Clearing Some Old Debris - On Two Levels!

mountainmeijin · 06-29-2009, 03:31 AM

This Saturday I made my first trail maintenance trip along the section I've adopted of the Mongaup-Hardenburgh trail. The intent of this was merely clearing of old debris that had fallen, and survey of the trail to determine what cutting would need to be done eventually. Doug Bowers accompanied me for the section.

Funny thing is, we discovered that a group from the ADK club had signed in just before us to do a cutting trip and we overtook them working. Talk about serendipity! We did our best to help clear away their cuttings, and empathized with the poor girl tasked with breaking up a 30" thick log with an ax.

In any case, this shortened the amount of work that needed to be done on this section. On the eastern summit of Mongaup Mountain, Doug turned around, but asked me if I'd be willing to continue the rest of the 10-mile loop to survey the remainder of the trails in the area. I agreed, and the clouds opened up soon after, to my delight as it afforded me a perfect backdrop to act like a giddy idiot and sing boisterously as a marched along in a downpour.

The red-marked trail (I forget the name) that leads down from Beaver Kill Ridge to join the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail near Flugertown Road was still very grown in. Last summer, the whole hike along the ridge was a fight through head-high ferns and nettles...this year it's down to chest high in the worst place, and there's still plenty of downed wood. I'm going to talk more with Doug Bowers and the local rangers to see if I might not do a maintenance trip along that trail as well. If so, I might be looking for some willing recruits to help. Anyone know where I can find a good machete?

I like this area quite a bit...there aren't many real mountain views, but it's about as out-of-the-way as you can get in the Catskills. This southwestern corner of the Cats' has always attracted me because of its remoteness.

Meanwhile, I've got lots of pictures to get posted, but I won't block up the boards with my massive backlog of trip reports. I'm sorry for being absent so much from the forums.

It's been a busy few months, what with college graduation, taking on lots of extra hours at work and other such things. I'm making a point to get out more often now that I can.

Here's a big album of pictures over the spring: http://community.webshots.com/album/...host=community

It includes Kaaterskill Falls, the Escarpment, Wittenberg, as well as a few from Saturday's trip.

Good to be back in action!

Snickers · 06-29-2009, 06:33 AM

Nice report Peter and thanks for the trail maintenance. Give a shout when you are going out, if I am available I would love to join you.

That is a beautiful area out there, I too have been heading over that way to explore around. We were out at Alder Lake this weekend and had a great time paddling around the lake.

Congratulations on graduating college!!!!!!

Happy Trails - Cindy

Rockledge · 06-29-2009, 09:55 AM

Big congrats on the graduation Peter.

Nice report. I need to head over and check out that area. Let me know if you need some help on your next outing. I'd be happy to lend a hand if I can make it. I'd try an Army/Navy store, if you can find one, for a machete. I have one that you are welcome to borrow.

mountainmeijin · 06-30-2009, 12:13 AM

Thanks a bunch, both of you guys. If I get the go-ahead for a mission on the red trail I'll probably need to recruit an army of helpers. The ridge is heavily overgrown for over a mile.

Bill: I might have to take you up on your kind offer, but I'd prefer not to impose on you. I know there's at least one military goods store in Poughkeepsie, so I'll be sure to pay a visit.

Jay H · 06-30-2009, 07:34 AM

Harborfreight has a really cheap machete.. BTW, I think it's like $5

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94154

Probably wont survive the jungles of Borneo, but may last for a couple trips in the Catskills....

Just post the plans and keep us all in the loop..

Jay

mountainmeijin · 07-01-2009, 01:41 AM

Yeesh, wish'd I'd checked out that site before I bought one for $35 today.

Oh, well, mine's got a longer blade and serrations. And a fully enclosed grip, so it feels like you're swinging a cutlass.

Jay H · 07-01-2009, 06:52 AM

Well, you get what you pay for, usually at HF, their stuff isn't truly quality so if you plan on using it for a long time, then you probably got a much nicer one. A serrated/scallopped edge will stay sharper longer just because it will be prone to less dings when compared to a straight edge.

