Hike Balsam and Eagle Mountains – Saturday, May 20 2023 8:30 AM

This is a strenuous 10-mile hike up to Balsam (3,610 ft) and Eagle (3,610 ft). We'll take Mine Hollow Trail (yellow) to Balsam via the Pine Hill West Branch Trail (blue), looping up to Balsam Mountain to its overlook point. After Balsam, we'll head over to Eagle and climb Haynes Mountain en route (one of the Catskill 100s). While there isn't a view at Eagle it’s a very nice walk in the woods! After Eagle, we'll retrace our steps and return to our cars via the Rider Hollow Trail (red). There are a couple of streaming crossings which may or may not be difficult towards the end of our hike so please make sure to wear waterproof shoes.Event Duration: 10 miles, 7 hoursLevel of Difficulty: DifficultLeader: Siu S YuenBring: 2 liters of water, lunch/snacks, sunscreen, bug spray and most importantly, sturdy waterproof hiking bootsRegistration required by 6PM 5/19/23. Register by contacting the leader: ssyuen@msn.comDogs allowed: NoAdditional Information: Rain Date: Sunday, 5/21/2023; Limit on number of hikers: 12.Driving and Meeting Directions:From exit 19 in Kingston, take State Route 28 west for 34.9 miles to Highmount (top of hill), turn left onto Galli Curci Rd / County Hwy-49A; stay on this road for 4.9 miles, then turn left onto Rider Hollow Rd. and go 2.1 miles to the trailhead/ end of road.From the west, take State Route 28 east past Margaretville toward Arkville and follow the brown-and-white signs for Dry Brook Ridge, turning right on Dry Brook Road. Take Dry Brook Road 4.7 miles, see sign for Rider Hollow, turn left and go one-half mile, see sign for Rider Hollow, turn right and go 2.1 miles to the trailhead/ end of road.GPS coordinates of meeting place: N42.1019 W74.5170