"Eagle and Balsam in the AM out of Rider Hollow TH then over to Spruceton road to do an out and back to West Kill. Saw no one on my hike of E & B then all the way up West Kill running into friends, the last was the can-man himself Jim Bouton." — Nimblefoot • Aug 15, 2025

"A hike from the Rider Hollow side of the mountains. I headed up Oliverea Mapledale Tr and ascended to the Pine Hill West Branch Tr. I then headed south on Pine Hill towards Eagle Mtn. There were some spots along the way that were overgrown, including a spot where I could see the trail corridor but I had to push through chest high plants. I reached the side herd path to Eagle and a short distance along that side path brought me to the summit canister. I then backtracked to the trail junction and headed north on Pine Hill to ascend up Balsam. A short side path brings you to the wooded summit. I continued onwards, descending down the steep northern side of Balsam. I passed the junction of Mine Hollow Tr and continued on towards Belleayre Mtn. There were plenty of places where stinging nettles were gently hanging over the trail. I reached the trail junction of Belleayre Ridge, and then backtracked down Pine Hill back to Mine Hollow Tr. I then descended quickly down Mine Hollow Tr and reached the trailhead later. Not much for views on this hike today. " — newenglandwarrior • Aug 8, 2025

"Excellent point-to-point traverse to bag four 3500 Club Peaks. Note: this route requires two cars. It starts with an unmarked ascent up Fir, and, thankfully, the herd paths are well tread with relatively little blowdown. Staying on the herd path will take you over Big Indian summit before reconnecting with the Pine Hill-West Branch Trail which will then take you over Eagle and Haynes before descending to the Oliverea-Mapledale Trail junction and ultimately to Balsam. The trails and herdpaths are easily discernible. Some spots along the ridge had irritating summer overgrowth. The humidity of the day was the actual challenge. Was grateful for the cool stream flowing down from Balsam that feeds the Esopus Creek." — Peak-abu89 • Jul 12, 2025

"Ed and I hiked Balsam and Eagle out of McKenley Hollow after meeting at Slide Mountain motel. Strangely we had the trails and peaks to ourselves despite it being the Friday prior to Father’s Day. Maybe the fact that it was the 13th scared everyone off. We finished our day with a visit to West Kill brewing." — Nimblefoot • Jun 13, 2025

"Balsam and Eagle loop out of Rider Hollow with Mimi. She needed the two for a single season Spring round of the Cat 35( 33 official peaks plus two alternates for the removed peaks). She was a tired from doing the Devils Path 4 yesterday with Joanne so today we had chat-filled all day saunter. Up to the view on Balsam where we stopped for rest and snack break before heading on to the summit obelisk rock. While we were at the view another couple arrived, with a small dog, who asked if it was alright to share the view(of course). On to the ever popular walk out and back from Eagle with the double crossing of the mighty Haynes who lost its summit cairn to one of those cairn-knockers. Once back to the 4-way junction it was a pleasant stroll back down to the car. At the first stream crossing we met a single male with a dog heading up. The broad unabridged stream crossing near the dilapidated leanto Mimi was a bit challenged walking a downed tree, to keep her feet dry, which had a bit of “spring” to it. Mimi is a bit water crossing phobic as a few yrs ago she went for a swim when she hit some black ice on a rock. I’ve been working on bolstering her confidence ever since….a work in prog..." — Nimblefoot • May 26, 2025

"Joined Tom R.( aka Serenity Now ) for a FirBBIE. A traverse of Fir, Big Indian, Eagle and Balsam from Barnum Hollow PA to McKenley Hollow TH. The most snow we encountered was on our ascent of Fir then the rest of the way it was spotty but mostly bare ground. The ascent of Eagle completed my 68th round." — Nimblefoot • Mar 27, 2025

"Eagle and Balsam on an out and back hike from Rider Hollow PA with Tom2, Susan and Tony. Susan and Tony couldn’t maintain the same pace as Tom and I plus the fact we were doing Balsam Lake afterwards they suggested we split into two groups. We would meet them on our return from each peak before dropping down to the PA. Short drive from Rider Hollow to Mill Brook road PA where we found an unplowed lot and about six cars parking the wrong way. These folks foolishly parked parallel to the road rather than perpendicular which allows at least twice as many cars to park. Fortunately they left within a short period of time so we could park and meet up with our good friend Rebecca. She is returning from a month off from a sprained ankle and did Halcott beforehand. She is 70 yrs young with the drive and energy of a 30 yr old, very inspiring. The road/trail is great for a chat filled hike to the tower. After a climb up the frost covered stairs and railing to get some photo ops we headed back anxious to start the weekend and rest up for a big hike on Monday. Spikes all day with snowshoes carried on the E and B hike but not on the BL hike. On BL would have been nice just for efficiency ..." — Nimblefoot • Jan 17, 2025

"Wore the snowshoes from trailhead back to trailhead. Came in from Rider Hollow, a few inches at the parking area and 18-24" across the summit ridge. The trail was broken out up and across to Balsam, but not over to Eagle. It was a fun afternoon of breaking trail to Eagle. I will sleep well tonight." — Right-On • Nov 24, 2024

"A loop of Eagle and Balsam from the McKenley Hollow trailhead. Took the usual woods road/bushwhack up to Eagle rather than the trail(s)then planned to whack down from the Balsam summit rock to the O-M trail and out to change things up a bit. Once I hit Balsam and chatted with a couple and their 4 dogs I mindlessly went down the trails out of habit. Probably I good thing as the fallen leaves would have made the whack down rather slippery putting more strain on aching knees. To finish up the day I headed over to Red Hill to ascend to the fire tower via the newer trail. The PA is quite small and managed to get the last parking spot literally only minutes before the next car arrived. Since it was Friday and the tail end of Fall colors I was not surprised. Fortunately the day warmed up nicely, like normal early Fall, so I was able switch to shorts. Such a relief for the 4 mile round trip. This hike completed my monthly grid of Red Hill and ironically October looks like the most popular month to hike Red Hill." — Nimblefoot • Oct 18, 2024

"The two Tom’s and I did the infamous Biscuits and Gravy hike of Hikers Anonymous. This time we changed the start point from Burnham Hollow PA to Maben Hollow road. We parked right at the beginning of the road, off Rt 47, in a spot on the left side that would hold two or three cars. After saying Good Morning to a gentleman who was just coming back from a dog walk we sauntered down the dirt road passed the gentleman’s house then straight onto an old woods road. For some reason there was a chain across the road and the easement sign was missing, most likely more hikers are using this approach to Fir and the locals are noticing. Nav is straight forward, follow the road then up top begin to “bend” to your left eventually hitting one of the numerous herd paths. The saunter over to Big Indian is quite easy with the numerous herd paths. Tom R. was setting a blistering hiking pace so we were over to the canister in short order. Next Tom M. led the whack from the can on BI to the P-W trail then straight onto the herd path towards S-DT climbing Pigeon Peak on the way. Just over 3hrs for the round trip to the Doubletop alternative…ugh! Back on the P-W trail now it’s a straightforward sau..." — Nimblefoot • Aug 5, 2024