Back on the South Taconic Trail

I headed back to a favorite trail this week, hiking a section of the South Taconic Trail.  I was lucky enough to have a day off with my wife this week and we took advantage of it.  We decided to hike to Alander Mountain from Bash Bish Falls.  We arrived at the parking lot around 9:30am and began hiking.  It was a beautiful fall morning, almost perfect hiking weather.  Bluebird sky’s and cool temps helped to keep us from overheating as we made the climb from the valley floor. We stopped just before the top and had a snack and caught our breath, then we made the final scramble up and the hiking got easier and fun.   

It is a tough climb up for a little over a mile, then the trail levels out and we were able to cruise along nicely.  There were some scattered views out through the trees, looking west over the valley and farther out to the Catskills.  The trail climbs as you approach the summit of Alander Mountain and we started seeing better views.

We could see Mount Everett and Race Mountain as we approached the summit.   After a rest on the summit of Alander, we turned around and made our way back. 

We made good time, better than on the way out, and arrived back at the car just before 3pm.  The descent is knee grinding but went quick.  We hiked just under 7 miles out and back and enjoyed a great fall hiking day.  

Giant Ledge and Panther Mtn.

I picked a beautiful day to head back to the Catskills and a trail that provided me with some of the best views I have ever seen while hiking.  I decided to explore a new area and headed to the Slide Mountain Wilderness, hiking the Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain.  Panther Mountain is # 17 on the 3500 ft list with a height of 3725 ft.  I arrived at the DEC parking area about 10am and after signing in on the register began the climb up toward the Giant Ledge.  It is a steady climb, with sections that are steeper then others.  The trail is quite rocky for the first .75 miles.

It is a climb from the beginning but soon the trail levels out for a breather before the climb to the views.  I made pretty good time and was soon enjoying some fantastic views from the Giant Ledge.  Looking out over the valley was amazing, in the top 5 views for me.  There are a number of viewing areas along the trail and I stopped and enjoyed most of them. Slide Mountain along with Cornell and Wittenberg stood out to me and will be on the list for another day.

After a snack and a quick break I continued on toward Panther Mtn.  The trail dips down into the col before climbing again.  The climb up Panther is not bad, it is steady with some steeper sections thrown in. The Catskills have some of the most interesting rock formations I have seen, I really enjoy climbing around and over these formations.  I try to take as many pictures as I can of all the different outcroppings.  I have seen this type of rock only in the Catskills.  It is pretty cool!

I was soon at the 3500 ft sign and the forest was transitioning to the boreal forest I enjoy so much.  I love being in the spruce and fir, the smell of the trees, stands of birch and Mountain Ash scattered about, it just seems to make the hike cruise along. 

There are a few viewing areas on or near the summit and I stopped and rested and took in some more views.  I hiked past the summit and found another opening to look out over the valley, then turned around and started back. 

The trail does continue, but I was doing and out and back hike.  The way back went well and I was soon back at the ledges.  I met a number of other hikers, as this is a popular trail.  Some just heading to the ledges and others hiking to the summit of Panther.  I stopped and chatted with a few of them, but not for long as I wanted to keep moving.  I made it back to the car after about 4 hours of hiking, having hiked 7 miles round trip.  I really enjoyed this trail and would consider going back, maybe camping in the designated campsite on top near the ledges.  There were quite a few people on the trail, even mid-week, which is something I try to avoid, but the views made up for the lack of solitude.