BALSAM LAKE MOUNTAIN - CATSKILL 3500 PEAK
Sun, Mar 20
|Ulster County
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR BEGINNERS!!! Balsam Lake Mountain is one of the Catskill Mountains, located in the Town of Hardenburgh, NY. It is the westernmost of the range's 35 High Peaks. Rank # 14


Time & Location
Mar 20, 2022, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM EDT
Ulster County, Catskill Mountains, Shandaken, NY 12464, USA
Guests
About the event
Thank you for your interest in TriState Hikers CATSKILL WINTER HIKES 2022!
TriState Hikers Inc is a Nonprofit Organization in New York City, NY and our mission is to promote Mental Health Awareness through guided hikes, backpacking trips and overnight camping. We have recognized the need for more access to the outdoors for persons with limited resources and finances to escape the hectic city for a day of quiet nature. Our weekly hikes are open to anyone who wishes to spend time in nature, to heal and improve overall mental health.
HIKE DETAILS:
One of the two high peaks that feature fire towers, Balsam Lake Mountain is accessed from the Balsam Lake Mountain Trail, a short side trail off the Dry Brook Ridge Trail. Trailed approaches from the north, south and west offer plenty of variation for visiting this peak. While no views are possible from the summit without ascending the tower, the dense balsam fir forest is beautiful and serene.
- Date: Sunday, March 20, 2022
- Time: 4:30am (Brooklyn)
- Transportation: $45 (round trip)
- Meet up location: Contact Ava
- Destination: Balsam Lake Mountain, Catskill
- Trailhead: Rider Hollow Road
- Hike begins: 8:00am
- Finish: 2pm
- Length: 4.3 miles (Loop)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Weather: Winter Conditions
- TriState Hikers Waiver / COVID-19 Policies: Must be signed
Suggested Donation to TriState Hikers outdoor programs for children and Adult via PayPal-tristatehikers@gmail.com
Please indicate if you will be driving or using TriState hikers transportation.
WHAT TO WEAR
Clothing:
- Wool socks (pack an extra pair)
- Microspikes or Crampons
- Merino wool base layers (top & bottom)
- Snow suit or waterproof pants
- Trekking Poles (A must)
- Extra layer (sweater)
- Face, Neck & Leg Gaiters
- Waterproof gaiters for shoes
- Waterproof boots
- Gloves & hat
- Headlamp
- Great attitude
WHAT TO BRING:
Food & water:
- 2 liters (warm water)
- Lunch -recommended hot soup with protein
- Avocado/tuna sandwich
- Hot tea
- snacks -protein bars/boiled eggs/nuts
Other items you may want to consider
- Back up battery pack (with travel case)
- Camera
- Seat pad (for breaks)
- Personal first aid supplies – aspirin, band-aids
- Hand warmers & foot warmers
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Ziplock bag (to store food & electronics)
- Dry bags ( to keep contents in your backpack dry)
- Great attitude
Trail Etiquettes: simple guidelines to make the trail an enjoyable experience for everyone.
- Stay on the trail. Do not take shortcuts even if you see what looks like a faint trail because it causes erosion and disrupts the gorgeous and precious ecosystems and environment you’re out there to appreciate.
- Take nothing, leave nothing. Pack out what you bring in, leave no trace, Take pictures instead!
- Passing & standing down. Stay to the right on wider trails and always make your presence known when about to pass by saying something like, “coming up on your left.” Stand down to faster hikers, Be cautious.
- We’re all having our own experience. Abundant space is one of my favorite things about hiking, but remember everyone is out for their own experience. Don’t camp out with your camera in the middle of a trail or at some stunning view .
- Greet people as they pass. It’s common practice,
- Please don’t wear perfume. Not even a little. It is awful to be in someone’s perfume cloud when you’re concentrating on your breathing.
- Going to the bathroom. Look for an area away from the trail,please pack out sanitary wipes,pads and tampons but using a small ziplock bag.sanitize or wash hand after.
Looking forward to meeting everyone
~AVA ~
Avalou Ross
Founder~TriState Hikers Inc.
(929)413-6097
tristatehikers@gmail.com