Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Sunset Rock near North Lake

Catskills Forest Preserve,
Greene Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Connector Trail: Yellow blaze
Escarpment Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.3 Miles

Pros: Very scenic area, caves and tunnels
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3zqkctWhPPHVWnY47

Hiking Partner:
Simon Gold

I was on a camping trip at North-South Lake in the Catskills, and we took this amazing but short hike directly from our campground. We started the hike at the Connector Trail near the playground at North-South Lake, and then took the Escarpment Trail north. Upon reaching nearby to Sunset Rock, we scrambled up and took the narrow crevice/cave. We then looped around back to the Escarpment and headed back down the same way we came. 



Map of the Route

Start of the Hike at the Trailhead

Climbing Up



Hazy View at Artist's Rock





Crevice Below Sunset Rock

North and South Lake from Sunset Rock

Rock Formations on Sunset Rock

Me on Sunset Rock

North/South Lake


View from Inspiration Point


Shimmy Going through the Crevice


Sunset Rock Trail Intersection

Weird Rock on the Trail

Back to Artists Rock



Cave Overhang

North Lake from the Campground

Monday, July 29, 2024

Kaaterskill Falls Evening Hike

Catskills Forest Preserve,
Greene Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Escarpment Trail: Blue blaze
Kaaterskill Falls Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.8 Miles

Pros: Impressive Waterfall and Scenery
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DBSBGjWzvbZRtkYM9

Hiking Partner:
Simon Gold

Kaaterskill Falls is the tallest combined falls in New York state. The water level was very low so I hesitated going, but even with a low flow the waterfalls are impressive. It was late in the day on Sunday and we were camping in North-South Lake nearby, so the crowds had already dispersed. We parked at the main parking area and walked to the upper falls viewing platform. We then walked to the creek walked along the mostly dry creek bed to the bridge and then to the Escarpment Trail. We then took the Kaaterskill Falls trail down to the falls area, and went to the lower falls and then back up to the upper falls, and walked around the formation behind the waterfalls. We then took the route back to our car.


Map of the Route

View Above the Falls from the Platform

Steps Down to the Falls

Kaaterskill Falls from the Viewing Platform


Walking Through Spruce Creek

Bottom of Kaaterskill Falls



Middle Area of the Falls

Behind the Falls









Sunday, July 28, 2024

Tom Jones Mountain Loop

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Victory Trail: Blue blaze
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Blue blaze
Shelter Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:10 hours
Estimated Distance: 1.6 miles

Pros: Good climb and nice views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HmYeawnzit8H9ihg7

Hiking Partner:
Joseph Friedman

 

Map of the Route
Starting the Ascent Tom Jones Mountain

Ascending Tom Jones Mountain


Glacial Erratic Rock on the R-D Trail

Approaching the Tom Jones Mountain Shelter

Instructions for the Packing Hanging at the Shelter

View at the Tom Jones Mountain Shelter









Bearproof Pack Pulleys

Tom Jones Mountain Summit










Ribbon Snake on the Mountain Descent

Small Pond on the Side of the Road