http://www.vftt.org/forums/ trail conditions in New York en Sun, 19 May 2013 13:51:42 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.vftt.org/forums/images/misc/rss.png http://www.vftt.org/forums/ http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?49080-Algonquin-Loop-up-Avalanch-Lake-side-May-18&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 00:14:35 GMT Conditions good up to the top. Some snow/ice on the way down once back in the treeline, but it's spotty, so using traction devices would be more of a nuisance. There are some awkward parts on steep wet and icy sections on the descent, so care should be taken on these parts, otherwise all is good. No bugs noted yet. ]]> New York Unregistered http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?49080-Algonquin-Loop-up-Avalanch-Lake-side-May-18 http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48974-Twin-Mountain-Prediger-Road-TH-5-5-2013&goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 19:24:57 GMT Jimmy Dolan trail clear, dry and mostly easy to notch Red trail to summit/s same Probably ran into at least 10 different parties along the way, 2 large groups 10 or more folks. Jimmy Dolan trail clear, dry and mostly easy to notch
Red trail to summit/s same
Probably ran into at least 10 different parties along the way, 2 large groups 10 or more folks. ]]> New York NoSnShoes4325 http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48974-Twin-Mountain-Prediger-Road-TH-5-5-2013 http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48937-Mt-Colden-loop-May-4&goto=newpost Sun, 05 May 2013 02:10:28 GMT Went up from Lake Colden and down via Lake Arnold. From the Loj to Marcy Dam was in gllod condition on the way in and completely dry on the way out. MD to Lake Colden had some snow/ice cover, but not enough to get any special gear out. Once we started up from Lake Colden, it wasn't long before we put on our micro-spikes (or whatever they're called) and our gaiters. There was a long slippery snow section, followed by a long slippery rock section, followed by a longer, more slippery snow section, followed finally by dry rock closer to the summit. The rock section was awkward because there was a stream coming down and I'm guessing descending that way would be even more awkward. On the descent it was mostly snow. On the first steep section I was thinking poles in addition to stabalizers would be nice, or even real crampons, but after that the angle eased and it was very quick going down. We removed our micro-spikes for the rocky sections on the way up, for the summit, and then about 1.5 miles before Marcy Dam on the return.

There's lots of running water and things should be melting fast, so conditions will change rapidly. Away from the narrow trail there's lots of post holing going on. Much more snow on the Lake Arnold side.

A most magnificent day to be out in the mountains. Not an insect to be seen or felt and glorious spring weather with some spring conditions to go along with it. Loads of people on the mountain, but we were quite lucky and had a very peaceful day. ]]> New York Unregistered http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48937-Mt-Colden-loop-May-4 http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48875-Plattekill-Mountain-Platte-Clove-TH-4-28-13&goto=newpost Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:20:11 GMT Crossed King Post bridge in beggining, felt soft on left side, bridge was closed with red tape by the time we returned. Easy to see broken main beam from underneath. Whoever closed it also put some stones in the stream to create an easy crossing. Trail through Platte Clove Preserve clear and... Crossed King Post bridge in beggining, felt soft on left side, bridge was closed with red tape by the time we returned. Easy to see broken main beam from underneath. Whoever closed it also put some stones in the stream to create an easy crossing.

Trail through Platte Clove Preserve clear and easy.

Blue state trail right after was the same all the way to codfish lookout. Took right turn at codfish intersection followed trail/old road to last obvious quarry, nice lookout north. From there left trail and easy walk up to top, small amount of evergreen pushback on top.

Meet a few local families along way, one of the families told us what the strange loud noise was we heard, a barred owl, (strange to us anyhow) I first thought it was a beagle dog of some sort. 4 or 5 groups leaving from echo lake ]]> New York NoSnShoes4325 http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48875-Plattekill-Mountain-Platte-Clove-TH-4-28-13 http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48845-Bear-Mt-(Harriman-State-Park)-Up-on-the-AT-from-Bear-Mt-Inn-down-on-Major-Welch&goto=newpost Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:00:46 GMT Date: 4/24/2013 Trail Conditions: dry, easy to follow, any downed trees or large branches easy to avoid, in lower section where a couple had been uprooted, the trail has been relocated around. Special Equipment Required: sunscreen until the leaves come in. Comments: my 2nd time... Date: 4/24/2013

Trail Conditions: dry, easy to follow, any downed trees or large branches easy to avoid, in lower section where a couple had been uprooted, the trail has been relocated around.

Special Equipment Required: sunscreen until the leaves come in.

Comments: my 2nd time here, the first was on the AT from the south. From the Inn, the AT has been relocated a bit all the way to it's first meeting with the road. It's now a well groomed stone dust path with 100's of steps. Still a pretty steep climb.

