Tuco
New member
Got up early Saturday, 3am (or was it late Friday??) and headed up to the Catskills by 3:30 on what would be a long day. Got to the Woodland Valley parking lot between 6:30 and 7:00. Used the bathroom (don't you love a trailhead with a bathroom?) and went to see if I could pay for parking. Nobody up, so I geared up and headed for the trail.
Crossed the road into the campground, and looked around for the trail where the guidebook said, but I just didn't see it. After 5 minutes I decided to go back to the parking lot and do the loop in reverse since the Phonecia East Branch (PEB) trailhead was there. On the way out of the campground I noticed a sign confirming the trailhead was where I was looking. Turns out some big SUV was parked close to the path and it blocked my view of the trail, which goes by VERY close to campsite 45- but I didn't see anything that morning
. (And by the way, am I the only person who has trouble getting started in the morning- can't find trailhead, can't find trail?).
Headed up the Witt. Cornell Slide Trail (WCST). First 2.5 miles are really nice, contiunally goes up, but at an easy grade and comfortable footing. Weather was comfortable and the trail looked beautiful with all the colored leaves lying on and along it. Took a break at the junction of Terrace Mt Lean to trail- then headed up to Wittenberg. Trrail continued nicely, and then headed more north and started with some steep rock climbs that required all fours. Nothing terrible, but not the easy grade and trail to this point. Headed back east out to the summit of Wittenberg. Wow. Theres a great open ledge, and a great view of the Ashokan Reservoir plus countless mountains. Thought I would be the first up that morning, but ran into a gentleman, Dennis, who was backpacking along that way (and who accompanied me through a majority of the WCST). Thought for a minute of dithcing my hike and staying here all day (nap!) but headed on.
Moved towards Cornell, easily downward, but then a few more of those where do I go up? and must use all fours climbs. Again relatively easy and headed over to the Cornell true summit. Small spot, weak views (tough to follow Wittenberg). Moved along, ran into Dennis again and we moved down between Cornell and Slide (with a quick stop for some great views north just past the summit of Cornell.
Rested at base of Slide for the relatively long and steep climb up, then moved on. Again, an interesting spot or two to climb up, but most noticeable was the elevation gain (could see the summit get closer (glad I didn'lt have a full pack like Dennis ).
Moved up near the last ascent (stopped for water at a spring around the side) and headed up the "ladders". I have heard them called that, but look like stairs to me. Final ascent over, and climbed up on the rocks to summit. Trees partically obstruct the view, but still at 4200 feet a nice view around the valley. Lunch time, and some clouds rolled in, I was concerened about rain. Decided to take off quick- figured to make up some time on the descent.
Headed down WCST to the PEB- the descent was long but forgiving, footing wasn't bad at all. Trail then heads North up Rt 47- roadwalking uphill at 10 miles wasn't fun, but gave a chance to stretch out the legs a bit. Right after Lake Winisook, there is a driveway with a sign for a public easement that goes through the private property that helps avoid the drop to 47 and subsequent ascent back to the junction with the Panther/Giant Ledge Trail. From that side there's no sign for the easement, just some branches blocking the path. Its right where the PEB starts to go down if heading west.
Went East on PEB, more downhill with excellent grading and footing. Continued down for a couple of miles, then dropped into a valley which I figured was the end. Crossed over what appeared to be a dried up river bed, and saw a steep climb, maybe a couple hundred feet?? But after going downhill Since Slide summit I was not looking forward to it. Good news was rock stairs in place so footing was easy. Trail didn't go to top of hill, but skirted around side of ridge. Somehat shortly thereafter, headed down and back into the parking lot, some 9 hours later. All of the trails were in very good condition, an occassional muddy spot but all easily navigable.
Campground left a nice note to come and pay the $4 before leaving, and oh yes, we have your license plate number just in case.
I usually don't write trip reports here, I just enjoyed the day so much wanted to write it up. Left home the digital, brought that old thing that takes film, so no pictures right now (and based on past performance it'll probably be a while..). Drove home, pulled in at 7:00. Long day....
Crossed the road into the campground, and looked around for the trail where the guidebook said, but I just didn't see it. After 5 minutes I decided to go back to the parking lot and do the loop in reverse since the Phonecia East Branch (PEB) trailhead was there. On the way out of the campground I noticed a sign confirming the trailhead was where I was looking. Turns out some big SUV was parked close to the path and it blocked my view of the trail, which goes by VERY close to campsite 45- but I didn't see anything that morning
. (And by the way, am I the only person who has trouble getting started in the morning- can't find trailhead, can't find trail?).Headed up the Witt. Cornell Slide Trail (WCST). First 2.5 miles are really nice, contiunally goes up, but at an easy grade and comfortable footing. Weather was comfortable and the trail looked beautiful with all the colored leaves lying on and along it. Took a break at the junction of Terrace Mt Lean to trail- then headed up to Wittenberg. Trrail continued nicely, and then headed more north and started with some steep rock climbs that required all fours. Nothing terrible, but not the easy grade and trail to this point. Headed back east out to the summit of Wittenberg. Wow. Theres a great open ledge, and a great view of the Ashokan Reservoir plus countless mountains. Thought I would be the first up that morning, but ran into a gentleman, Dennis, who was backpacking along that way (and who accompanied me through a majority of the WCST). Thought for a minute of dithcing my hike and staying here all day (nap!) but headed on.
Moved towards Cornell, easily downward, but then a few more of those where do I go up? and must use all fours climbs. Again relatively easy and headed over to the Cornell true summit. Small spot, weak views (tough to follow Wittenberg). Moved along, ran into Dennis again and we moved down between Cornell and Slide (with a quick stop for some great views north just past the summit of Cornell.
Rested at base of Slide for the relatively long and steep climb up, then moved on. Again, an interesting spot or two to climb up, but most noticeable was the elevation gain (could see the summit get closer (glad I didn'lt have a full pack like Dennis
).Moved up near the last ascent (stopped for water at a spring around the side) and headed up the "ladders". I have heard them called that, but look like stairs to me. Final ascent over, and climbed up on the rocks to summit. Trees partically obstruct the view, but still at 4200 feet a nice view around the valley. Lunch time, and some clouds rolled in, I was concerened about rain. Decided to take off quick- figured to make up some time on the descent.
Headed down WCST to the PEB- the descent was long but forgiving, footing wasn't bad at all. Trail then heads North up Rt 47- roadwalking uphill at 10 miles wasn't fun, but gave a chance to stretch out the legs a bit. Right after Lake Winisook, there is a driveway with a sign for a public easement that goes through the private property that helps avoid the drop to 47 and subsequent ascent back to the junction with the Panther/Giant Ledge Trail. From that side there's no sign for the easement, just some branches blocking the path. Its right where the PEB starts to go down if heading west.
Went East on PEB, more downhill with excellent grading and footing. Continued down for a couple of miles, then dropped into a valley which I figured was the end. Crossed over what appeared to be a dried up river bed, and saw a steep climb, maybe a couple hundred feet?? But after going downhill Since Slide summit I was not looking forward to it. Good news was rock stairs in place so footing was easy. Trail didn't go to top of hill, but skirted around side of ridge. Somehat shortly thereafter, headed down and back into the parking lot, some 9 hours later. All of the trails were in very good condition, an occassional muddy spot but all easily navigable.
Campground left a nice note to come and pay the $4 before leaving, and oh yes, we have your license plate number just in case.
I usually don't write trip reports here, I just enjoyed the day so much wanted to write it up. Left home the digital, brought that old thing that takes film, so no pictures right now (and based on past performance it'll probably be a while..). Drove home, pulled in at 7:00. Long day....
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