Big Indian Mountain

"Seven of us did a loop of Fir, Big Indian and Eagle mountains from Barnum Hollow road. We picked up an eighth person, George from the Albany area, at the canister on Fir. We rotated leads for breaking out a track, in some nice deep fluff, acrossed the land bridge to Big Indian. After another group photo we dropped down the herd path to the P-W trail where we bid adiu to George as he headed left toward Biscuit brook lot and we headed right toward Eagle mountain. Somehow we lost the normal herd path after leaving the can, no sign of old tracks, so our track is good at the two ends but wanders a bit in between. We headed up the trail a bit to find a nice spot for our lunch which was augmented with home made dumplings and hot ginger tea thanks to Yong Ae. Properly fortified it was back to breaking trail towards Eagle, our third and final peak." — Nimblefoot • Feb 2, 2019

"Tom, Steve and I did a nice traverse of Fir, Big Indian and Eagle from Rt 47 to Burnham Hollow PA. After a hot climb of Fir we headed acrossed the land bridge to BI. Up high the temperature was much cooler and humidity much lower so our soaked clothes were now cooling us....nice! Followed herd paths all the way acrossed so no navigational instruments were harmed during this adventure. After doing the usual sign-in and perusal of past visitors we whacked a short cut over to the P-W trail on our way to Eagle. " — Nimblefoot • Aug 30, 2018

"Tom M. from Hikers Anonymous put together a crazy combo of six peaks from the fire tower on Balsam Lake mtn to Balsam mtn on the P-W trail. Seven of us joined him for a fun day of trail hiking, bushwhacking, heat and the ever annoying black flies. Big indian was our 4th peak of the day and a turning point in the hike for most. We were back on trail, after the whack from Graham over Doubletop to the P-W, but most folks were already feeling the mileage, ellie gain and the heat. Water bottles were emptied, socks were changed on aching feet and assorted snacks were consumed in preparation for the final two peaks. Upon reading the canister book we see Mike S. had signed in stating BI as peak #12 on his quest of setting a new record of doing the Cat35 in one hike/run." — Nimblefoot • May 26, 2018

"Steve, Ed and I spent the day playing in some deep snow on and off trail. After a challenging ascent of Fir we pushed on into the deep fluff working our way toward Big Indian. I smartly choose the initial downward leg to break through then let the other two swap out on the ascent, often flattish, until it was my time again for the steep up to the canister. About 5 and a 1/2 hours of work now we are ready to head back via the trail and enjoy some easier ‘shoeing. Uh oh the herd path isn’t broke out so we just wing it and angle down until we see the blue markers of the trail. Now we are pushing through 1.5 - 2 feet of snow with the occasional drift but at least we are a trail and heading home. As we drop in elevation the snow depth gradually decreases as the miles slowly tick by. Once we reach our own track coming in it’s an easier shuffle albeit o tired legs. Ed had a poor finish as he met up with mr. bonk and struggled the last few miles. Another fine day in the fluff that had us wishing we were on skis." — Nimblefoot • Mar 15, 2018

"Out bagging Fir and Big Indian with Laura and Steve. I was the designated navigator/trail breaker and fortunately I had broken out a track a week ago. Snow flurries and wind all day with warmer temps. for a change. My week old track between the two peaks was getting filled in with drifting snow slowing our progress over to Big Indian. Finished our day with a long slog out to the Bisquit Brook parking lot where we found our cars covered with 3 inches of fluffy snow." — Nimblefoot • Jan 4, 2018

"Headed in from Rider Hollow PA, on a splendid cool sunny day, to visit the summits of Big Indian, Eagle and Balsam mountains. As I neared the leanto I could hear voices even though there was no other car in the parking lot. A couple of nincompoops pitched their tent inside the leanto and had their food bag hanging only 4 feet off the ground with a bottle of Jack below it. I guess they figured any bear or other ingenious animal might opt for the bottle and not the food. The rest of my hike out to Big Indian was uneventful and didn't see another hiker despite it being a holiday weekend. " — Nimblefoot • Sep 4, 2017

"After visiting the summits of BLM, Graham and Doubletop Laura, Steve and I continued on to Big Indian while Tom headed down to Seager PA. On our way down Doubletop we pass one of the searchers looking for a lost 60 year old hiker." — Nimblefoot • Aug 3, 2017

"Laura, Steve and I hiked Fir and Big Indian from Bisquit Brook. After a short visit at the canister on Fir I let Steve take us across the land bridge to Big Indian. So far the predicted showers haven't showed up though we are wet, including our feet, from last nights rain. Steve heads back to the car to move it to Rider Hollow while Laura and I continue on to Eagle and Balsam." — Nimblefoot • Jul 1, 2017

"The 4th peak of our traverse of Balsam Lake, Graham, Doubletop, Big Indian and Fir mountains. After our whack down from Doubletop then whack up to the P-W trail it was an easy walk up a herd path to our 2nd canister of the day. " — Nimblefoot • Jun 1, 2017

"Tom, Laura, Steve and I did a bushwhack loop of Fir, Big Indian and Eagle mountains from Burnham Hollow road parking lot. On our whack from Fir mountain we looked for a watch reported to be lost in the area but we had no luck, too many possible routes along the land bridge." — Nimblefoot • May 23, 2017

"The Catskill Crew and Co. climbed Doubletop for Paul's finish of the Catskill 3500 then four of us continued on to Big Indian and Eagle for their 1st, 2nd or 3rd Grid. The crossing from D-top to the P-W trail went well" — Nimblefoot • Oct 4, 2016

"Tom, Laura,Steve and I did a thru hike of Fir, Big Indian and Doubletop from Burnham Hollow road to Seager. Found a key to a Honda car on our crossing of the land bridge to BI." — Nimblefoot • Apr 28, 2016

"Tom, Anna, Ann and I visiting the canisters on Fir and Big Indian. 2 - 3 inches of sticky snow on top of ice equals slippery. Post hike stop at Rocco's for burgers and liquids." — Nimblefoot • Jan 15, 2016

"After tagging Doubletop we continued up the P-W trail to the Herdpath to Big Indian. Near the summit we caught up to a father & daughter heading up, the only other hikers we saw all day. Next we take the land bridge over to Fir." — Nimblefoot • Jun 15, 2013

"Trail and bushwhack hike of Doubletop, Big Indian and Fir from Bisquit Brook TH. Finally saw the plane crash on the side of Doubletop on the way back to the PW trail heading for Big Indian." — Nimblefoot • Oct 21, 2012