Slide Mountain (Winter)

Second-to-last. Slide Mountain in February. Absolutely frigid day, -5°F. Got to the trailhead around 7:30-8am. One of the coldest of the year. Asked a fellow hiker, “What the hell are we doing out here man…??”

The trail was broken in all the way to the top, but had a fresh layer of powder. Fairly easy hiking, despite the cold. I was amazed at how the snow smoothed over all the rocks and step ups. Made for a quite fun walk up. As long as you didn’t step off trail and sink up to your waist in snow. Seriously. The drifts were huge.

Up top it was absolutely blowing wind on the north side of the mountain. Really one of those moments where I second guessed my self and what I was getting into. But the view. The view was incredible. Fresh snow, stuff of postcards.

I quickly savored reaching the top of the tallest mountain in the Catskills, sheltered from the brutal wind chill. Had some warm tea. And began my descent.

The trail was much more busy later in the day, I met probably 5-6 groups on their way up; including a girl and her dog who was practically pulling her up (man I was jealous of that!), and two skiers skinning up.