awesome! ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Cc: Belchetz-Swenson, Sarah ; Blaich, Tanya ; Davis, John ; Dittmer, Paul ; Duke, Carol ; Heller, Sharl ; Hurley, Claudia ; Kaiser, Amy ; Loomis, Rob ; Ricci, Heidi ; Ryan, Mike ; Seale, Doug ; Stahle, David ; Stransky, Laura ; Weil, Phoebe ; Weiss, Nancy ; Williams, Bill ; Zelazo, Timothy ; [email protected] ; [email protected] Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 4:26 PM Subject: [ENTS] Giant Ledge in the rain
ENTS, Yesterday Monica and I climbed to the top of Giant Ledge in New York's Catskills. The summit ridge has a level top as it offers spectacular views from the ledges. The highest point of Giant Ledge reaches 3,218 feet in altitude. From the trailhead, the hiker puts on 1,050 feet of elevation over a rocky trail to get to the summit in the distance of 1.6 miles. Aside from the views, the most important fact about this hike is that fully half is in bonafide old growth forest. The remaining half is about equally split between partial old growth and predominantly second growth. Once one reaches solid old growth, one can continue along the ridge crest and stay continuously in old growth to the summit of Panther Mountain at 3,760 feet and well beyond. From the trailhead, the summit of Panther Mountain is 3.3 miles. But whether the destination is Giant Ledge or Panther Mountain, the path is a visual feast for the old growth enthusiast, although really big trees are not in abundance. I have attached 9 images. My intention was to take plenty of photographs along the way so that I could show how the forest appears at different points, but alas, I let droplets of rain get on my lens - unmistakable signs of an amateur. But without further excuses, I present for your viewing pleasure, Giant Ledge. Image #1-YellowBirch.jpg: As many of you would guess, yellow birch plays a prominent role in the higher Catskill forests as does American beech and sugar maple. In places hemlock plays an important role. At the upper elevations, yellow birch, black cherry, red spruce, and balsam fir can dominate. The forests of Giant Ledge are truly multi-aged to fit Lee's OG definition to the letter. Image #2 - TwistedLimbBirch.jpg: This image is characteristic of the old yellow birches. Their crowns and side limbs reflect an on-going battle with the elements. Yet despite many breakages, the birches persist for two to three centuries. Notice the rocks in the trail. That is what you get the entire way. Oh my aching feet! Image #3 - DeepForest.jpg: At points, eastern hemlocks establish a presence, but don't dominate. The bright green leaves of striped maples often make the most reflective surfaces. Image #4-AlmostRainForest.jpg: Observe the fern growth on the rocks. Every square inch is covered with diverse plant growth. This part of the Catskills receive 60 to 65 inches of moisture annually. Some spots go over 70. This amount of moisture combined with lower evaporation rates can produce an almost rainforest luxuriance. In addition elevations above 3,000 feet can stay in clouds for long periods of time. I am anxious to explore more of the Catskill's higher elevations. I just have to leave my big tree expectations at the bottoms of the mountains. Image #5-RocksCherry.jpg: Giant Ledge and environs are flush with black cherry and large boulders. Both are everywhere to provide us with a visual treat par exsalonce. Image #6-TheView.jpg: Ah, finally a view. Woops, where did it go? Well, it didn't show itself. We stayed in a cloud bank throughout the hike and absorbed moisture. We had to periodically ring each other out. The view off Giant Ledge should have revealed mountains galore. It revealed a blanket of white - cloud white. Image #7-SecondBreak.jpg: Well, a bit of a cloud break and a young red spruce. Image #8:RockSculptures.jpg: All the rocks on Giant Ledge are artistically carved. It is a requirement of the mountain gods that they so present themselves. Quick, Ed, what are they? Image #9-AdelgidMischief.jpg: The clouds lifted above the base of Giant Ledge just long enough to reveal adelgid damage. Hemlocks that have lived for 250 to 350 years have given up the ghost. Sad. The forest you see is as virgin as it gets in the Catskills. Well, folks, that's it for Giant Ledge. One heck'uva place. Oh yes, Giant Ledge was the location that I took Dave Stahle, Lynn Rogers, and others several years ago in October. It snowed lightly, but was fabulous, as the mountain gods will Giant Ledge to always be. Bob --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org Send email to [email protected] Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees?hl=en To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
