Catskill Divide attempt of Slide 9/22

[rockysummit]

After what seems like a million trips up Slide Mountain from Slide Mtn Rd, I finally started up a route that I've thought about for many years. Getting to 37 or 3800' up the Burroughs Trail, and looking to the left side (north) is Giant Ledge and the evergreen covered ridge that follows all the way to Slide. After recent years of blowdown, this wild area is more easily seen. I've always wanted to hike this ridge and follow a route from Giant Ledge without heading to the road in between. So, Saturday was the day to try...Parking near Winnisook Lake, I headed towards Giant Ledge on the unmarked woodsroad/trail. After about a mile or so and crossing the drainage where a wooden bridge was many years ago, I figured I'd start my bushwack heading east and up. No prickers or problems to 2900'. Now on the ridge I headed up to the 3644' peak (Winnisook Mtn?) without any signs of humans except for a very old State Land sign that was almost completely eaten by porkies! I then must have come up on the private area of the mountain, and a short trail that lead me to a small (20ft high) tower of some kind (?). Looked fairly new with a ladder nearby and solar panels attached. Very surprised to find on this very remote route that would run along the Catskill Divide in very dense forest. I knew following the ridge the rest of the way was going to be the fun part... Wow!!! What a beautiful, healthy, dense evergreen forest! Extremely difficult without many breaks. I don't know if I was just lucky, and found THE most difficult area, but I think this was the thickest and roughest that I've been to in these mountains. After bleeding and zig-zagging along the ridge for about 2 hours, and being socked in with mist and drizzle, I had enough. It was time to head down to around 3400' to more of a mixed forest and a less punishing area... I did find some very pretty areas with some fall colors along the 34-3500' contour as I headed to the unmarked Winnisook Trail and down to the Slide Mtn PA... I got so close but not close enough, but I'm not done with this yet. Another trip with goggles, a smaller pack, some kind of armor, following closer to the eastern edge of the ridge, may do the trick! If anyone's interested, let me know. Some pics tomorrow.

[Mark Schaefer]

Originally Posted by rockysummit

Now on the ridge I headed up to the 3644' peak (Winnisook Mtn?) without any signs of humans except for a very old State Land sign that was almost completely eaten by porkies! I then must have come up on the private area of the mountain, and a short trail that lead me to a small (20ft high) tower of some kind (?). Looked fairly new with a ladder nearby and solar panels attached. Very surprised to find on this very remote route that would run along the Catskill Divide in very dense forest.

The authors of the Catskill 3000' list of 98 peaks put the "(Winnisook Lake)" label on the 3260' peak on the Catskill Divide west of Winnisook Lake.

On the Catskill HH DQ list I labled the 3640' summit you passed as "(NW Slide)". It did not make the HH list because it only has an 80' col rise from Slide Mt. The USGS map and NY/NJ map #42 show that this summit is on the Winnisook Lake Club property, but very near the state land boundary. In such a remote location it is doubtful that the property line is marked.

Woodstrider told me that she once heard a name for this ridge from one of the DEC rangers, but she could not remember the name. I do remember seeing a trip report of a family hike over the same route you were attempting. I believe it was posted by Jeff Senterman (one of Pete's sons), and Pete was also on the hike. It was on a personal home page, not a hiking forum. The report included some photos of the equipment you found, and it was described as part of a weather station. The Slide Mountain weather station is on the Club's lands, but near the lake. Perhaps this is some additional sensory equipment for higher elevation readings. That report does not appear to be online currently. Pete is good about answering email, and may be able to provide more detail. He is the Catskill trail maintenance coordinator for the NY/NJ TC. I can send you his email address in a PM if you need it.

[rockysummit]

Hey Mark, I knew you would have some info for me. I didn't remember seeing any trip reports for this one, so I figured I'd just wing it. If you could PM me that would be great. I appreciate it. I do plan to do this again real soon. Here are some pics http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/5...vhost=outdoors

[TFR]

Tony: Nice Hike idea!

Mark: Once again, a fascinating addition of information!

This is totally off topic, but I want to go up one of the drainages / small slide (?) that starts up the North side of Plateau. Anyone have any info on that side of the mountain? Come to think of it, I'll bet PS does!

[Jay H]

Would be nice if that weather station was online!

When I saw the catskill divide, I thought you went from Wood Hull->Van Wyck->Table->Lone->Rocky->BC->Friday->Cornell and then to Slide...



There's also a nice way to do Giant/Panther from Woodland Valley going up Fork Ridge...

[rockysummit]

Forked Ridge is another to do for me. I bushwacked a couple times in winter to the clearing east of Panther and then back below the cliffs of Giant ledge.

[billandjudy]

Nice pics Tony--Especially the last one--great lighting--I thought you had taken a pic of a bear in the ferns--but then I saw the nalgene Did you do a GPS route?

[rockysummit]

Hey Bill, pretty scary, huh?! No I don't use a GPS. I do have an older one that my son would use but it's been a while. Not sure of it's capabilities. Plus I have more fun playing games with the camera stuff!

[mudhook]

Is this that ridge we both agreed looked wilder than Shemps hair?
Must be your hoof is better.

[rockysummit]

Soint'ly...the hoof and the hair! Actually the heel is on and off. I'm trying to wait a couple more weeks till the colors are gone, or my foot is gone, before I go back to the Dr. I'd like to do this hike again after the leaves are gone if you're interested.

[coldfeet]

Tony, nice pics!...liked the colors of the trees....hope your heel gets better....maybe if your at MAGIC we can go somewhere that your heel and my knee can handle....

[rockysummit]

Hey guys, thanks. My heel's been feeling pretty good, for the most part. Has it's days I guess. Did a loop saturday of Balsam and Sherrill and back to Rt.42. Feeling good today! Look forward to seeing you guys soon.
-Tony