Just to expand on Jay's suggestions:
You should definitely phone Mr. Scholl as a courtesy. I called last week before doing Graham-it's seems that the main concern is safety, and that hikers understand everything is at their own risk, which we obviously do.
As for routes, 1st the Biscuit Brook one Jay mentions:
From the Biscuit Brook parking lot, follow the blue-marked Pine Hill-West Branch Trail north to a point about 1/2 mile south of Big Indian summit. The trail is headed west at this point, and it takes a sharp right (north). Go off trail continuing due west. You'll go over a little slope, then walk due west a bit until you come to the yellow and red (makes me think of mustard and catsup) paint blazes and posted signs. There is a herd path along these markers more or less all the way to the south nob of Doubletop. You'll descend maybe 250 feet into a col between Big Indian's shoulder and Doubletop. This route takes you past the plane wreck site a little before the summit, and it's some pretty steep climbing as well. I went this way in the fall, and remember using my poles a lot for climbing.
I just did the Seager route weekend before last. Harry Rampe (who knows the Catskills like the back of his hand) led a small group of us up a route which he said the landowner prefers hikers take:
Go about a mile in on the mostly flat, yellow-marked Seager Trail. It's a nice walk along lovely Dry Brook. Two of our party put on crampons early due to ice on this trail.You'll come to a small bridge over the brook, which is part of a woods road. There was a small earth-mover (steamshovel?) there when we were there. Begin climbing the (steep!) slope across from this area. You'll be headed pretty much due south (maybe a little SW) through open forest (hemlocks, if I remember correctly). Stay with this bearing and just head up. You'll go through one boulder field that's not terribly difficult to negotiate.
This route brings you more quickly to the north nob, where the canister is found. The posted signs should remain to your right (west) on the way up. If you run into the posted signs, correct back the other way a bit. Good luck, be careful, and please respect the property while on this great mountain. Enjoy!
Matt
