Catskills, Hunter Mountain Via Spruceton Trail, 4 Miles RT, Max Elevation 3,362', May 30, 2026

May 31, 2026

We left Friday afternoon to spend the weekend in the Catskills. This was my first time staying at the Spruceton Inn in the hamlet of West Kill. The Inn is near Hunter Mountain off Spruceton Road and there’s not much nearby except for the West Kill Brewery which was just perfect. May 30th was our official wedding anniversary of 12 years, and it was lovely being in the Catskills on our special day.

After checking into the room, we walked the grounds and sat by the West Kill Creek. It was only the two of us so we sat for a while just listening to the flow of the water and the wind. It was cloudy and overcast and a little bit chilly. We hadn’t eaten anything yet so we walked up Spruceton Road to the West Kill Brewery where we had IPAs on tap and bite to eat. We walked back to the Inn and sat by the creek where we saw two beavers swim down stream on the West Kill. I also saw my first Belted Kingfisher. Later, as the sun was beginning to set, we explored the big barn. There’s a library full of books you can borrow for as long as you wish, so I chose one and started to read. The barn had three relaxing rope swings to sit in, so I sat on one of the swings and read until the light began to fade and the sun started to set. Barn swallows flew in and out of the barn, and I watched the beautiful hues of light change from golden orange to a deep shade of blue fading over the mountain. Night arrived. The red-winged black birds got quiet, but the sound of spring peppers in the nearby pond continued throughout the evening. I was feeling sleepy and relaxed, but as a bright full moon rose up over the mountain, I felt a surge of energy. We built a fire right next to the creek and sat quietly enjoying the sound of the water, the crackle and warmth of the fire and the bright glow of the full moon. That evening we slept with the curtains open in our room and let the moonlight spill out across the bed; a silhouette of pine trees outlining the top of the mountain. The next morning we woke at sunrise. It was cloudy, cold and windy. It started to rain just before 6 am. We got in the car and headed up Spruceton Road to the trailhead for Hunter Mountain. It was 42 degrees at the base of the mountain, and as we climbed closer to the junction for the John Robb Lean-to, it started to rain harder. The wind was getting stronger and the temperature was dropping. We decided to turn around and head back to the Inn instead of pushing on towards the summit. Once back at the Inn, we cleaned up then drove into Tannersville for breakfast at Maggie’s Crooked Cafe. She remembered us from the last time we were there in April. We had hot coffee, ate homemade breakfast and then stopped at Camp Catskill to check out the outdoor gear. Before heading back to the Inn, we made one last stop at Fred’s donuts. Back at the Inn, we took a good nap. The sun was starting to come out by afternoon and you could barely tell just how cold, wet and windy it had been earlier. Mountains make their own weather, so I was not surprised. It turned out to be a gorgeous day. We walked to West Kill Brewery, had a few IPAs and some food before heading back to the Spruceton Inn to enjoy the rest of the evening. The next morning we were up early again. We we built a fire and sat in the sunshine watching and listening to all the birds. It was a lovely way to wrap up the weekend before heading back to the city.

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Montauk, New York, Montauk Point, Hither Hills State Park, Shadmoor State Park, May 16 & 17, 2026

May 17, 2026

This was my first time visiting Montauk, the furthest point on the South Fork at the eastern end of Long Island. I’d done my research and knew I wanted to hike the Walking Dunes Trail at Hither Hills State Park. From there we’d continue to drive east on the peninsula to hike the bluffs and see the hoodoos in Shadmoor State Park. I figured we’d save the lighthouse at Montauk Point for last since that would be a more populated area, and I always look for places with fewer people.

We drove through the Hamptons along Route 27. It was just as I’d imagined, with big homes and designer shops. As we got closer to the small fishing village of Montauk, the space on either side of the highway opened up to expansive state park land. I immediately felt a rush of excitement seeing the open, wild space.

We made a quick change of plans and decided to go to Montauk Point first then backtrack to the other parks. Montauk Point was crowded, but we parked the car, got out, and started walking toward the beach and the lighthouse. It was a Saturday afternoon, and it was busy with people. I snapped a few photos of the historic lighthouse then got back in the car to head to Hither Hills.

We turned off Route 27 onto Napeague Harbor Road and parked the car at the end. There’s a sign here directing you to the Walking Dunes Trail. The dunes are called walking dunes because they shift about three and a half feet each year due to the strong winds out of the northwest which push the dunes southwest. The northwest winds are funneled in between Springs (to the west) and Gardiner’s Island (to the north) causing a strong funneling effect that moves the dunes over the forest. I observed pitch pine and oak trees that appeared stunted and short, but the trees have been buried almost completely by the dunes. Eventually, these trees will be covered completely. It was impressive.

After our hike through the dunes, which was just a short loop, the trail brought us out to Iodine Beach at Napeague Harbor. The beach has reddish colored sand unlike I’d ever seen. Immediately we saw lots of shorebirds wading and feeding along the shore. There were only a couple of surfers on the beach, and I knew this was exactly where I wanted to spend my time.

