Red Hill

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 Red Hill: 4 miles

I don’t think I’ve ever hiked Red Hill before. It’s kind of far away from me, but it is a lovely easy hike. This also means I’m done with the fire tower challenge.

We took the new DEC route from Denning Rd. The trails were dry. There was maybe one spot of mud. The trail has a lot of stone stairs and there were no bugs.

When we arrived at the top we were immediately taken with the warm glow emanating from the windows of the observer’s cabin. It had been a while since I’ve seen volunteers in the cabin. We recognized each other from the Catskill Trail conditions group. I really love meeting people from the 3500 Club and Facebook group out in the wild. Makes it feel like a real community.

Got to catch the last bit of sunset from the tower. Once we arrived back at the car, we watched the stars for a bit, which is my favorite thing to do on my sunset hikes. They always look so intense at trailhead parking areas.

I also was invited to play pickle ball today. It’s like retiree tennis in that it blends tennis and ping pong. I’m kind of digging it. Before I was a ski bum, I was a tennis bum. I spent all my summers at the Windham Ridge Club taking lessons and then I gave it up after getting into a fight with a friend. But now I’m thinking of getting back into it.

Today’s beer was my Queen of the Catskills beer from @mobcraftbeer . Of all the hazy IPAs I’ve had, the color of this beer is the most beautiful golden haze and it’s the smoothest finish. Truly fit for a Queen.

It was an absolute perfect Catskills day that epitomized how I want to live my life.














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