"Did a mixed bag of peaks with friends Tom R, Tom M, Tony and Danielle. Started off with BP and Vly out of Johnson Hollow(Rt 3). Tom M brought his magic car( Subie Solterra) and drove the five of us up to the col with the hunters cabin. This saved us the monotonous walk up and down the gravel road. Next up Halcott on our way out of the hollow. Doing Halcott from the “backside”( a small PA off Elk Creek road) is a nice change from the usual PA in deep notch on Rt 42. An easy whack especially once most of the climbing is done. A good herd path has been established right to the canister. Finally we head over to Mill Brook road PA for a stroll up to the fire tower atop BLM. A leisurely sit-down at the picnic table ensued with snacks and bevs." — Nimblefoot • Aug 19, 2025

"Panther in the late morning then Halcott for the afternoon. Met good friend Yong Ae near the summit of Panther then over on Halcott ran into the Can Man, Jim Bouton, and had a lengthy chat. A very warm day….a sweat fest." — Nimblefoot • Jul 26, 2025

"Hiking leftover peaks with Tom2 and Susan on a day that started off dry but threatening then gradually got very wet before it cleared up and turned sunny. We started off with Vly and Bearpen out of Johnson Hollow on Co Rt 3. Now soaking wet Susan headed straight to BLM to finish her day while Tom and I stopped off at the PA on Elk Creek road to do Halcott from the back door so to speak. We actually donned rain pants for this venture as protection from the nettles and other soaking wet vegetation. The sky gradually cleared so it was a treat to get out of the rain gear when we returned to the car. Now Tom and I head to BLM to finish our day passing Susan heading home near the Belleayre ski area on Rt 49a. Not surprising we had the trail and peak to ourselves. A highlight of the day was meeting three friends, Chris with dog Misty and Victoria and Rick, then spending a half hour hanging out under the porch roof of the hunters cabin. We caught up on everyones life while waiting for the rain storm to pass. " — Nimblefoot • Jun 9, 2025

"Back for day two in a row and again solo. Tagging the summit of Panther for round #70 followed by Halcott for 3-season round #48. Another day on the coolish side and I was wearing shorts so a strong steady pace was the order of the day. Passing folks all the way up who were heading to Panther whether they knew it or not. Its amazing how many people hike right pass Giant Ledges thinking there are more ahead. Nope that would be Panther, there is no signs identifying either one. Between Giant Ledges and the TH I passed numerous groups coming in, thinking the PA must by overflowing and cars parked up and down the shoulder. I temporarily forgot, senior-itis, that it was a holiday weekend until I met an assistant ranger heading in. Her season was just beginning along with the summit stewards and fire tower volunteers. Off to Halcott PA while eating my lunch hoping there will be room to park. Plenty of room but with the warming temps, finally!, the bugs were back. Now a quick ascent in order to stay ahead of the bugs, yeah right! Had to take off my glasses in order to swat at the growing number of black flies swirling my face. On my descent I neared two folks ascending that seems overly ..." — Nimblefoot • May 25, 2025

"Despite a forecast for morning T-storms headed to the Cats to get two peaks, BLM and Rusk, toward a single season Spring round raising total # to 32/35. Since it was only 1:30 in the afternoon I decided to get Halcott for 3season round #47 raising total # to 34/35. Black flies were not a problem on BLM, only minor issue on Rusk, then on Halcott they came out with a vengeance. I head take my eye glasses off on my ascent so that I could swat them away from my face with my bandanna without knocking them off. On my descent from the canister on Halcott I met two other members of Hikers Anonymous, Ed and Jazz, that I haven’t seen for over a year. Nice chat while getting eaten alive by the B-flies catching up on hiking challenges and trail runs. " — Nimblefoot • May 17, 2025

"Hiked two onesies to get closer to completing a 69th round of the Cat 35. Carried the micro spikes just in case I hit some extensive ice patches but they went unused on both hikes. Just off the herd path to Halcott I spotted some early ramps popping up in the sunshine. To make sure I broke off a small piece of one leaf and got the typical onion-like smell." — Nimblefoot • Apr 1, 2025

"Damp ascent, but no mud. Some remnants of snow and ice above 3000', but spikes weren't necessary. I think the book is officially closed on wintery conditions this season. Opted to do an out-and-back versus the loop. Took the Halcott Herd Path (southern route) which was well tread and easy to follow. Recommend crossing the waterfall stream and hiking along the cliff edge to start versus following the suggested route. There was some significant blow-down on the trail. All-in-all, a classic relentlessly moderate Catskill 3500 Club venture. " — Peak-abu89 • Mar 30, 2025

"First Rusk with Joanne, Mimi, Chris G and his dog Misty where we enjoyed sunshine and warm temps that had us wishing we brought shorts. On our descent the sky began to cloud up then on our drive over to the Halcott PA we got rain which turned to snow once we reached the PA. A snowy ascent that took longer than usual as Mimi was suffering from being off the trail for so long. On our descent the snow subsided and clouds parted to allow the blue sky to return. The temperature began to drop considerably, preparing for an overnight sudden drop, so we got early Spring and Winter weather in one day." — Nimblefoot • Mar 1, 2025

"Hiked Vly and Bearpen with Tom2 and Rebecca out of Johnson Hollow. We carried snowshoes but only used micro spikes the whole way. There were some deep/drifty spots where we could have used the ‘shoes but the spots were very short and not worth spending the time switching. We experienced a variety of weather from overcast to blue sky and sun then back to cloudy with snow flurries only to go back to sunny and so on. Rebecca headed to Tannersville to spend time at the Snowed Inn while Tom2 and I headed to the Halcott PA on Rt 42. Again we carried snowshoes but found a solid packed track all the way to the canister so only used the spikes. A short day so I had p,entry of time to do some food shopping, get the car washed and visit my parents in Dutchess County before heading to home in Westchester." — Nimblefoot • Feb 4, 2025

"Cold yet beautiful day to climb Halcott. Went up the 'Herd Path' then down across the ridge and shoulder to the parking area. There was a uprising amount of people on trail especially after seeing no-one on Rusk last week." — Right-On • Dec 22, 2024