My first time I went up for sunrise so this was my first trip in Perkins Tower, very inspirational & informative. The Descent on Major Welch was either very easy or quite steep, it went from one to the other. For a 1,300 ft peak & approx 4 miles long, it's quite a workout & very close to NYC. This weekend, off to Race & Everett in MA

Mike P.
mapaggioli4000@comcast.net ]]> New York Mike P. http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48845-Bear-Mt-(Harriman-State-Park)-Up-on-the-AT-from-Bear-Mt-Inn-down-on-Major-Welch http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48801-Alander-Mountain-Loop-South-Taconic-Robert-Brook-Trails&goto=newpost Mon, 22 Apr 2013 03:04:17 GMT Date of Hike: 4/21/13 Trail Conditions: Dry down low, with green vegetation just beginning to come up, some wet/muddy spots on the South taconic, absolutely no water crossing to be concerned about Special Equipment Required: Smile muscles and hiking poles for going down the Robert Brook... Date of Hike: 4/21/13

Trail Conditions: Dry down low, with green vegetation just beginning to come up, some wet/muddy spots on the South taconic, absolutely no water crossing to be concerned about

Special Equipment Required: Smile muscles and hiking poles for going down the Robert Brook Trail due to the lack of usage, thick carpet of leaves, and steepness.

Comments:
*Much easier access up the west face of the taconic ridge than other western trailheads, no scrambing
*There is parking, even though its not on the NY-NJ Appalachian Trail Conference Topo
*Huge NY/MA property markers, like the one at the NY/CT/MA border are on Robert Brook.
*The Western exposure is great for Afternoon and Evening hikes on sunny days
*Old stone fences way up at 1800'

Your name: Remix ]]> New York Remix http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48801-Alander-Mountain-Loop-South-Taconic-Robert-Brook-Trails http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48787-Dial-and-Nippletop-via-Bear-Den-(Ascent)-and-Elk-Pass-(Descent)&goto=newpost Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:01:21 GMT Trail Conditions: H.G Leach Trail from Lake Road to approx 2500 ft was dry/muddy. Snowpack (1- 4 ft) present on trail and in trees at 2500 ft and above with scattered bare/exposed areas on south-facing slopes (1/4 mile or less of trail was bare/exposed on descent of Bear Den). Snowpack was... Trail Conditions:

H.G Leach Trail from Lake Road to approx 2500 ft was dry/muddy. Snowpack (1- 4 ft) present on trail and in trees at 2500 ft and above with scattered bare/exposed areas on south-facing slopes (1/4 mile or less of trail was bare/exposed on descent of Bear Den). Snowpack was softer at lower elevations and very firm and icy in areas at higher elevations. Just very firm snowpack on trail down to Elk Pass, not much ice to worry about.

Gear:

Used snowshoes. Hikers with micro-spikes were puncturing snowpack :( Snowshoes recommended.

Weather:

Partly sunny, 30-40 degrees F, scattered snow showers, winds 20-40 mph with gusts of 55 mph. Epic early spring day in the High Peaks! ]]> New York Unregistered http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48787-Dial-and-Nippletop-via-Bear-Den-(Ascent)-and-Elk-Pass-(Descent) http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48779-Catskills-various-trips-and-snow-ice-conditions&goto=newpost Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:03:47 GMT Table / Peekamoose / Lone / Rocky / Balsam Cap from Denning

Date of Hike: 4/17/2013

Trail Conditions: Dry until the river crossings. Some minor ice patches as low as 2300 ft (of elevation), but don't become more frequent until around 3500 ft. Near complete snow/ice cover about 3700 ft. On trail, it's ice; off trail it's snow. Snow is rarely more than six inches deep. Microspikes very helpful for the ice (Table/Peekamoose). Snowshoes useful for the trailless peaks (especially the BC-Friday col area), but they're not worth the weight. The river was high - I took off my boots and forded barefoot.


Slide from Denning via Curtis-Ormsbee Trail

Date of Hike: 4/18/2013

Trail Conditions: Ice patches starting at 3000 feet for a bit; above that, clear dry trail until a conifer forest with snow + ice around 3600-3700 feet, then clear again in the deciduous forest, then back to 12-18 inches packed snow above 3800 feet. Few postholes. Temperature was 39 F at the summit for me. Microspikes - very helpful. Snowshoes may be helpful in warmer temperatures with softening snow, but with the current forecast and season, the trail will turning to postholed mashed potatoes tomorrow anyway.


Fir from Biscuit Brook parking area, to lean-to, off-trail to summit

Date of Hike: 4/18/2013

Trail conditions: Dry. Completely snow free to the summit (3620 feet) on the south-facing slope. Microspikes + snowshoes - absolutely useless.


Diamond Notch from Spruceton Road to Diamond Notch Road

Date of Hike: 4/19/2013

Trail conditions: The river at Diamond Notch Falls was high; there is no bridge (since 2011) in case you're headed to Westkill; I took off my boots and forded barefoot. On trail, patches of ice began as low as 2300 feet. I felt as though traction (microspikes) is essential above 2600 feet on the north side of Diamond Notch.


Name: Steve ]]> New York Caveman77 http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48779-Catskills-various-trips-and-snow-ice-conditions