As we walked along the red sand, I noticed something up ahead on the beach that looked like a large shell. As we approached, we realized it was a horseshoe crab. I thought it was dead, but suddenly the legs moved. It had been flipped over by the waves when it washed ashore with the tide. We flipped it over and it began to walk away. I was fascinated. I’d never seen one o these amazing creatures before. Further ahead we found three more, all of which had also been flipped over and stranded on their backs, so we saved them too. I later went on to research how important horseshoe crabs are to the shorebirds and also how humans are harvesting them for use in pharmaceuticals (which was rather disturbing so you can google that if you’re interested.)

We continued to walk along the beach and I photographed piping plovers, black-bellied plovers, willets, and sanderlings. Gulls played on the thermals in the sky and an osprey flew overhead. I photographed the shells and the rocks and the glistening waves of Napeague Harbor. It was getting to be late afternoon, so we turned around and started to head back to the car. Along the way, we noticed that the horseshoe crabs, all but one, had returned to the sea. That one, unfortunately, didn’t make it.

We drove back to the village of Montauk, checked into our hotel, and had lunch; steamed clams and mussels at one of the local restaurants. There was a music festival in town, so it was a little too hectic for me, but it is a tourist town afterall, so I knew what I was getting myself into. Thankfully, our hotel was quiet, with a fire pit outside, and the innkeeper was super sweet. The hotel had a bottle of champagne waiting for us in the room since we are celebrating our 12-year anniversary this month, and the reason we decided to make it an overnight stay in Montauk.

We sat by the fire pit drinking champagne in the late afternoon sun. Later that night we walked along the beach listening to the crashing waves and looking out into the darkness across the vast Atlantic. There were small groups of people warming themselves by bonfires in the chilly ocean air. Both of us slept very well that night, and I dreamed of horseshoe crabs and sea creatures.

The next morning we woke up super early with the sun around 5:30 am. We actually missed sunrise, but it was still early enough to get out and enjoy nature before people started waking up. We headed to Shadmoor State Park and walked a wooded trail that took us straight to the top of the bluffs where we had impressive views of the hoodoos, rock formations carved by powerful ocean waves. The sea glistened in the morning sunlight as we looked out over the bluffs at flock of black scoters bobbing up and down on the waves. They looked perfectly at ease out there, moving in rhythm with the swell of the waves.

Shadmoor State Park is a hotspot for birding. I spotted and photographed my first yellow warbler. There were plenty of eastern towhees, catbirds, and I heard more prairie warblers although, again, I wasn’t able to see one.

After our walk we headed back to town and had breakfast at Bird on the Roof, the restaurant run by Daunt’s Albatross, the motel where we were staying. We sat outside sipping coffee, eating blueberry pancakes and enjoying the morning sunlight and the salty ocean air. It was still very early, so after breakfast we walked across the street to the beach. We made our way toward the hoodoos, only this time we were below them and could view them from a different perspective. This view was even more impressive. We saw bank swallows flying in and out of burrows they had dug directly into the cliffs, and the area was fenced off so the swallows would not be disturbed. We sat for a minute and I took off my hiking boots and let the cold Atlantic wash over my feet. I hadn’t done that since I was a kid. We both walked back barefoot in the sand, connecting with the earth and the waves and the wind. My hair was brushed with sea salt, and it felt like a completely different kind of freedom and expansiveness than what I feel in a mountain wilderness environment. I carried that feeling with me after I got back to the city. It was an amazing trip.

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Sunken Meadow State Park, Walking the Dunes, Salt Marsh & the Sea, May 9, 2026

May 09, 2026

Saturday morning we left the apartment early to catch the bus to Central Park. However, it was my husband’s idea to shift plans. We were only a block away, so we headed back, got the car, and drove out to Long Island to Sunken Meadow instead.

I was so glad we decided to return to the ocean. I’ve been thinking about it ever since our first trip. We had such a great experience the last time, and this visit was even better. It was low tide, and there was so much activity in the muddy salt marshes. We saw fiddler crabs and ghost crabs, and at one point a large gull dove into the marsh and pulled out a huge bristle worm which was something I had never even heard of before.

We saw so many shorebirds today, including Common Terns, Snowy Egrets and Great Egrets, Greater Yellowlegs, and many gulls. We also spotted Osprey, Mute Swans, Canada Geese, and many Brants. I could hear Prairie Warblers too, although I still have yet to actually see one.

We mostly hiked through the dunes and along the salt marsh before circling back along the shore of Long Island Sound. I spent time observing different seaweeds and coastal plants, along with shells covered in barnacles and sea snails. The wind was starting to pick up, and in the distance I could see dark clouds rolling in. The birds seemed to disappear, and the shoreline grew silent except for the crashing waves. Eventually, the sky opened up to a steady rain.

As we headed back toward the parking area, an Osprey flew overhead carrying a fish. There wasn’t another soul on the beach at that point. It was just us and the wildlife. There was something mystical about standing there in the rain by the ocean, surrounded only by the sound of the waves, the marshes, and the sea life. It felt wild and fresh and ethereal in a way that stayed with me long after we left the shore.

