"Six of us did the classic DP-4 from Mink Hollow to Prediger road. Ironically five of our friends were doing the same hike so we became a group of 11. Enough ice to warrant use of micro spikes but nothing overly serious. Chilly day with some wind kept us moving. " — Nimblefoot • Mar 22, 2024

"A beautiful hike with Eric, Maryellen, and Tina on Super Bowl Sunday. Went up the less sketchy side! Only a few parts that we had to slow down on. Cool rock chairs at Dibbles Quarry. Used Hillsounds and carried snow shoes. Done by 2:00!" — lfrancois • Feb 11, 2024

"Solo. Set my alarm for 04:45 yesterday thinking, “yeah right,” after having hiked Hadley in the morning. Been a long time since I did back to back days. Was awake before my alarm! Thankfully didn’t really gear down my car yesterday so getting ready was easy. Was on the road for 5, & it was truly authentic Kellie kind of day. Threading my car up the curves of 23A in the pre dawn hours, blasting hip hop, thinking about all of the dozens of times and however many cars I’ve done that same drive in before. Feeling very rooted. Arrived at the Mink Hollow trailhead around 07:00, car showed 16° - zero cars there, glanced at the poor excuse of a trail and nearly balked. Took my time gearing up and cursing all of the bare booters, shrugged because wtf am I gonna do, drive home? & on my way I went. Trail conditions: total ass. I slowly snowshoe clattered my way next to the stream feeling cranky & sore & pushing snow. Made the junction and realized I was about to hit the Devil’s Path for the first time in … idk when. Big oof. Hurt a lot. Pace was absolutely embarrassing as my quads started cramping about halfway up, I stopped frequently to hydrate. Hit true summit, back..." — kellieirene • Feb 4, 2024

"To finish the year 8 of us hiked the four peaks on the eastern end of the Devils Path(DP-4) for Rebecca to close out her December on her first Catskill grid. This would leave only January and February to finish before her finale in March. In her early 70’s she is quite frisky physically and has a wonderful let’s do this attitude. The trail is mostly clear of snow and ice but there is enough icy patches warranting the carrying of the micro spikes. The summit of Plateau looked wintry with a recent dusting of snow on the ground and in the trees, like a scene from a holiday greeting card. The other three peaks looked as if we were still in late fall with barely any snow and the occasional wet spot with recent temps still hitting the low to upper 40’s." — Nimblefoot • Dec 31, 2023

"Solo hike of Plateau and Sugarloaf to complete the DP-4 for a single season Fall round. Started from the Mink Hollow(north) PA and took an old woods road as a shortcut to the Devils Path up on Plateau. On the climb I encountered a frustrating mix of ice and rock making the use of spikes a bit awkward so I just barebooted very carefully to the summit. On my descent I bushwhacked a shortcut down to the trail thereby avoiding most of the icy spots. Managed to summit Sugarloaf without spikes resorting to careful foot placement and literally threw chunks of ice off the trail for a safer ascent and descent. Lower down on Sugarloaf I again bushwhacked a shortcut just for the fun of it." — Nimblefoot • Dec 4, 2023

"Started at 1:30, up from Mink Hollow. Beautiful weather, enough snow and ice to make it fun. We bare booted the way up and wore the spikes down. Saw lots of bear tracks! Ran into a couple who were unprepared for the hike on the way down, slowed down our pace to make sure they made it out. Walked out after dark. " — kitandtrapperj • Nov 25, 2023

"Traverse of the Devils Path 4, Plateau to Indian Head, with Richard. Good company and great weather makes for a nice day on the peaks. Besides the two guys doing the DP end to end for the NEU8 very few other hikers out and about." — Nimblefoot • Sep 14, 2023

"Fun hike of Vly and Bearpen out of Johnson Hollow with Richard and Susan in the AM. Afterwards Susan headed to Balsam Lake mtn and I headed to Sugarloaf mtn while Richard headed home. As I approached parking area at the end of Mink Hollow road a hiker,near one of the last houses, tried to forewarn me not to proceed because there was a black bear in the area. He further explained that it was chasing two women hiking either Plateau or Sugarloaf. I continued on to the end and parked the car with it still running and the driver door open, in case I had to make quick exit, and began to scan the woods for any bear. Minutes later two women come down the trail with a third following and finally a juvenile bear just loping along like a pet animal. The bear looked undernourished and was simply following the hikers down to parking area then toward the houses looking for his next “happy meal”. I ascended and descended Sugarloaf as quickly as I could so that my car was left unattended for the shortest period of time. The whole time I kept my eyes peeled for any other hungry bears lurking about on the mountain." — Nimblefoot • Aug 14, 2023

"Sauntered across the DP-4 from Mink Hollow PA to Prediger rd PA with Mimi, Miyon and Peter. Most of the hikers we encountered were heading west, doing the DP end2end, while we were east." — Nimblefoot • Apr 22, 2023

"Mimi, Rebecca and I met at the Prediger road lot then we shuttled over to Mink Hollow in Mimi’s little Kona. Another day where the snowshoes just stayed in the car and only a pair or two of micro spikes were carried. The spikes were put on higher up on the mountain as we encountered short patches of ice that eventually became continuous. Our descent was nearly as slow as our ascent as we put safety ahead of any speed at this point do to the ice still rather hard with the lower morning temps. Down in Mink hollow itself we met up with our friend Barbara who didn’t need Plateau but did need the other three peaks of the DP-4. To boost our spirits even more she came loaded with treats like muffins, wraps, bagel sandwiches and coffee from the Circle W market in Palenville. Our scamper over Sugarloaf, Twin and out & back from Indian head went much easier and faster as the warming temps softened the ice we encountered allowing better grip. On some of the easier downhills we actually ran with utmost confidence. Our lunch stops were the view ledge on our way up Sugarloaf and the summit of south Twin where enjoyed Barbara’s treats in the sunshine. Since it’s still winter once the sun g..." — Nimblefoot • Feb 20, 2023