The last few hikes in Sterling Forest have all had surprises, and this one was no exception. This was a simple out-and-back, beginning at the
large parking lot at the intersection of Route 17 and Route 17A near Tuxedo, New York. We took the white-blazed Wildcat Mountain trail north, expecting to reach its northern
terminus at Orange Turnpike, and then head back. As you can see, there was no precipitation when we started, but within minutes it started snowing. And
then harder. And then even harder. We decided, after about 75 minutes, to turn back -- just to be on the safe side. Of course it stopped snowing by the time we
got back to the car, but then began with a fury on our drive home. The forest was lovely in the snow. As if God/the Tao/the Universe/Whatever
decided to sprinkle it with powdered sugar. It was magical.
(Click on the thumbnail to bring up a bigger image in a pop-up window)
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Tranquil at the trailhead |
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Creek crossing |
A dry forest ... for now |
The first switchback up Wildcat Mountain |
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It's beginning to snow |
And harder |
Changing the camera batteries at a waterfall |
An animal skull placed through a limb |
Close-up of teeth |
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Snow cover begins |
Snowing so hard the view is gone (see later photos) |
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Light dusting makes slippery rocks |
There should be a view here too (see later photos) |
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It wasn't very cold; off came a layer |
Off goes my jacket [photo by Laura] |
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Mountain laurel covered |
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Wind blew snow onto one side |
We turned around soon after this point |
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Blazes are getting covered! |
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Damned tree hugger! [photo by Laura] |
Damned macro photographer! |
See! I told you there was a view here |
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View south from the ridge |
Virabhadrasana III in the forest |
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View of Route 17 and Interstate 87 |
Interstate 87 from the ridge |
Compare with Row 4, 2nd photo |
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Ambulance on Route 17 |
Interstate 87 and Route 17 ... oh, and Dan [photo by Laura] |
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Same waterfall, snow-sprinkled |
Back down the first switchback |
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Photographs and content copyright © Dan Balogh Web design by Dan Balogh |