Devil's Path Jaunt - Catskill Mountains, NY - 1/23/11
Considering the bitterly cold temperatures on our latest visit to the Catskills, I just wasn't up for much besides staying in and curling up by the fire. However Moe managed to spend about half a day skiing at Hunter Mountain (yeah connections to get in!) and I didn't want to spend the entire weekend doing absolutely nothing. So I suited up and headed up the Devil's Path from Prediger Road with Maisy. It was in the low single digits, though thankfully there wasn't much of a breeze.
The woods right now are beautiful. The ice from last week's storm is still on the trees and then the snow from Friday's storm is on top of that. So you have the sun reflecting off all the snow and through all the ice. Plus there's about 2 feet of snow on the ground, so it's like a winter wonderland.
Maisy and I hiked up from the parking lot to the Trail Junction and then headed about another half a mile up the Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail to where it leaves the old High Bridge Road and starts climbing up into the notch. The trail was well packed so it was an easy walk without crampons or snowshoes.
I think Maisy got a bit cold part of the way, but she started running around a bit more and I had her playing a bit and she was fine. Though she curled up in front of the woodstove when we got back to the house.
Not a big hike or anything, but was nice to get outside and then come back inside and warm up. I've never been much of a frigid weather kind of outdoor guy. I've done it, but I'd much rather be warm inside and then be outside on days when it's not quite so frigid.
Hunter Mountain
Catskills
Catskill Hiking
Need a hiking map for your hikes in the Catskills? We recommend the Trail Conference's Catskills Trails 6-Map Set
. These maps are the best available for hiking and outdoor adventures in the Catskills and the Catskill Park. The Catskill Center offers a regional map of the Catskills that provides an excellent overview of the region, it's roadways, attractions and trails. National Geographic Trails Illustrated also produces a map for the region.
The woods right now are beautiful. The ice from last week's storm is still on the trees and then the snow from Friday's storm is on top of that. So you have the sun reflecting off all the snow and through all the ice. Plus there's about 2 feet of snow on the ground, so it's like a winter wonderland.
Maisy and I hiked up from the parking lot to the Trail Junction and then headed about another half a mile up the Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail to where it leaves the old High Bridge Road and starts climbing up into the notch. The trail was well packed so it was an easy walk without crampons or snowshoes.
I think Maisy got a bit cold part of the way, but she started running around a bit more and I had her playing a bit and she was fine. Though she curled up in front of the woodstove when we got back to the house.
Not a big hike or anything, but was nice to get outside and then come back inside and warm up. I've never been much of a frigid weather kind of outdoor guy. I've done it, but I'd much rather be warm inside and then be outside on days when it's not quite so frigid.
Hunter Mountain
Catskills
Catskill Hiking
Need more information on hiking and planning your
trips to the Catskills and the Catskill Park?
Read up on the Catskill Park at our Catskill Mountains Information Page for hikes, advice, travel and planning information. We have a Guide to Hiking in the Catskills available and on our sister site, ReviewThis is a Guide to visiting the Catskill Park.
Need a hiking map for your hikes in the Catskills? We recommend the Trail Conference's Catskills Trails 6-Map Set
. These maps are the best available for hiking and outdoor adventures in the Catskills and the Catskill Park. The Catskill Center offers a regional map of the Catskills that provides an excellent overview of the region, it's roadways, attractions and trails. National Geographic Trails Illustrated also produces a map for the region.
How about a guidebook? Both AMC
and ADK
publish trail guides to the Catskill Region and the Adventures in the Outdoors Bookstore carries many more books and maps that will help you as you hike and explore the Catskill Mountains region.
and ADK publish trail guides to the Catskill Region and the Adventures in the Outdoors Bookstore carries many more books and maps that will help you as you hike and explore the Catskill Mountains region.
If you are looking for more information about the extensive history of the Catskill Mountains and the Catskill Park, we would suggest reading The Catskills, From Wilderness to Woodstock and The Catskill Park, Inside the Blue Line. For the most comprehensive natural history of the Catskill Park and the Forests of the Catskill region, we recommend reading The Catskill Forest, a History by Michael Kudish.
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