A Hodgepodge Adventure

A lush wetlands

Last week’s adventure in the lower Catskills was quite the experience. We set out on a hike known as ‘The Nazgûl Loop,’ a name that immediately sparked our curiosity. This trail had been on our radar for months, and September felt like the perfect time to conquer it. Despite the crisp autumn air, the swarms of mosquitoes were out in full force, but fortunately, they disappeared when we needed them to.

The Lower Catskills are home to a fascinating array of trail junctions with uniquely intriguing names like ‘Gravestone,’ ‘Times Square,’ and ‘Big Rock.’ However, what truly drew me to this hike was the col between Beech and Mongaup mountains. I had envisioned a narrow ridge akin to a putty knife, but it turned out to be more like a spatula. We initially followed a game path on the east side, later switching to a more defined herd path on the west side. The final ascent to the summit of Mongaup was an adventurous bushwhacking journey, covering over 1/8 mile of navigating through dense brush. I couldn’t help but wonder, “Where’s my machete?” Be sure to check out the photos for proof!

As we made our way out of Hodge Pond, we tried to follow another trail, but it quickly turned into a full-blown bushwhacking scenario. Wisely, we decided to abandon it. All in all, it was a day that perfectly embodied the term ‘hodgepodge adventure.’

Towards the end of our hike, a small group of children approached us, their leader ringing a bell, adding a touch of magic to our day.

Here’s a quick summary of our adventure:

• 11 miles of hiking
• Wildlife sightings: 4 bear, 3 moose, 2 fox (or coyote), 1 mysterious and large creature (a cat, perhaps?)
• Encounters with wildlife: 2 birds, 1 red eft, 7 salamanders, swarms of mosquitoes, and even an inchworm
• Friendly encounters with people: 5 children, later joined by 4 adults
• Surprising remnants of farming or other equipment along the way

Our hodgepodge adventure in the lower Catskills was filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it a day to remember. Nature never ceases to amaze us, and it’s moments like these that make us appreciate it even more.

Hawthorn

Frick Pond

This expansive boardwalk with well-crafted cuts for the curves protects thriving wetlands on the west side of Frick pond.

We’re navigating off the summit of Mongaup

The majestic white pine was on the day’s itinerary.

We planned to approximate much of the route shown in blue. Our track is drawn on top in yellow.

Post Hike Reminiscing about our Devil’s Path hikes, led us to discover this sinful delight from Catskill Brewery. Just snagged it at the Davidson General Store in De Bruce, NY. If you’re in the area on October 7th, don’t miss their 100th-anniversary celebration!