It’s been my belief that descending is always easier. Gravity is on your side and you’ve got your trekking poles extended for stability. There are some instances where you should choose a different path. If it’s too steep or icy, you go another way. Hiking to the summit of Plateau was a calorie burning exercise. Now my hike plan called for me to retrace my steps. The trail had no particularly stressful scrambles and I knew the descent would be tricky in places, but not death defying.
Upon reaching the trail junction in the col between Sugarloaf and Plateau, I would now hike east on the Long Path and climb Sugarloaf Mountain
I would not have far to hike, but it would be all “up.” The one mile trip to Sugarloaf would gain 1200′ of elevation. This too would be an “out and back.” After gaining the summit I’d come out the way I had hiked in.
Time was moving along quickly. A late start meant I would not get back to the trailhead until after noon, and have a long drive home. I started hiking towards the mountain, assuming my ascent would be similar to Plateau.
The trail featured some scrambling straight away, but not as challenging or as plentiful as the mountain next door. This trail had been in full shade all morning and was a bit slicker than going west. Where there had been water climbing Plateau, here there was some ice that required me to be a bit more careful in foot placement.
Despite my cautious hiking efforts, I still made good progress. The path was quite enjoyable, winding through the boulders, scrambles and in one case underneath them!
The composition of the rock was interesting, and greatly different than the granite and schist of the Whites of New Hampshire and Green Mountains of Vermont.
After navigating my way to higher and flatter ground, stones and bog bridges paved the route to my destination.
I chose to walk in the mud along the wooden planks. The boards were wet, and some had a mix of water and ice clinging to them.
The weather was perfect when I reached my turn around point. I could follow the trail back to Twin Mountain, which I also needed. I’d run late if I continued so I chose to save that for another day.
Just before reaching the steep sections of the descent, I was treated to a view of Plateau through the trees.
Descending to the junction without incident, I retraced my steps to the trailhead and the car. It had been a solid day of hiking and a successful one. I could cross two more off my list of high peaks in the Catskills.
An Unmapped Route: A Hiker's Blog 