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November 4, 2002 |
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Catskill Mountain Weather
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The month of October proved to be as peculiar as the first three quarters of 2002, but not because of Halloween. We received the much-needed rainfall, bringing our water table up to normal (lifting use restrictions in Phoenicia) and replenishing the city reservoirs. Two large rain events brought the streams way up. On October 12th and 17th, the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) stream gage on the Esopus Creek above Boiceville recorded flows near 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Median stream flow for the Esopus this time of year is 300 cfs.
Recently, snow blanketed the area. It wasn't seen so much in Phoenicia, but 700-800 feet above sea level higher, in the Big Indian-Oliverea Valley, we awoke to 1" of snow last Saturday morning, and another 1.5"-2" Sunday morning. Of course this all occurred while there were green leaves remaining on many of the trees.
Despite the unpredictable weather, we have managed to do a bit of hiking the past couple weeks. Saturday and Sunday of Columbus Day weekend were overflowing with rain and a hike to Tremper Mountain on Sunday ended up being a soggy one. The following day, the same hike to Tremper was the complete opposite. Fairly warm weather, small, rain-induced waterfalls along the trail, and clear skies greeted all of the 11 hikers that came up to the fire tower that day.
On the last weekend of every October, our good friends Erich and Edna at the Alpine Inn play host to members of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and the Sierra Club. Each year, 50 outdoor enthusiasts from the city, Long Island, and New Jersey venture up to the Catskills. Group leaders guide hikes to various destinations for those that are unfamiliar with the area. That Saturday, a drizzly rain all day kept the majority of the group off the trails, however a few brave souls were not to be deterred. I led five people to the summit of Slide Mountain.
After reaching the western summit we continued east into the saddle between the 'twin' summits listening to some ravens and taking in the aroma of balsam fir. It was cold enough we could see our breath when we spoke. The approach to the eastern summit is extraordinary. We walked along an exposed ridge with wind and ice-stunted trees and a 270-degree view. We retraced the route up and noted that the Ashokan Reservoir seemed a bit below normal.The rain brought warm temperatures (54 degrees) and no wind. We hiked up the yellow-blazed Phoenicia-East Branch Trail to the red-blazed Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide Trail. As we climbed into the dense fog, we realized it was not going to clear and soon after we reached the summit - completely enveloped in a white fog. There was a bit of snow and ice along the trail, however we only experienced a hard, driving rain on top. The temperature had dropped to a cool 39 degrees. On the way back, the group remained in good enough spirits to opt for the longer route back - the blue-blazed Curtis-Ormsbee Trail. We did catch a glimpse of Wildcat Mountain from the viewpoint at the 3,500' marker as the fog lifted for a brief while.
The recent hikes have not been very fulfilling in terms of wildlife sightings, however the mature bald eagle that we often spot among the big willows and sycamores along the Bush Kill between Fleischmanns and Arkville is back after an absence this summer. Twice in the last week on the way to work, the eagle has been around. The first time it was circling thirty feet above the small pond and then most recently (Monday) it was perched in a large willow tree behind the bait and tackle shop.
We were recently informed that according to the Farmers' Almanac we would experience an unseasonably cold October, followed by and unseasonably warm November. Well, we will have to wait and see what unpredictable Mother Nature has in store for us this winter. Perhaps Belleayre Mountain knows something we don't, as they have already begun to make snow.
- Chris and Aaron
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