On the way home we found a small local seafood market called Northport Fish & Lobster just a short drive from Sunken Meadow. The market has seating in the back, so we stopped for a bite. My husband ordered the catch of the day, which had literally been caught that morning by the owner’s son. I had the lobster roll. Everything was perfect. We also brought home baked clams and New England clam chowder to enjoy a taste of the sea for later.

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Sunken Meadow State Park, Long Island Sound, Kings Park, New York, Sunken Meadow Trail, Salt Marshes & Dunes, April 18, 2026

April 18, 2026

This past Saturday we took another ride out to Long Island. This time to the sea. The last time I was at the ocean I was on the beaches of Malibu when I lived in LA. But I didn’t go to the ocean very often. It just wasn’t my thing. But lately, something has been calling me to explore nature here. There is so much that’s new to me; salt marshes, dunes and sandy trails on the bluffs, not to mention the shorebirds and mysteries within the sea itself. I’d done some research and it seemed Sunken Meadow State Park would be a fairly short ride from Manhattan to seek out the environment I was interested in exploring. As we drove closer to Long Island Sound, the air became cooler, more breezy and a marine layer lingered in the air. It never occurred to me that the east coast had a marine layer. I guess I just never really thought about it sine watching the weather reports on KTLA.

We parked the car and walked across a boardwalk towards the ocean. There were barely any people here since it is still off-season. I imagine this will all change in a few months. We walked along the shore and I remembered how difficult it is walking through sand. Up ahead were the dunes. There was a path leading up to them, so we followed it. Here we discovered many birds including a very chatty brown thrasher. This world seemed very different as I walked around and listened for birds. On the other side of the dunes was Sunken Meadow Creek. Here an osprey flew back and forth feeding chicks high up in a nest. I’d never seen them so close before, and they didn’t seem bothered by our presence. As I walked along Sunken Meadow Creek I took photos of the different types of rocks, shells, plants and grasses. I noticed mussels in the sandy mud which I later learned are Ribbed Mussels and not the ones humans typically eat. Those are Blue Mussels. Next, we crossed the bridge over the creek onto the Sunken Meadow trail. This trail took us through a wooded area along the top of the bluffs overlooking Long Island Sound. It was such a beautiful trail and we were able to see a different view of the ocean walking along the edge of the bluffs. When we finished the loop, I wanted to take one more walk around the dunes and back across the beach near the ocean. There was an area roped off to project shore birds, Piping Plover and Least Tern. Just as we were getting closer to the boardwalk, a male Piping Plover darted across the sand. It was such a treat to see one of these endangered birds.

We had a lovely day, and the fresh sea air was something special. I can’t wait to come back and explore again.

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Spring Morning at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, April 12, 2026

April 12, 2026

Today we revisited one of my favorite nature preserves in Pennsylvania, Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary. I got to know this place very well in the few years I lived in Pennsylvania. It was my quiet place and a place to ground myself and connect with nature and the local land. I was still quite foreign to the East Coast landscape when I moved from Los Angeles, but I learned so much from Mariton.

I visited regularly through all seasons. It was where I learned the rhythm of seasonal change; the East Coast wildflowers, trees, and local plants. I learned the local birds, and the ones that migrated through in spring and September. I experienced the heavy, humid air of summer, falling rain, and the rolling sound of thunder just before a storm. In the fall, I witnessed the vibrant colors of autumn and felt the sadness of saying goodbye to the trees as they prepared for winter slumber. I felt the stillness and peaceful silence of a soft snowfall on the forest floor. I felt the damp bone-chilling cold of a gray winter day. But there was always the promise of rebirth in spring, and that’s what I experienced today, on this beautiful morning, walking in the sunshine that warmed my skin.

As I began my walk along the main trail, I first noticed a small red squirrel running up a tree. I spotted bluebells, some of the first flowers of spring and passed the trillium in the same spot I remembered, though they hadn’t yet flowered. As I continued down the path, I noticed Dutchman’s breeches and the abundant mayapples that return each year along the woodland trails. There were buds on the spicebush and the tall, stately rhododendrons.

I walked to the bench just before the descent to Chimney Rock and sat for a while, reflecting. When I was ready to move on, I noticed a patch of bloodroot. Ferns were unfurling their fiddleheads, preparing to become elegant leaves. Then I saw one of the first butterflies of spring, likely an azure. Its bright blue wings caught my eye as it perched in the leaf litter, still long enough for me to take a photo.

I saw more wildflowers; rue anemone, blue violet, and periwinkle. I passed turkey tail mushrooms and walked through stands of spruce and white pine. Ahead on the trail, a hermit thrush foraged on the ground. Soon, the wood thrushes and ovenbirds will arrive.

I finished my walk back at the main lot feeling relaxed and satisfied. It felt so nice to reconnect with this beautiful space, the land, and all of its plants, trees, birds, and animals.

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Catskills, Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower via Dry Brook Ridge, 6 Miles RT, 1,197' +/-, Max Elevation, 3,723', April 8, 2026

April 08, 2026

We took some time off this week to leave the city and spend a few days midweek in the Catskills. The first day the weather was wild. The sun was shining, but it flurried on and off all day and the winds were crazy. I wasn’t planning much for day one since we were staying at a beautiful cabin called “The Raven” at Hotel Mountain Brook. The forecast called for warmer weather on Wednesday and without the wind.

