Today’s sunrise was at 6:02 am. The next time the sun will rise later then today 🌄 is in 116 days on Sunday, August 16.
The average high for today is 63 degrees. 🌡 The next time it will be on average cooler then today is in 175 days on Wednesday, October 14 when the average temperature will be 62 degrees.
The highest point for the sun today will be 59.6° from the horizon at 12:54 pm. 🌞 The next time the sun will be lower in the sky mid-day is in 121 days on Friday, August 21.
Today has 13 hours and 52 minutes of daylight. ⏳ The next time the day will be shorter then today is in 120 days on Thursday, August 20.
Today’s sunset will be at 7:44 pm. The next time the sun will set earlier then today 🌆 is in 124 days on Monday, August 24.
The average low for today is 40 degrees. 🌡 The next night it will be on average cooler then tonight is in 182 days on Wednesday, October 21 when the average temperature will be 39 degrees.
Choosing between a Short Bed (6.75 feet) and a Long Bed (8 feet) on a Ford Super Duty depends on how you balance daily maneuverability against maximum utility.
The long bed is the traditional choice for workhorses and heavy-duty towing.
Positives
Massive Cargo Volume: Fits 4×8 sheets of plywood/drywall with the tailgate closed.
Fuel Capacity: Long bed models feature a much larger fuel tank (up to 48 gallons with the Quad Cab), significantly extending range while towing.
Towing Stability: The longer wheelbase provides a smoother ride and better tracking when pulling heavy trailers.
Fifth-Wheel Clearance: Offers plenty of room for a 5th-wheel or gooseneck hitch without needing a sliding hitch to clear the truck cab.
Higher Payload: Often has a slightly higher payload capacity due to the frame configuration.
Negatives
Parking Nightmares: Nearly impossible to fit in standard garage stalls or tight grocery store parking spots.
Turning Radius: Requires “wide turns” similar to a commercial vehicle; difficult to navigate narrow city streets.
Off-Road Obstacles: The long wheelbase makes the truck more likely to “high-center” on peaks or rocks.
The short bed is the “lifestyle” choice, favored by those who use their truck as a daily driver. 🚙
Positives
Daily Drivability: Easier to park, U-turn, and navigate through drive-thrus or car washes.
Garage Friendly: More likely to fit inside a standard residential garage.
Better Breakover Angle: Performs better in off-road or uneven terrain because there is less belly to get stuck.
Lighter Weight: The truck itself weighs less, which can marginally improve unladen fuel economy.
Negatives
Smaller Fuel Tank: Usually limited to a 34-gallon tank, meaning more frequent stops on long trips.
Trailer Clearance: Requires a sliding hitch for 5th-wheel towing to prevent the trailer from hitting the truck cab during tight turns.
Tailgate Down: You must leave the tailgate open (or use an extender) to haul standard construction materials.
Choppier Ride: The shorter wheelbase can feel “busier” or bouncier on concrete highways compared to the long bed.
For an outdoorsman who values quiet over amenities, Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest is a premier destination in the Schoharie Valley region. Spanning over 10,000 acres, it offers the kind of rugged solitude that is increasingly hard to find in the Catskills.
Primitive Camping and Solitude
Camping here is primitive with no facilities, though some campsites have minimal infrastructure like stone tables or bushcraft built up by generations of campers. The Duck Pond Campsite offers a designated site, within the isolation of the forest’s interior roads. Betty Brook Road is rough and requires a high-clearance vehicle; you’ll find three campsites there, it gets very rough and muddy south of the second bridge. If you prefer a “deep woods” feel, the campsite in the dark, steep corridor of Cole Hollow Road offers maximum privacy. More accessible sites can be found along West Kill Road and Sawyer Hollow Road, which is plowed year-round, making it a viable option for cold-weather enthusiasts when other interior roads become impassable.
Trails and Water Features
The Long Path serves as the arterial trail through the forest. A lean-to is situated between Morey Road and Burnt Hill Road for those trekking through. One of the most scenic stretches lies between Cole Hollow Road and Huckleberry Kingdom Road, where the trail passes several waterfalls. Huckleberry Kingdom Road itself has been reclaimed by nature; years of washouts have closed it to motor vehicles, turning it into a quiet, wide path perfect for a hike or a mountain bike ride.
Looking Glass Pond provides accessible fishing docks and a perimeter trail. It’s a good spot for a picnic or for landing a few fish in a scenic setting.
Seasonal Recreation
The forest transitions with the seasons:
Spring/Summer: Foraging for morel mushrooms and wild leeks is a local tradition. The unpaved forest roads provide miles of grit for mountain bikers.
Autumn: Hunting and trapping are mainstay activities here. Because of the heavy use by hunters, wearing blaze orange is recommended for anyone entering the woods during these months.
Winter: Most interior roads are not plowed. Once the snow accumulates, the forest becomes a hub for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
The Surrounding Valley
The trip is best paired with a stop in Fultonham at Shaul’s Farm Stand or Boehringer’s Fruit Farm for fresh produce. If you have extra time, the Schoharie Valley offers iconic hikes like Vroman’s Nose and the Middleburgh Cliffs. For a change of pace, the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project and Mine Kill State Park offer free swimming and recreation. Further afield, you can head to Stamford to hike Mount Utsayantha or bike the 26-mile Catskill Scenic Trail, which follows an old rail bed through the heart of the countryside.
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