Andy Arthur.
Huntersfield Mountain Range Photos.
Huntersfield Mountain Range is located just north of the Catskill Park and sits on the border of Schoharie and Greene Counties. Rarely visited by hikers, it is crossed by the Long Path and a state truck trail, and has a lean-to on top. The state owns much of the ridge, including Huntersfield Mountain, Ashland Pinnacle, South Mountain, Richmond Mountain, and Mount Pisgah.
Limited Use Highway.
This sign is seen driving up County Route 23A when it becomes the DEC Truck Trail over South Mountain. It's only recent that the state has allowed seasonal use highways to be closed on November 1st, but I'm sure from the sign they want to make it clear that people should not be driving up this steep road when its covered with ice or snow. Taken on August 28, 2010. | Red Dirt Road.
This is the spur off the main DEC Road up and over South Mountain. It leads part of the way up Richmond Mountain before it peters out to a logging road. Notice how the DEC has clear cut this area. Taken on August 28, 2010. | Clear Cut Looking Into Schoharie Valley.
There are some nice views of the Schoharie Valley due to the recent logging. These views will probably be gone within 2-3 years. Taken on August 28, 2010. |
Hairpin Turn on DEC Truck Trail.
This portion of the truck trail over South Mountain, as it starts to descend into the Schoharie Valley is quite steep. You can see part of the vast expanse that has recently been logged. Taken on August 28, 2010. | White Birch and White Pine Logged.
You can see where they have clear cut this section, just above the hairpin turn. They took the wood they wanted, and left a lot of logging trash for critters to live in until a new forest grows on up. Taken on August 28, 2010. | Along the Long Path.
This is up on the ridge of South Mountain, below Ashland Pinnacle. The trail was hard to follow through this section, as a lot of trees that had blazes on them where long fallen, although for a while the trail followed the log haul road. Taken on August 28, 2010. |
South Mountain Hairpin Turn.
From up above on the South Mountain Road. Taken on August 28, 2010. | Looking Across South Mountain Road.
Down into the Schoharie Valley as I hiked up it, searching for the intersection of the Long Path. Taken on August 28, 2010. | South Mountain State Forest Sign.
Looking around and exploring the area, showing the big clear cut between South Mountain Truck Trail, and spur up towards Richmond Mountain. Taken on August 28, 2010. |
Following the Long Path Thru a Clear Cut.
There is a long path marker on the haul road and buffer between clear cut zones, but following it through all that logging trash was a pain, as all the markers where gone, and trail was rough. I lost the trail, then later found it again. Yet I decided to turn back, when I found the rest of the trail was all grown over and the markers where faded. A lot of the land up on Huntersfield Mountain Range is private, and I did not want to be trespassing. Taken on August 28, 2010. | Steenberg Mountain.
That's one of the peaks outside of Catskill Park that's privately owned, but quite noticeable. Taken on August 28, 2010. | Long Path Along the Haul Road.
This portion of the Long Path was a little easier to follow, due to be along the log haul road, but there still was relatively few markers. Just past here, I turned back, as it was too difficult to follow, and it was getting late, having spent so much time looking for the trail. Taken on August 28, 2010. |
Leonard Hill.
You can see the fire tower on Leonard Hill from this range. I hope some day they open that tower up, because I'm sure it has some great views of the Catskills. Taken on August 28, 2010. | Richmond Mountain.
As seen walking back to the truck along the Long Path, through the Clear Cut. Taken on August 28, 2010. | Walking a Haul Road to South.
Both side of the South Mountain Range have recently been logged, providing views that are accessible via well established haul roads. These are quite popular for tourists who normally do not hike, escorted by locals, to get good views of the Northern Catskill Mountain Ranges. It's totally flat, 1/4 mile walk from the South Mountain Truck Trail. Taken on August 28, 2010. |
Bare Top of South Mountain.
The range is pretty flat here, and open meadow. This section probably was logged last year, and within a year will be grown all over again. Taken on August 28, 2010. | South-East.
In the distance can be seen Windham High Peak, the Peaks of Devils Clove, including Sugar Loaf and Indian Head. Taken on August 28, 2010. | Windham Mountain.
The ski slopes appear all green this time of year, looking down from South Mountain Clear Cut. Taken on August 28, 2010. |
Plateau Mountain and Hunter Mountain.
It's too bad that the sun wasn't good for this picture. One of these days, I'll get up there in the morning and get some better pictures of the mountains. Taken on August 28, 2010. | Kaaterskill High Peak and Other Mountains.
At least that's what I think I am looking at. It's a bit confusing with all those peaks jumbled up there, looking south east from South Mountain. Taken on August 28, 2010. | South-West.
Ashland Pinnacle is to the extreme right, with the East Jewett Range in the foreground, and Evergreen, Rusk, Hunter behind it. Taken on August 28, 2010. |