We took our time waking up in the cabin, had breakfast in the lodge, and then headed to the trailhead for Balsam Lake Mountain from Mill Brook Road. We planned to hike the Dry Brook Ridge Trail to the fire tower on the summit. We did this hike in October of last year, and while the last quarter mile gets a little steep, it’s a pretty mellow hike overall without rock scrambles and not too much intense elevation.

The morning started off a little chilly; perfect hiking weather. There was a light dusting of snow, patches of melting ice, and some muddy sections as we made our way up the wide trail. When we reached the junction toward the fire tower and entered the beautiful balsam fir forest, the trail began to steepen. Closer to the summit, the level sections had more ice with a dusting of snow. We bare-booted all the way up but made a mental note to put on microspikes for the way down.

There were two other hikers at the summit when we arrived, but they were already heading out. We had the top of the mountain to ourselves. It was so quiet and peaceful. I climbed up the tower to take some photos. It was a little windy, but overall pretty calm. We hung out for a while, just basking in the sun, listening to the stillness. A raven passed overhead, croaking as it flew by. On the way down, we spotted two more flying in tandem, the way they do.

It was such a satisfying day. We took our time, no rush to be anywhere, just heading back to the cabin to sit by the fire and spend the rest of the evening in that beautiful space. I love the Catskills and feel so grateful they’re so close to the city, making it so easy to get away for a few days to unwind and disconnect.

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Long Island Pine Barrens, Sears Bellows County Park, April 5, 2026

April 05, 2026

We took a drive out to Long Island specifically to explore the Long Island Pine Barrens. I had visited the New Jersey Pine Barrens before, but had recently learned about this stretch of protected landscape on Long Island. The ecosystem here is incredibly diverse with wetlands, marshes, bogs, red maple swamps, and rare Atlantic white cedar swamps. It’s also an excellent area for birding.

There are several preserves scattered across the island, and our plan was to start at Sears Bellows County Park to get our bearings, then continue on to Hubbard County Park to experience the ecological transition where the “pines meet the sea.”

We parked at Sears Bellows and walked down toward Bellows Pond. It was overcast with rain in the forecast, but we had rain jackets in the car and planned to just take a short walk before heading up the road to Hubbard.

What was meant to be a quick stop turned into a nearly five-mile walk. We passed a variety of ponds, marshes and wetlands along the trails, and decided to keep going even after leaving our rain gear behind.

We looped around Sears Pond, and just about a quarter of the way back to the parking area, it started to rain more heavily. Luckily it wasn’t too cold, so we didn’t mind getting a little wet.

Because we spent so much time wandering through Sears Bellows, we decided to save Hubbard for another day. Even without mountains, this landscape offered a unique walk through a diverse landscape. The quiet woods here are enough to feel disconnected from the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect with the natural landscape. I’m already looking forward to coming back and exploring Hubbard County Park next time.

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Delaware Water Gap, Blue Mountain Lake Trail, Hemlock Pond out and back, 5 Miles RT, Max Elevation 1,581', March 15, 2026

March 15, 2026

Today was a nice woods walk in the Delaware Water Gap. We left the city late and didn’t arrive at the trailhead until about 1 pm. The plan was to simply be outside and relax. We parked at the trailhead for Blue Mountain Lake. From there we headed to Indian Rocks, one of my favorite spots to spend time with the pitch pines on a rocky outcrop and listen to the wind through the trees. From there we hiked over to Hemlock Pond and circled around the pond on the wide trail through the hemlock forest. We returned via the same route. It was just what we needed today.

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Minnewaska State Park, Awosting Falls, Bull Wheel, High Peter's Kill Trail, 5.6 Miles RT, 2,175' Max Elevation, February 28, 2026

February 28, 2026

Today we went back to Minnewaska to continue along the Awosting Falls Trail. We planned to hike to the Bull Wheel Trail and loop back on the High Peter’s Kill Trail. We arrived shortly after the lot opened at 9 a.m., and people were just starting to filter in.

We took the Awosting Falls Trail past the waterfall and along the scenic Peter’s Kill stream. This trail is a wide carriage road. It was still covered in ice and snow and the waterfall was flowing, but parts of it were also still frozen. We continued until we reached the footpath for the Awosting Falls Connector Trail and followed it to Route 44. After crossing the road to the High Peter’s Kill parking area, we found the Red Loop footpath and followed it briefly until reaching the Bull Wheel Trail.

From there, we gradually ascended to an open area filled with pitch pines and the remains of a concrete slab which was once the base of a tower that supported a pulley for a ski lift. This was part of the Ski Minne downhill ski area that operated from 1964 to 1978. The pulley, known as a “bull wheel” is how the trail got its name.

