Cap - Rocky

(From the better late than never department)

The weather looked decent on Sunday, so I decided to practice my navigation skills. Originally the plan was, start at Denning - Up to Table - Peek - Lone - Rocky - Balsam Cap - Friday - drop down to the Neversink.

I've done all of this route before in bits and pieces or in other combinations, but wanted to see how efficient (inefficient) I could be putting it together. (Plus, perhaps the super secret herd paths would be found.)

Arriving at Denning there was one car in the lot. Since I have a drinking problem, 6 Nalgene bottles ended up in my pack along with a pump.

Traveling up to Table, I passed the spring which was running strong. (Note to self, why bother carrying all those liquids when there are ample sources to pump from.)

Reached Table in good order and then Peekamoose. Realized I didn't have my regular camera, so the one in my Droid would have to do.



Back down to the col between Peekamoose and Table, then nearer Table I turned off for the Lone herd path. Perhaps were I turn isn't popular because it doesn't show much evidence of travel until about ten minutes in. At the ten minute mark the well traveled herd path appeared. From this point on the herd path was followed or crossed several times on way to the Lone canister. (Not sure if this is the super secret path or not.)

At the top of Lone, I signed in. Not as much activity as expected. Over to the lookout, another picture was snapped.



More liquid and food as consumed. Then, down Lone I went, staying to the right. One thing I seemed to forget is that once spring and summer arrives so do the ferns which hide rocks, tree parts and other things to smash into or trip over. So a few ass over tea kettle falls occurred.

Once in the col and heading toward Rocky I veered a little more to the right. This proved to be a clearer path. (Well, clearer is relative) And I actually found a herd path through most of the thick stuff. (Still looking for the super secret path through here.)

Once through the thicker stuff there is a point at which I usually go slightly right or left. This time I'd go to the right, but not before stepping off a four foot ledge. No harm done, just another ass over tea kettle moment.

On top of Rocky I signed in. Once again there was less activity in the register than expected. Although there were recent familiar names.

Upon leaving Rocky, the path taken was off to the left. This was done to hook around the steep drop off. Here is were I made my navigation error for the day. Once hooked around I didn't go very far to the right, but rather started heading down. There was a very nice herd path. One I cant recall ever being on. Perhaps it was the early morning radio show advocating peyote and mescalin that induced me to take it.

After about 30 minutes it seemed that the direction of travel was off. Checking the compass, looking at the map and then consulting the GPS showed the path was going more toward Friday. Looking over the options and since it was early in the day, I figured I'd go up the col between Rocky and Balsam Cap to the height of land.

The GPS showed the height of land to be about 3/4 of a mile away. From the herd path up to the col isn't thick. But it does have larger rocks covered with moss and what I would call duff. During my travels my leg disappeared between some rocks not once, but twice. The 2nd time I twisted it in a rather strange way which buckled my hamstring briefly. But since all hikes in the Catskills are easy, it was no need for concern. (Its only mentioned to add to the word count of the report.)

Once at the height of land, I headed up to Balsam Cap. 2/3 of the way up was easy going (well easy is all relative). The last third was steep, with blow down and no herd path. Nothing terrifying but once again, not the most efficient route if you're in a hurry. (Perhaps I should have consulted the compass, map or GPS, rather than just heading upward?)

Finally reaching the canister, I found that it looked like I just missed Ralph. (Looks like my Ralph detector needs updating.)

At this point there were a few rumbles of thunder, dark clouds and some rain. Nothing too intense. (Well, I did cry briefly but then realized I had my ID, a pound of raw hamburg meat, fire starter, a cell phone, the DEC on speed dial, etc... All of which would have saved me at that moment.)

Contemplating my original plan of going onto Friday, and being disappointed in my navigation from Rocky to Balsam Cap. I figured since I knew the route from Balsam Cap to Friday pretty well (I do?), going back to Rocky to refine my navigation made sense.

I must have entered the sweet spot between Balsam Cap and Rocky because except for the first 15 minutes off of Balsam Cap (during which
one hamstring cramped up, which is unacceptable since it was downhill), the trip back over went very quickly and easily.

Back on Rocky the register was checked, and it showed a rather large group had signed in. Refueling and hydrating, a ten minute break was taken. Then I departed by taking the herd path that goes down to the Neversink. Once at the Neversink, I pumped two Nalgenes worth of water. Then headed down the Neversink.

Once at the tilted Batman bridge over the Neversink, I spotted a group of three heading out. These were the first humans seen for the day. Once back at the lot, there were a few more people relaxing after their hike. Many more vehicles, apparently there was a club hike.

That was the end of the hike. (Well, hikes never end. They are just picked up again at another time.)

Random notes: Bugs were minimal (I've been consuming large amounts of garlic), water plentiful, I got to see some cool rock areas and I didn't meet any of the "little" people from way above.

[Pathgrinder]

Very enjoyable trip report, thanks for sharing. I may be venturing up to Lone & Rocky this week myself so this will be helpful. Glad to hear it's still easy.

[ScAtTeRbOnE]

Nice report, I liked that area when I visited this spring. Most of the "herdpaths" in the Catskills I came across just served to tease and distract me and ultimately disappoint me most of the time. I came across a cut path in the thick of the balsams between Lone and Rocky only to be disappointed as it disappeared quickly. I think if you could really follow these herdpaths well enough they would bring you to OZ or left sock land or something.

[mudhook]

Nice trip and report. There is a good spring at the base of Lone's cone, but no other water until Cornell or Table.
Just remember, herd paths and correctly spelled signs are for 46 er's, no true catskiller uses them. No matter how easy they seem to be.

[Hermit]

I whacked up from the Friday Slide that day.It would have been nice to see you again.No herd paths up that route.

[PA Ridgerunner]

Nice hike! Entertaining report. Need to go that way next time I do Balsam Cap. I didn't know there was an easy way.

[SendHelp]

Originally Posted by ScAtTeRbOnE

Most of the "herdpaths" in the Catskills I came across just served to tease and distract me and ultimately disappoint me most of the time.

I think my trip off of Rocky proved that. Following your own path makes the most sense.

Originally Posted by mudhook

There is a good spring at the base of Lone's cone, but no other water until Cornell or Table.
Just remember, herd paths and correctly spelled signs are for 46 er's, no true catskiller uses them. No matter how easy they seem to be.

Thanks for the tip on the water. I mentioned the herd paths due to the recent proclamation that all Catskill hikes are easy. I wanted to keep that theme so all the really hardcore people stay away. No need for them to get injured and need a helicopter rescue.

Originally Posted by Hermit

I whacked up from the Friday Slide that day.It would have been nice to see you again.No herd paths up that route.

I was hoping to run into you. Although once I arrived on top of Balsam Cap, I was bleeding from several puncture and stab wounds. So I wasn't really presentable. You might have called the EMTs.

Originally Posted by PA Ridgerunner

Nice hike! Entertaining report. Need to go that way next time I do Balsam Cap. I didn't know there was an easy way.

Well, easy is all relative. (There isnt a easy way. At least I dont know of one.) By the end of the hike, I looked like a rabid bobcat had mauled me. And given that its been years since I've had any cramping in my legs, this must have been a more difficult hike. (But lets keep that between you and me.)

[PA Ridgerunner]

Forgot to insert the sarcasm emoticon in my previous post...

[Halia and Flammeus]

That report was a thing of beauty. I loved the part where you just made it longer.

Raw hamburger and the DEC on speed dial was a particularly nice touch.

All hikes in the Catskills ARE easy and take 8 hours. I hope you kept a close eye on your timing.