Escaping the big city; a view of Manhattan from West New York in Jersey as we leave town.
At the trailhead of Spruceton Trail, a mostly easy hike to the summit of Hunter Mountain.
The lush vegetation of the Catskills region.
Grass on the trail? This is like a walk in the park!
The fire tower atop Hunter Mountain.
Looking down on the ranger's shack from the fire tower.
The view from atop the fire tower. The barren streaks in the center are the ski runs of Hunter Mountain ski resort on a lower sub-peak of the mountain.
The Backpackers.
Another lookout near Hunter Mountain's summit.
Our camp on the first night, a woodsy area near an offshoot trail leading to Southwest Hunter Mountain.
Cassie cooks up a gourmet meal on the Pocket Rocket stove.
Yes, I'm happy. Just too exhausted to smile.
Hanging the "bear bag" (though we encountered no bears).
After a long night's sleep (bedtime was 8:00 p.m. both nights), time for some fresh-brewed drip Starbucks coffee!
Buttermilk Falls, aka Diamond Notch Falls.
Of course, I couldn't resist jumping in.
Refreshed, and ready to hit Devil's Path!
The second half of our trip, hiking Devil's Path to the summit of West Kill Mountain, was far tougher than we'd intended.
Devil's Path stole my sole. (But MacGyver saved it with duct tape and rope.)
We did it! And we felt like it!
We enjoyed several far-ranging views, but this one -- Buck Ridge Lookout from the summit of West Kill Mountain -- was by far the best.
Cassie atop Buck Ridge Lookout.
Surveying the map to see how much further we have to go.
Our "hideaway campsite" in the ferns on the second night: a lovely site, found as daylight was running out with no good campsite prospects.
A reverse angle view of the lush site.
Devil's Path was just as steep going down the other side as it was going up.
Idyllic Mink Hollow, which Cassie called the "enchanted forest" -- the most scenic part of the weekend.
Mink Hollow. This panorama (stitched strangely by my software) doesn't do the scenery justice.
A final rest on the home stretch.
End of the line. The packs get a well-deserved rest.
Back to the city, remembering why we love the great outdoors so much.