We continued past the impressive cliffs of Dickie Barre, where the Bull Wheel Trail ends and connects with High Peter’s Kill, which also follows the route of the Shawangunk Ridge Trail. We climbed through a notch in Dickie Barre, followed by another descent, and eventually reached an open area where pitch pines grew on the exposed rock ledges at Compass Rock. The views here were incredible, and we could see far north all the way to the Catskills. I pulled out my PeakFinder app to identify some of the high peaks.

After spending some time taking it all in, we continued along High Peter’s Kill, with more ups and downs along the way, until we reached the stream. We stopped for a bit to listen to the flow of the water and relax. After crossing two bridges, the trail began to climb again.

We were hiking on a mix of snow and along the exposed rocky outcrops of the beautiful Shawangunks, with views over the valley. The trail followed the ridge above Peter’s Kill and eventually, we could see Route 44 again. The trail began to parallel the road until it led us back to the main parking area.

The temperature had warmed up quite a bit throughout the day, making the hike along the ridge especially slushy, slippery, and a little more challenging. But the sun was shining, and it was a gorgeous day.

We ended it with a stop at Rough Cut Brewing for burgers and brews heading back to the city.

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Minnewaska State Park, Mossy Glen Trail, Awosting Falls, 5.6 Miles RT, Max elevation 1,745', February 21, 2026

February 21, 2026

It was a beautiful day at Minnewaska State Park. There was much more snow than the last time we were here a few weeks ago, when it was mostly hard-packed ice on the trail. This time, the ice was covered by a few more inches of snow, but we were able to hike in microspikes and didn’t need to switch into snowshoes.

We hiked the Mossy Glen Trail, as we did last time, and thought we might continue on to the viewpoint at Castle Rock. But the trees were heavy with snowmelt, and we were getting a little wet ducking under the rhododendrons and brushing past the pines. It was a bit warmer today, even though the sun never came out.

When we reached the end of Mossy Glen, we decided to head back the way we came and enjoy the trail in the opposite direction. When we arrived back at the parking lot, it was still fairly early, so we took the Awosting Falls Trail to see the falls, which we’d never been to before. There were beautiful ice flows along the trail, and near the falls we saw blue ice.

I made a note to continue on this trail next time.

After the hike, we stopped at Rough Cut Brewing for burgers and IPAs. It was a great day.

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Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Mossy Glen, Lake Awosting, 5.9 Miles RT, 574' +/-, January 11, 2026

January 11, 2026

IIt has been a month since we’ve been able to go out for a hike, and I have been craving that balance between nature and city. This past weekend was our first hike of 2026, and getting out into the woods was much overdue. I had been wanting to check out Minnewaska State Park Preserve for some time, and today we made the hour and forty-minute drive out of the city to explore it.

Minnewaska State Park Preserve is located on the Shawangunk Ridge in Ulster County, New York. The Shawangunk Mountains, aka The Gunks, extend from the northernmost point of the border with New Jersey to the Catskills. It’s a continuation of the easternmost section of the Appalachian Mountains. In New Jersey, this ridge is known as Kittatinny Mountain, which we have hiked many times in the Delaware Water Gap.

With the freeze-thaw conditions over the past week or so, I knew the terrain would be a mixed bag of mud, snow and hard-pack ice requiring traction. We brought our microspikes and snowshoes, which I keep in the back of my car throughout the winter just in case there’s enough snow for snowshoeing. I’d studied the winter recreation map, as some trails are closed to hikers during the winter, and chose the Mossy Glen Trail to Lower Awosting Carriage Road to the lake and back.

We entered the main parking area just off Route 44, where there is a kiosk, and a helpful ranger handed us a map and advised us on trail conditions that would require microspikes throughout. There was a $10 fee, which goes back to fund the park, which I did not mind paying. To be honest, I’m so used to hiking in remote areas with no facilities or information that sometimes I really appreciate a nice, paved parking area with bathroom facilities and a visitor center!

The morning was chilly, but there was no wind, and the sun was glistening on the ice-covered carriage road, which begins the hike. Then we entered the glen, which runs along the Peterskill stream. The trail undulated through beautiful hemlock, pitch pine, hardwoods, and rhododendron tunnels. There were wooden bridges to cross over the stream and wooden planks to navigate along the trail. Along Peterskill stream, we walked across large flat rocks layered in about six inches of hard-pack ice. The day could not have been more beautiful.

The Mossy Glen Trail terminates at the junction for the Blueberry Run footpath. You can continue south on the Blueberry Run Trail up to Castle Point Ledge, or north, crossing back over Peterskill to the Lower Awosting Carriage Road. We chose to cross back over the stream, continue southwest to Lake Awosting, and then head back along the carriage road to return to the trailhead. Lake Awosting is one of The Gunks’ five naturally occurring “sky lakes.” It was looking pretty well frozen today.

After checking out the lake, we made our way back, crunching along the carriage road in our microspikes. From here we caught a glimpse of the Catskills just north in the distance. We passed a few people out for a walk with their dogs, some wearing traction and some slipping and sliding without. It was about 12:30 pm, and we decided to grab lunch and a couple of brews up the road at Rough Cut Brewing. By the time we were ready to get back on the road, the sun was covered by clouds, the winds were picking up, and there were a few snow showers passing through. We got back to the city just in time to enjoy the rest of the evening, warm, cozy, and satisfied with our much-needed time spent in nature.

