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.