Hiking
Safety
Safety is important whether you are day hiking
or winter backpacking. Proper planning, preparation, proper clothing
and taking appropriate gear along are essential to a safe and enjoyable
excursion.
Before
You Leave plan ahead. Learn about the area ahead of time.
Study the latest guidebooks and maps that give information
on highways, trails, streams and other physical features.
Plan your trip carefully according to routes and the time
you have available. Check weather reports before you set
out.
Prepare yourself physically. If your planned recreation calls for considerable
physical exertion, get in shape beforehand. Do not attempt a trip that is beyond
your physical capabilities.
Leave word of your destination and schedule. In order to locate you in an emergency
or send assistance should you need it, leave word at home or with a friend
as to where you are going and when you intend to return.
Know the rules and guidelines for appropriate behavior for the area you are
visiting.
On The Trail
Dress appropriately for the season and where appropriate hiking
shoes or boots. Layered clothing is best to meet changing weather
conditions. If cool or wet conditions can be expected it is recommended
that you avoid cotton clothing, which insulates poorly when wet
and dries very slowly.
Carry a compass and a topographic map of the area and know how to use both.
Take along appropriate equipment and supplies. A day pack containing rain gear,
extra warm clothing, high energy food, water, first aid kit, pocket knife, whistle
and matches in a waterproof container are recommended. Sunglasses and insect
repellent are also handy.
Do not drink water from ponds or streams unless you have treated it first by
boiling, filtering or using purification tablets.
You should sign in at any Department of Environmental Conservation trail register
you may pass. This will assist us in finding you should we need to search for
you.
If
You Get Lost or Someone is Injured
If you become lost, keep calm, stay dry, keep warm and stay put.
If it appears that you will need to spend the night in the woods, build a campfire
to provide heat, light and comfort. A campfire will be invaluable in locating
you if you have been reported missing. Aircraft may be used in searching when
weather permits and smoky campfires may be spotted from the air
If the weather is particularly cold or bad and you must spend the night in the
woods, also build a small shelter using dead branches, hemlock boughs and leaves.
The shelter will serve as a "cocoon" and should be just big enough
for you to lie in comfortably. Set up camp before darkness falls.
If you feel you can try and find your way out of the woods, remember that following
streams downhill will nearly always lead you back to signs of habitation.
Any person knowing you are overdue should contact the New York State Forest Ranger
in the area of your trip.
In case of accident, at least one person should remain with the injured person.
Know and use basic first aid techniques. Others in the group should carefully
note the location and contact the local New York State Forest Ranger.
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3.2
miles, moderately difficult
Southern route
Hikers typically park at the trailhead lot, 2,100 feet (641 m)
in elevation, where Ulster County Route 47 bends sharply about
three-quarters of a mile (1.3 km) north of Winnisook Lake,
midway up or down the hill between it and Big Indian Hollow.
Here the P-EB leaves the road again and leads southeast uphill
0.7 mile (1.1 km) and 500 vertical feet (150 m) to the GP in
the level area between the ledge and Slide's north ridge. The
former route of the P-EB, now closed, leads downhill to the
southwest to its former route across the Winnisook Club.
Turning north
on the GP, the trail remains level, passing an official campsite
and some muddy spots until it reaches the base
of Giant Ledge 0.6 mile (1 km) later, where a good, reliable
spring can be found via a short side trail. A climb of 0.15 mile
(240 m) up the steep, rocky south slope of the ledge, sometimes
assisted by rock steps, levels out at 3,200 feet (975 m), where
the trail stays close to the east side. There are many viewpoints
from the cliff tops here that take in the nearby Burroughs Range
(Slide, Wittenberg and Cornell) to the south; the valley of Woodland
Creek below with a small area of Ashokan Reservoir; and the Devil's
Path to the northeast. There are more campsites, often likely
to be taken early on good summer weekends. More
Northern route
The GP trail's northern end begins at a small parking area at
the end of Fox Hollow Road, 1.5 mile (2.5 km) south of NY 28
at 1,420 feet (433 m) in elevation. At 0.4 mile (640 m) from
that trailhead, a short side trail leads to the Fox Hollow
lean-to and a reliable spring.
The trail then begins to climb the long ridge of Panther, finally
reaching the first (3,480-foot; 1,061 m) of two false summits
after 2.7 miles (4.3 km). A short descent follows, then another
climb to the second false summit 0.6 mile (1 km) to the south.
Along the way there is an excellent view of the peaks to the
west: Balsam, Fir and Big Indian. It is another 1.2 mile (1.9
km) and a steeper climb to the actual summit.
Total distance via this route is 4.9 miles (7.9 km). Total vertical
ascent is 2,450 feet (747 m).
Photo from
http://en.wikipedia.org/
GPS
(
43.58673, -74.48509 )
Elevation
(feet):
Latitude: 43.46722
Longitude: -74.24689
Difficulty: moderately
difficult
Best
months for climbing:
Convenient
Center:
Click on the
map above to enlarge, customize,
and print a waterproof Kane
Mountain topo map or aerial photo.
Sources:
www.peakbagger.com | www.peakware.com |
www.slackpacker.com
Photo from http://en.wikipedia.org/
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DEC
Rules
The
rules associated with using Department of Environmental Conservation
managed public lands in New York State for recreational purposes
are relatively simple
and straightforward.
Hiking and backcountry camping are allowed on Forest
Preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks as well as State Forest
areas. Generally, camping is prohibited on Unique Areas, Wildlife Management
Areas and other categories of state land. Hiking is generally permitted
anywhere but special requirements apply to mountain biking and horseback
riding.
Some
specific units in the forest preserve may have regulations that are
different
than the rules and guidelines listed below!
For information about the 52 Department of Environmental
Conservation campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks, visit DEC
Campground Information. The rules and guidelines for the use of New York
State's public lands are generally as follows:
Except
where marked by a "Camp Here" disk camping is prohibited
within 150 feet of roads, trails, lakes, ponds, streams or
other bodies of water.
Groups of ten or more persons or stays of more
than three days in one place require a permit from the New York State
Forest Ranger responsible for the area.
Lean-tos are available in many areas on a
first come first served basis. Lean-tos cannot be used exclusively
and must be shared with other campers.
Use pit privies provided near
popular camping areas and trailheads. If none are available,
dispose of human waste by digging a hole 6"-8" deep
at least 150 feet from water or campsites. Cover with
leaves and soil.
Do not use soap to
wash yourself, clothing or dishes within 150
ft of water.
Drinking and cooking
water should be boiled for 5 minutes, treated
with purifying tablets or filtered through filtration
device to prevent instances of giardia infection.
Fires should be built
in existing fire pits or fireplaces if provided.
Use only dead and down wood for fires. Cutting
standing trees is prohibited. Extinguish all
fires with water and stir ashes until they are
cold to the touch. Do not build fires in areas
marked by a "No Fires" disk. Camp stoves
are safer, more efficient and cleaner.
Carry out what you
carry in. Practice "leave no trace" camping
and hiking.
Keep your pet under
control. Restrain it on a leash when others approach.
Collect and bury droppings away from water, trails
and camp sites. Keep your pet away from drinking
water sources.
Observe and enjoy wildlife
and plants but leave them undisturbed.
Removing plants, rocks, fossils or
artifacts from state land without a permit is illegal.
The storage of personal property on state land is prohibited.
Carry an approved flotation device
for each person aboard all watercraft.
Except in an emergency or between December
15 and April 30, camping is prohibited above an elevation of 4000 feet
in the Adirondacks.
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