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First Winter Hike in the Catskills & a Cozy Cabin, December 13 & 14, 2025

December 15, 2025

Another trip to the Catskills! I was counting the days until we could get back up. I’ve really fallen in love with these mountains. Every time we go, they become more and more familiar. This time we stayed in Phoenicia in a rustic cabin. The cabin had a warm, glowing fire, and the main lodge was decorated for the holidays, which really set the mood perfectly. The town of Phoenicia is centrally located in the Catskills, so it was a great base with plenty of options for different hiking trails.

There was already snow on the ground from a few days earlier, so I wasn’t sure how my low-clearance car was going to manage. I went with no expectations and decided that if worse came to worst and we didn’t get out on the trail, we’d still have a nice place to stay and relax.

Our original plan was to hike to Balsam Lake Fire Tower. This trip was more of a recon trip to reacquaint ourselves with our winter gear and get a feel for hiking upstate. We’re experienced with snow hiking on the West Coast, but the East Coast is a completely different beast. The cold and wind come at much lower elevations, and as with any mountain, temperatures and weather conditions can change in an instant.

As we drove along Route 28 and up and over Belleayre Mountain, the temperature dropped, the winds picked up, and the snow started coming down fast. We decided to turn around, just in case conditions got worse. If we had an AWD vehicle, that might have been a different story, but I didn’t want to spend the weekend waiting for a tow truck to pull us out of a snow drift.

It was already late in the day, so we decided to head over to the trailhead for Hunter Mountain on Spruceton Road and see what the driving was like over there. I was more worried about the car than the hiking, because once we’re on the trail, we’re good to go.

The afternoon was very quiet and still, and the only sound I heard was the flow of Hunter Brook. The trail was doable in either spikes or snowshoes; however, if we’d had time to go farther up the mountain, we definitely would have switched to snowshoes.

We were able to get in a few miles before the short winter day started to fade and the sun began to set behind the mountain. We headed back to the cabin, checked in, and then went out for a bite to eat before settling in for a warm, cozy evening.

The night was so quiet and peaceful. We woke up Sunday morning to a few more inches of snow. It was nice to look out the window and see towering pine trees instead of towering skyscrapers for a change. We had a light breakfast and took our time in the morning, hoping the DEC might have the trailhead plowed out so we could get in another hike on Hunter before heading back to the city. Spruceton Road was plowed just fine, but unfortunately the parking area at the trailhead wasn’t, and my car just can’t handle snow like that. We headed back to the cabin to enjoy the rest of the day in the beauty of the Catskills, with a cozy fire and each other’s company, before making our way back to the city.

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Harriman State Park, Pine Meadow Lake Out & Back, 6.7 Miles RT, 650' +/-, November 23, 2025

November 23, 2025

This weekend we stayed close to the city and explored Harriman State Park. I didn’t do a ton of research before heading out, but I learned that the land was donated by the Harriman family, who were affiliated with the railroad. They gifted a large portion of land to create a state park in order to prevent the state from building a prison at Bear Mountain.

I chose a relatively easy hike in the southern portion of Harriman, about 45 minutes outside the city. The trail follows a steady, rocky grade along Pine Meadow Brook up to Pine Meadow Lake. The area around the lake was once settled by the Conklin family around 1724. The last resident, Ramsey Conklin, was evicted by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission in 1935 so the lake could be constructed. There’s a sign along the trail near the spot where the cabin once stood, along with the ruins of an old pumphouse and remnants of group camps that were never completed.

Along the way we passed some interesting boulder formations which are great places to take a break or just sit and enjoy the lake views. The hike was a little over six miles, and we finished fairly early so we could get back to the city. There are so many more trails in Harriman, and it’s such a great option so close to NYC. I’m looking forward to exploring more of the park and its history.

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Catskills, Kaaterskill Falls & North/South Lake Campground, Kaaterskill Wild Forest, November 9, 2025

November 09, 2025

We woke up to rain this morning and hit the road fairly early. With the somewhat inclement weather, I figured it might be a perfect time to visit Kaaterskill Falls. This area of the Catskills is usually packed because of its popularity and the easy walk to the viewing platform above the falls. When we arrived at the parking lot on Scutt Road, there was only one other car. We headed into the woods and hiked through a light, steady rain for about a mile until we reached the platform and the falls came into view.

Seeing the falls in dense fog and mist was spectacular. They had this ethereal, almost ghostly appearance, and there wasn’t another soul around. We had the entire moment to ourselves, able to soak in the tranquility of a place that’s normally crowded. Moments like this make me so glad I decide to get out, even in the rain and less-than-ideal hiking conditions.

With wet rocks, slippery moss, and fallen leaves, we chose to keep the morning relaxing with an easy walk instead of anything strenuous. After leaving the falls, we hiked over to the North/South Lake area and followed a gravel path along the lake to the campground. The campground was closed for the season, void of the usual activity and the dense fog made it feel like we were walking through a dream. Everything looked like a painting. I could see why artist and environmentalist Thomas Cole who founded the Hudson River School of American landscape painting was so inspired by this area. Some of the trail even had interpretive signs from the Hudson River Art Trail highlighting the very views that inspired Cole.

