Belle Ayr & Balsam Mountains

Hike Name: Belle Ayr & Balsam Mountains Location: southeast NY Length: 6.75 Submitted by: Mike Selender Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more New York trail reviews New York national parks New York state parks
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Description
Hike requires a short shuttle. Start at Lost Clove Trailhead, take Lost Clove Trail to junction of PineHill-WestBranch Trail and head South.
The trail will cross the summits of Belle Ayr (actual summit is 300 fett off trail) and Balsam (actual summit is 25 feet off trail, this is a required winter peak for the Catskill 3500 Club). Descend to Oliverea-Mappledale Trail in hollow and head East to trailhead parking area. An easy hike but the initial section can have deep snow accumulation due to drifting. Snowhoes recommended. Also 6 point or full crampons for the descent on the Oliverea- Mapledale Trail as it is steep and tends to ice up.

Directions to Hike
From I87, exit a Kingston and heade West on Rt 28 until you reach County Rt 47 in Big Indian. Head south and turn Right on McKenley Hollow Road. Continue until you reach trailhead pearking. Leave one car here and backtrack to Rt 47, head North (left). Turn leaft on Lost Clove Rd and follow road until you reach trailhead parking. This is where you will start.

Contact Information
Catskill Park-Big Indian Wilderness Area
I believe that the ranger in charge is Pat Rudge.

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