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March 11, 2002 |
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Rusk Mountain
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Our adventure this week begins at the trailhead parking area 6.7 miles into the Spuceton Valley on Greene County Route 6. Along with our good friend Donny, we embarked on a bushwhack that would lead us over two of the mountains that form the southern ridge of the Schoharie Creek valley, Rusk and Evergreen. The blue-blazed Spruceton Trail heads north at first as it follows Hunter Brook. After signing in at the trail register and crossing a small footbridge, we hiked a half-mile on the trail and then abandoned it as it began veering east towards Hunter Mountain.
We left the trail at 2,300' elevation. Rusk tops out at 3,680', so our route was virtually straight up for about one mile. Very little snow covered the ground, but what was present complimented the golden bark of yellow birch and the deep green of the eastern hemlock's ever-present needles. As we neared the ridge, we encountered one bedrock ledge after another, pulling ourselves up and stopping at the top to catch a breath and admire the view south through the leaf-less canopy towards West Kill and Southwest Hunter Mountains.
The long, flat top of Rusk made for a few false summits, but as we passed through a patch of balsam fir the bright orange canister came into view. Our true destination wasn't just the summit of Rusk; we also wanted to explore the ridge and find some bedrock cliffs that are visible from Spruceton Road. After much exploration we found an outcropping that suited our purpose well, and had lunch and a few laughs in the blazing sun.
The next mountain to the west along the ridge is Evergreen, about two miles from Rusk. Since there is no trail to it, and because it is below 3,500' (3,360'), very few people are inclined to visit it. We found the walk along the ridge very enjoyable with an abundance of animal tracks such as deer, snowshoe hare, bobcat, ruffed grouse, voles, and mice. Lower down we had seen coyote and turkey tracks. We also counted a grand total of three conifers on 'Evergreen Mountain'. We jokingly came up with other names for the peak that would more accurately reflect the surrounding environment, like 'Beech Mountain'.
After Evergreen, we headed southwest along a patch of state land that contained many stonewalls, white pines, and oaks - clues we were walking through an abandoned farm. After crossing West Kill Creek, we were back on County Route 6 at a trailhead where we had left another car - four miles from our start.
By leaving the marked hiking trails, you allow yourself the opportunity for a more remote or enhanced wilderness experience. However, you also expose yourself to greater risk. When you decide to leave a trail, make sure you have an adequate map, a compass, and most importantly, the ability to use them correctly. In addition, make sure to carry more than the usual water, food, clothing, and first-aid (safety) equipment. If you can identify the surrounding mountains, bushwhacking is easier during the leaf-off season, but hiking by sight is no substitute for map and compass. Regardless of whether or not you are going off-trail when hiking, always tell a friend at home what your intended route is. If you are safe and prepared, your bushwhacking experience will be as enjoyable as ours was.
- Chris and Aaron
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