I took so many photos on both my phone and my Lumix. Thankfully, I had my phone as a backup because, just like the previous day, my SD card corrupted and wiped out all the images.

Regardless, it was an absolutely lovely morning and such a peaceful way to wrap up another Catskill weekend.

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Catskills, Diamond Notch Falls via Spruceton Road + Hunter Mountain via Spruceton Trail out and back, 9.61 Miles RT, 2,194’ +/-, Max Elevation 4,040’, November 8, 2025

November 08, 2025

Our adventures this weekend took us to Hunter Mountain in the Catskills’ Hunter-West Kill Wilderness. We parked at the trailhead on Spruceton Road and began with a short hike along the Diamond Notch Trail, which follows West Kill Brook to a lovely waterfall. From there, the trail splits east along the Devil’s Path or across a bridge over the West Kill toward Diamond Notch or the Devil’s Path West. We chose to backtrack to the parking area and start our ascent of Hunter via the Spruceton Trail.

The Spruceton Trail is a wide carriage road open to both hikers and horses, though I didn’t see any recent signs of equestrian use, just the hitching rails along the way. True to Catskill form, the trail climbs steadily and with little mercy. It begins with a moderate grade through hardwood forest on a rocky but easy path. Around 3,500 feet the landscape shifts into stands of fragrant red spruce and balsam fir. The trail was muddy in places, so waterproof boots were necessary.

We passed a clear mountain spring flowing into a barrel, the spur to the John Robb Lean-to, and later the junction with the Colonel’s Chair Trail, which leads toward the Hunter Mountain Ski Lodge and chairlift.

Eventually the trail leveled out a bit before climbing again at a more moderate grade, finally reaching the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower and Observer’s Cabin. Hunter tops out at 4,040 feet, and there are picnic tables at the summit too. We climbed as high as we could up the 60-foot tower, stopping just below the locked cab, which was unattended. The views were spectacular! The Hunter Mountain Fire Tower, built in 1917 and relocated to its current location in 1953, stands at the highest elevation of any fire tower in New York State. It was windy at the top, and I could feel the tower sway in the gusts, but it felt sturdy and well-built. I wished I could have stayed up there longer, but others were coming and going, eager to take in the same breathtaking views.

By the time we started back down it was around 2 p.m. Through the leafless trees, we had clear views of Rusk and East Rusk Mountains. As we descended back into the hardwood forest, tiny moths fluttered along the trail, something I’d noticed on the way up as well. It was a really great hike, and next time I’d like to start earlier and make it a loop hiking the Devil’s Path and Hunter Mountain Trail.

Note that the photos are all I was able to capture with my phone. They are both photos and video stills. Unfortunately, the SD card on my camera corrupted and I lost all photos from this weekend except for these phone pics.

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Catskills, Mt. Tremper Fire Tower via Jessup Road, Willow Trail & Warner Creek Trail, 7.1 Miles RT, 1,837' +/-, Max Elevation 2,740', October 19, 2025

October 19, 2025

We wanted to make the best out of our weekend, so we woke up and headed out to hike Mount Tremper from the Willow Parking Area located off Jessup Road. This approach is longer but less steep than hiking it from Old Rt. 28/Mt. Tremper-Phoenicia Rd.

We parked in the small lot in a residential area that had room for about six cars. The trail immediately begins a steep ascent on an old jeep road through mostly hardwoods. We hiked through the beautiful Hoyt Hollow, where huge boulders line the walls of the hollow. Here, the trail narrows as it passes through more conifers. It’s my favorite section of this hike. Some parts of the trail were slightly eroded but still very manageable. It also loses some elevation before ascending again as it meets the junction with the Warner Creek Trail.

The Warner Creek Trail is a section of the Long Path that continues past the summit of Mount Tremper to Silver Hollow Notch. It’s an undulating stretch, and the winds really picked up here. With the autumn leaves falling, we had some views to the north and south. Eventually, we reached the 47-foot fire tower at the summit. We climbed as high as we could up to the locked cab and enjoyed views of the Burroughs Range, Stony Clove, Deep Notch, and the Devil’s Path Range. We had a snack and checked out the Baldwin lean-to before heading back the way we came.

The weather was starting to turn, and it looked like rain was moving in, so we hiked back down at a decent pace. I was so focused and deep in my groove, enjoying the wind and racing the ominous weather that seemed to be approaching. As we descended, the wind died down, and we stayed well ahead of the rain. It was a great hike. I’ve really fallen in love with the Catskills!

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Catskills, Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower via Dry Brook Ridge, 6 Miles RT, 1,197' +/-, Max Elevation, 3,723', October 18, 2025

October 18, 2025

Today’s hike took us to the top of Balsam Lake Mountain.

The very first fire tower ever placed on a mountaintop in New York State was installed here in 1887. The 47 foot tower that stands today was erected in 1919, closed in 1988, and later reopened in 2000.

