Ready for a fall colors backpacking trip? This time for an overnight to the Catskills! The sixth annual edition of this hike!
We'll hike about 24 miles in two days with the total elevation gain of about 5,000 feet. This hike is NOT suitable for beginners. It is a very difficult hike because of the mileage hiked, the elevation gain, and the fact that we'll be carrying heavy backpacks. The weather may be challenging, too. You have to be physically fit and have backpacked in the past. The number of participants is limited to 9 by the park rules and regulations and by available seats in our cars. (I'll add more spots as more drivers sign up, so go ahead and put yourself on the waiting list.)
We should leave New York City on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. so that all of us can meet at Phoenicia Diner by 10:00 a.m., see the exact address above on this page. Drivers should take I-87 North to Exit 19, then Route NY-28 to Phoenicia (total distance 120 miles). From there we'll drive our cars to the park, rearrange them for a through hike (nearly a loop), and start hiking. Saturday night we should spend on Terrace Mountain or Woodland Valley. On Sunday after the hike we'll stop for dinner in Phoenicia. We should be back to NYC around 9:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Everyone may need to bring at minimum 1 gallon of water if we stay at Terrace Mountain since there is no water. You have to bring two lunch snacks, one dinner, and one breakfast meal.
As to the gear, everyone has to have good boots and layers of clothes (preferably non-cotton). Be prepared for rain and cold. (A few years back we had snow.) A sleeping bag and a sleeping mat are a must. Tents and stoves can be shared.
Don't forget to bring cash - we'll share the cost of carpool, gas, tolls, and you'll need to pay cash for dinner on Sunday.
I'll have a map, a compass, a first aid kit, and some other essential gear. If you have a specific question, please e-mail me. If you have a questions for everyone, post it. I will contact you a few days before the hike to organize carpooling.
Milos