We hiked this section on January 16, 2011.
Knitting Bull, Python & Dirigo started this hike at Blairstown/Millbrook Road. We had planned on starting from Blue Mountain Road but with the conditions of yesterday, we decided to shorten this trip and not hike into the AT crossing at Blue Mountain Road until a later date.
This was an excellent hike!
We started the hike with sunny skies and crossed over a small snow covered bridge with a stream.
We followed an old road which had been broken by other hikers and cross country skis.
Broken Trail
A few times the AT left the old road and Dirigo broke trail, but the conditions were much better than yesterday. The snow was light and fluffy.
The trail ascended up over the mountain and reaches Catfish Fire Tower. The tower was built in 1922 and was used as a lookout for the New Jersey forest service who would watch for smoke off the mountain in dry times.
Catfish fire tower
Python & Dirigo started to climb the tower but the wind got a little crazy and the sides of the tower are not good in places, so we both opted not to go to the top. When we got to the bottom we both saw a NO Trespassing sign on the tower. Ops!
Knitting Bull took some pictures of the tower and there was a snowman that some one had made on the picnic table near the tower.
We scared 2 grouse out of their winter homes when we walked by and one scared us pretty bad as it was very close to the trail. The trail follows the ridge and great views were had of the Delaware River off in the distance.
Trail with blaze
We hiked on the rock ledge which would have been pretty scary if the route would been been icy.
Rocky ledge with view to the left
The area had been well traveled by people probably staying at Camp Mohican.
We descended the mountain and stopped by the center to change clothes and check out the facility again.