selski
New member
Blackhead Range-Catskills
June 25, 2006
Blackhead, Black Dome, Thomas Cole
Moderately difficult
Fairly dry, trails were in good shape
Edgeworker and I Left Poughkeepsie in a downpour. Plans were made, wheels in motion, you have to roll the dice occassionally. As we drove north the weather continually improved. Pulled into the trailhead at the end of Big Hollow Road at 10 am in some fairly favorable conditions. Cool air, no rain, no people. Hiked past Batavia lean to up over Black Head. Nice tough climb. Clouds drifting around the peak but not enough to hurt visibility. We got decent views looking at Black Dome and then back at Black Head, also out to Colgate Lake and Hunter. Left the camera home assuming we would be wet. My mistake. Made good time over Black Dome and out to Thomas Cole. Much easier hiking then the trip up Black Head. As we crossed back over Black Dome on the return trip the skies were getting darker and the summit of Black Head was in the clouds. Back down to the notch and a couple of miles to the car. Five minutes from the car and we ran into some light rain but not enough to make it through the canopy. Rain started to come down heavy just as we closed the car doors. The whole trip is roughly 6-7 miles (I think). Completed in a little over 4 hours with a little sight seeing along the way. Excellent range to hike. It pays to call ahead to ask them to put a delay on the rain.
June 25, 2006
Blackhead, Black Dome, Thomas Cole
Moderately difficult
Fairly dry, trails were in good shape
Edgeworker and I Left Poughkeepsie in a downpour. Plans were made, wheels in motion, you have to roll the dice occassionally. As we drove north the weather continually improved. Pulled into the trailhead at the end of Big Hollow Road at 10 am in some fairly favorable conditions. Cool air, no rain, no people. Hiked past Batavia lean to up over Black Head. Nice tough climb. Clouds drifting around the peak but not enough to hurt visibility. We got decent views looking at Black Dome and then back at Black Head, also out to Colgate Lake and Hunter. Left the camera home assuming we would be wet. My mistake. Made good time over Black Dome and out to Thomas Cole. Much easier hiking then the trip up Black Head. As we crossed back over Black Dome on the return trip the skies were getting darker and the summit of Black Head was in the clouds. Back down to the notch and a couple of miles to the car. Five minutes from the car and we ran into some light rain but not enough to make it through the canopy. Rain started to come down heavy just as we closed the car doors. The whole trip is roughly 6-7 miles (I think). Completed in a little over 4 hours with a little sight seeing along the way. Excellent range to hike. It pays to call ahead to ask them to put a delay on the rain.
