Overlook Mt. 4-15-06

[MattC]

I took it easy this weekend in spite of the beautiful weather. I spent most of Saturday practicing jazz guitar stuff, but decided I had to get outside at some point. Some of my friends had a gig up at the Bearsville Cafe, near Woodstock, and they asked if I wanted to come up there with them. So, I got dropped off at the Meads Mt. Rd. trailhead around 5:40 or so and zipped up and down while they were doing their soundcheck.

The hike was even easier than I remembered. Not a trace of snow or ice, almost no mud either. I made the summit in about 50 minutes or so. Had dinner on the south facing ledges, looking out over the Ashokan Reservoir and Esopus Valley towards the Shawangunks. I continued along the little herd path to where the ledges face more east and gazed out towards the Hudson, Kingston and the Rhinecliff Bridge. Then up to the actual peak where I climbed a little ways up the tower to look at everything else. The Devil's Path, Kaaterskill HP, the Blackheads, the southern peaks, the whole gang was there. Overlook has one of those viewsheds that really ties the whole region together nicely.

I didn't want to leave too early since my ride wouldn't be back for a while, so I poked around the summit a bit, hoping to see a timber rattler or something.
No luck on that, but I did note that there are some huge talus blocks over on the west side of the summit. There were soda and beer bottles left on and around the ranger cabin-obviously it's the ranger's job to clean up after lazy hikers. I sighed and bagged 'em up to pack 'em out. I figured the half bottle of Pepsi might have tempted a local bear to start visiting the cabin porch. Geez, wouldn't that make a cute commercial?

I lingered until the sun was just about to drop behind the peaks, then started down. I stopped for quick look in the Mountain House ruin and continued on, wondering if I would have been creeped out if I waited until full dark. About halfway down, I flushed a grouse that was about a yard away from my feet over in the drainage ditch. That'll wake you up! The rest was uneventful except for bird calls and spring peepers filling my ears. Back at Meads by about 8:10. Sat around for a few minutes, thought about joining the Monastery, but instead decided to start walking down the road. Probably made a half mile or so when my ride appeared. We headed down to Bearsville where I spent the rest of the night with good friends listening to their music and drinking Bass Ale.

I'm often being pulled back and forth by hiking and music. Nice to have my cake and eat it too, as I did this past Saturday. The beer is usually present regardless.

Matt

[rockysummit]

Sounds like a great weekend Matt. I love those ledges and views off the main trail/road. I remember, years ago always traveling the road up, not knowing of the side trail. Really changes the whole feel of the mountain.

[daxs]

Any interesting head gear worn on this hike Ooh La La??

[Mark Schaefer]

Overlook from Meads is a great short hike. Perfect for when you have just a short period of time to hike. It is also easy to hike down that wide road after sunset.

I suspect you arrived after the rattlers' bed time. They are probably stirring about on these warm spring days, but head back into their dens when the temperatures begin to drop. I have also seen large garter snakes around the hotel ruins, and some report seeing timber rattlesnakes there also.

Thanks for the garbage cleanup, and the bruin dentists also thank you. That could also be another good Smoky TV PSA. "And remember, only you can prevent tooth decay in bears."

[Tmax]

Sounds like a nice day Matt. Those mellow solitude hikes are good for the soul...