Jay

06-29-2009, 03:31 AM	#1
mountainmeijin CANNONBALL!!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 846	Clearing Some Old Debris - On Two Levels! This Saturday I made my first trail maintenance trip along the section I've adopted of the Mongaup-Hardenburgh trail. The intent of this was merely clearing of old debris that had fallen, and survey of the trail to determine what cutting would need to be done eventually. Doug Bowers accompanied me for the section. Funny thing is, we discovered that a group from the ADK club had signed in just before us to do a cutting trip and we overtook them working. Talk about serendipity! We did our best to help clear away their cuttings, and empathized with the poor girl tasked with breaking up a 30" thick log with an ax. In any case, this shortened the amount of work that needed to be done on this section. On the eastern summit of Mongaup Mountain, Doug turned around, but asked me if I'd be willing to continue the rest of the 10-mile loop to survey the remainder of the trails in the area. I agreed, and the clouds opened up soon after, to my delight as it afforded me a perfect backdrop to act like a giddy idiot and sing boisterously as a marched along in a downpour. The red-marked trail (I forget the name) that leads down from Beaver Kill Ridge to join the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail near Flugertown Road was still very grown in. Last summer, the whole hike along the ridge was a fight through head-high ferns and nettles...this year it's down to chest high in the worst place, and there's still plenty of downed wood. I'm going to talk more with Doug Bowers and the local rangers to see if I might not do a maintenance trip along that trail as well. If so, I might be looking for some willing recruits to help. Anyone know where I can find a good machete? I like this area quite a bit...there aren't many real mountain views, but it's about as out-of-the-way as you can get in the Catskills. This southwestern corner of the Cats' has always attracted me because of its remoteness. Meanwhile, I've got lots of pictures to get posted, but I won't block up the boards with my massive backlog of trip reports. I'm sorry for being absent so much from the forums. It's been a busy few months, what with college graduation, taking on lots of extra hours at work and other such things. I'm making a point to get out more often now that I can. Here's a big album of pictures over the spring: http://community.webshots.com/album/...host=community It includes Kaaterskill Falls, the Escarpment, Wittenberg, as well as a few from Saturday's trip. Good to be back in action! __________________ молоко хорошо, ну а водка ещё лучше.

06-29-2009, 06:33 AM	#2
Snickers Commander Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Keeseville, NY Posts: 3,643	Nice report Peter and thanks for the trail maintenance. Give a shout when you are going out, if I am available I would love to join you. That is a beautiful area out there, I too have been heading over that way to explore around. We were out at Alder Lake this weekend and had a great time paddling around the lake. Congratulations on graduating college!!!!!! Happy Trails - Cindy __________________ Snickers I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. -Maya Angelou

06-29-2009, 09:55 AM	#3
Rockledge Where's the Beast? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cedar Grove Posts: 1,409	Big congrats on the graduation Peter. Nice report. I need to head over and check out that area. Let me know if you need some help on your next outing. I'd be happy to lend a hand if I can make it. I'd try an Army/Navy store, if you can find one, for a machete. I have one that you are welcome to borrow. __________________ Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very fast.~Thomas Jefferson Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.~Steven Wright

06-30-2009, 12:13 AM	#4
mountainmeijin CANNONBALL!!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 846	Thanks a bunch, both of you guys. If I get the go-ahead for a mission on the red trail I'll probably need to recruit an army of helpers. The ridge is heavily overgrown for over a mile. Bill: I might have to take you up on your kind offer, but I'd prefer not to impose on you. I know there's at least one military goods store in Poughkeepsie, so I'll be sure to pay a visit. __________________ молоко хорошо, ну а водка ещё лучше.

06-30-2009, 07:34 AM	#5
Jay H Ice Cream Time Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsfield, MA Posts: 6,795	Harborfreight has a really cheap machete.. BTW, I think it's like $5 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94154 Probably wont survive the jungles of Borneo, but may last for a couple trips in the Catskills.... Just post the plans and keep us all in the loop.. 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

07-01-2009, 01:41 AM	#6
mountainmeijin CANNONBALL!!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 846	Yeesh, wish'd I'd checked out that site before I bought one for $35 today. Oh, well, mine's got a longer blade and serrations. And a fully enclosed grip, so it feels like you're swinging a cutlass. __________________ молоко хорошо, ну а водка ещё лучше.

07-01-2009, 06:52 AM	#7
Jay H Ice Cream Time Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsfield, MA Posts: 6,795	Well, you get what you pay for, usually at HF, their stuff isn't truly quality so if you plan on using it for a long time, then you probably got a much nicer one. A serrated/scallopped edge will stay sharper longer just because it will be prone to less dings when compared to a straight 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

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