We began our hike at the trailhead off Mill Brook Road, where there’s a parking lot with a kiosk and clear signage pointing the way. Crossing the road, we followed the blue markers on the Dry Brook Ridge Trail. The trail was moderately graded by Catskill standards and wide, with rocks that were easy to navigate. Large moss-covered boulders and ferns lined the path and we passed a small mountain spring along the way.

Eventually, we reached a junction with the red marked Balsam Lake Mountain Trail leading to the summit. The grade became steeper here, but still very manageable. The trail soon transitioned into an aromatic forest of balsam fir and spruce before opening into a clearing with the Observer’s Cabin and the Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower. Picnic tables are scattered around the area, and a group of young hikers was gathered there playing music and having a great time, adding to the joyful, welcoming energy of the mountain.

We climbed to the top of the tower and took in the views stretching over the tops of the balsam fir trees. Ladybugs were flying around the the tower and the clearing adding to the happy atmosphere. We hung out for a while, had a snack, and then began our descent.

It was a wonderful day… nothing too strenuous and just the right amount of effort to make you feel like you earned your dinner. I absolutely loved this hike.

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Catskills-Slide Mountain via Slide Mountain Trail & Curtis Ormsbee Trail, 6.57 Miles RT, 1,801' +/-, Max Elevation 4,184', October 5, 2025

October 05, 2025

We left the city to hike Slide Mountain in the Catskills’ Slide Mountain Wilderness Area. Slide Mountain is the highest peak in the Catskills, located in the town of Shandaken in Ulster County. It’s also considered the tallest peak in the New York Metropolitan Area.

We parked in the lot off Olivera-Slide Mountain Road. At the trailhead, a helpful trail steward named Richard greeted us. It’s wonderful that New York offers trail stewards stationed at different parts of the trails to guide hikers and share information. We had originally planned to hike this trail as an out-and-back, crossing the West Branch of the Neversink River on the Phoenicia-East Branch Trail and then turning onto the Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide Trail to reach the summit. But Richard suggested returning via the Curtis-Ormsbee Trail to make a lollipop loop, and we happily took his advice.

The hike up to Slide’s summit begins by following the yellow-marked Phoenicia-East Branch Trail southwest, where it meets the red-marked Burroughs Range Trail. From there, we turned left, heading east straight to the summit.

The direct ascent didn’t waste any time as it immediately climbed steeply, with plenty of rocks to navigate. The trail started through hardwood forests and large moss-covered boulders that kept the trail interesting and took our minds off the steep ascent. As we approached the 3,500’ sign, the trees changed to conifers, which I believe were spruce and balsam fir. The change in elevation was obvious with the drop in temperature and the feel of the trail itself. The ground became sandier, and the air literally smelled like Christmas trees. The scenery was breathtaking, and the climb required a descent amount of effort. There were a few lookout points along the way to the summit to stop and soak in the views of the surrounding wilderness.

The summit itself is rounded, with mostly flat rock in the middle of a beautiful spruce grove. We could still see over the treetops into the distance. From there, the mountain drops steeply to the col with Cornell Mountain. If you wish, you can continue along the trail to Cornell and Wittenberg.

Just below the summit boulders sits a plaque dedicated to John Burroughs, a renowned naturalist who wrote about his climbs in the Catskills.

After exploring the summit, we turned back the way we had come until we reached the junction with the Curtis-Ormsbee Trail. From there, we followed the blue markers along a trail that descended steeply through spruce and then hardwoods, with panoramic views to the south and west. There were fun boulder scrambles along this route, and the terrain was a bit easier on the feet. The Curtis-Ormsbee Trail was named for William Curtis and Allen Ormsbee, who originally blazed it. Both later lost their lives during a mountaineering expedition in the White Mountains in 1900.

It was a wonderful day. Both the climb and the descent offered epic scenery and challenges that left us feeling satisfied and content.

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Catskills-Windham High Peak via Escarpment Trail, 8.67 Miles RT, 1,916' +/-, Max Elevation 3,524', September 20, 2025

September 20, 2025

We are exploring the Catskills and I am loving it! There are climbs here that make you work for it. It feels good to be back on respectively sized mountains again. We hiked to Windham High Peak via the Escarpment trail in the Elm Ridge Wild Forest. This hike is fairly straight forward without any rock scrambles; however, as you get closer to the peak, the mountain does get pretty steep. There are a few ledges at the summit with views out over the Hudson Valley and on the opposite side looking towards Blackhead, Black Dome and Thomas Cole mountains in the Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness. Windham High Peak tops out at 3,524’ elevation, and there’s a geo tag on the summit. It was a great workout today! I look forward to more of these hikes and seeing more of these beautiful Catskill mountains. They’re just about a 2 hour drive from NYC.

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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - Mohican Outdoor Center, Rattlesnake Swamp Trail to AT to Catfish Tower, 4.5 Miles RT, 545' +/-, September 7, 2025

September 07, 2025

We hiked an out and back to Catfish Tower from the Mohican Outdoor Center. Basically, the motivation was the orange/cranberry pancakes I knew we could get at the MOC afterwards. Lots and lots of rocks on this one. Fun day and a great reward afterwards!

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