The Catskill’s Sleeping Lion via Condon Hollow
The Sleeping Lion is a 3391’ (3408’ referenced by some) peak northeast of Halcott Mountain in the Central Catskills. It is also known as Northeast Halcott, but that’s boring, so we’ll use Sleeping Lion. The peak is one of the Catskill 67 and it towers over Deep Notch. On its southeastern face are some “minor” but impressive cliffs that ice climbers use for mostly practice. The peak can be hiked from Deep Notch from RT…
Backpacking the Adirondack’s Dix Range
The Dix Range, peaks associated with Dix Mountain anchor the High Peaks. As one drives the Adirondack Northway from the south one can catch a glimpse of these peaks, especially the crown-like summit of Macomb. Situated south and separated from Marcy and the main jumble of high peaks Dix offers some of the best hiking, overnight or multiday backpacking and views in the Adirondacks and possibly in the Northeast. One can push and “do” the…
The Devil’s Path reopens with short reroute
After a period of closure due to vandalism, the section of Devil’s Path between Pecoy Notch and Twin Mountain Summit is again open for hiking. According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, the trail is open with a short reroute. On the state website they state: “The short reroute on the previously closed section between Twin Mountain Peak and Pecoy Notch Trail provides safe passage for visitors while maintaining the character of the…
Huntersfield Mountain in the Catskills
Although outside the Catskill blueline, in the Huntersfield State Forest, Huntersfield Mountain can stand with the many of the Catskill High Peaks. Its proximity being many miles away from the jumble of 3500 high peaks and standing high above its neighbors at a height of 3,423’ makes Huntersfield look massive. With large ridges that makes an X or cross when looked at from above the footprint of the peak is large. This was a “recovery…
Devil’s Path temporarily closed due to vandalism
See update on this closure. The NYSDEC has announced on its web site a section of Devil’s Path is closed until further notice due to vandalism. The closure is from Pecoy Notch to the summit of Twin Mountain. This act comes not long after another unlawful event of illegal blazing on Cascade Mountain in the Adirondacks and a wildfire at 3,100′ on Blackhead Mountain’s in the Catskills due to an unattended/abandon campfire. Those events did…