I took the friday off to go hiking. It was a nearly perfect day to be out. Sky was cloudless, temperatures were great, humidity was low, but visibility was horrible due to Canadian wildfires. The air quality wasn't that bad though, I wasn't smelling any camp fire smell like we did in Albany a few weeks ago when the AQI was over 200. Prediction was to be around 150... so strenuous outdoor activity was advised against, but that doesn't mean it really was a bad idea.
I started off at the Denning trail-head just before 7. As I first exited my car to get rid of some coffee, I discovered a blueberry patch right behind my car. A few of them did supplement my breakfast. Overall, the marked trails were in good shape. Very little mud, and the spring was running, although as a trickle, just below the top of Table. The Bouton Memorial Lean-To was in wonderful shape just below the top of Table.... if there wasn't such a climb to get there, it'd be a lovely place to stay.
After I hit Peekamoose around 10 (4.8 miles and 3 hours in), I then started the herd paths that would take up most of my day. The path from Table to Lone was in pretty good condition. A lot of extra paths were around, but I think I followed the main one most of the way I only had a little issue on top of Lone, I couldn't find the cannister where I thought it should be, but I eventually found it.. From Lone, it was off to Rocky. This path was pretty good on each end. I lost it in the col though.... Tons of blow downs that I meandered carefully through. When I reached the top at noon, I had a decision to make. Do I go on to Balsam Cap, turn around and go back the way I went, or go down on a different herd path.
I decided to go down to the Fisherman's Path. The top of the herd path was very obvious, but about 1/4 mile in, I lost it. I once again picked my way around until I got down to the stream and then followed the stream out. I didn't pick up the herd path again until I was at Fisherman's Path. That was about 1 mile of pure bushwhack through loose rocks with holes to fall into, blow downs, and soft soil. It was slow, but I made it. Finally, the Fisherman's path is a well established herd path along the Neversink River. It was a nice hike out along that, and it was there that I ran into my only real mud the whole trip.
So, with Table, Peekamoose, Lone, and Rocky done, I have 5 more Catskill 3500 to go.
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