Ripitz
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2020
Set out with two old friends on the solstice to see if we could conquer the 24 mile Devil’s Path in a day. Known as one of the toughest day hikes in America, the trail is a notorious soul crusher. None of us had been on the trail before but one thing we knew was certain, it would be one long day with the Devil.
Woke at 4am at a Hunter Mt. condo that we used as a safe house (Thanks Bobby). Shuttled a car to Spruceton Road
Stashed a cooler of water and a bear box with PB&Js at Notch Lake, Route 214, which is the midpoint
Started on the trail from Prediger Road at 7am. Not exactly an alpine start but the weather was perfect and we were feeling fast and light. Since it was Monday, there was no one around. Lucky for us, it hadn’t rained for a while so the trail was dry. Time to grind.
The woods and trail were beautiful
One thing became instantly clear, the Devil was gonna mess with us the whole way.
Here you go, here’s a handrail
The green tunnel kept things cool
Popped out on the shoulder of Indian Head in the passing clouds
Not many photos after this as the terrain becomes incredibly demanding.
Except this one of a caveman
Twin, Sugarloaf, Plateau and the notches in between are like a sick joke. 1000ft+ punishing ascents followed by 1000ft+ loose and sketchy descents only to be repeated over and over. One shark fin dry rock followed by a sloping sweaty one. You had to be vigilant. Missteps would have serious consequences.
Disoriented we decided to forget the map and just follow blazes.
This spring was a lifesaver
We were getting worn down. The Devil was laughing and winning.
Then came Plateau and we laughed back.
Up high in a glorious Hemlock glade we picked up the pace. Running on a deep bed of needles to Orchard Point we got our spirits back. They were quickly crushed again of course as the descent to 214 was one of the most brutal I’ve ever experienced.
Oh thank God, we made it! …halfway
We spent an hour collecting ourselves, refueling the mind and body. The stash was appreciated immensely. The road provided a tempting bailout to the safe house. A quick check of the weather showed only 50% chance of thunderstorms with hail. “I didn’t come here to hike halfway”, was someone’s smart ass comment. So we loaded back up and trudged back into the game of flip coin with the Devil.
After getting quad smashed on the climb up from the notch we were blessed with glimpses of sunshine and gentler terrain. This half of the trail is known to be easier so we knew we could make up time. Hoping we could make it over the summit of Westkill before all hell breaks loose.
Checking the weather
“Time to boogie”
The forest was magical
Softer ground and exhaustion lured us into a trance. Lost in the deep woods, we were moving fast on autopilot. Then we heard water.
Diamond Hitch Falls
A quick cold plunge was needed as the next ascent is the biggest. 1,600ft in 2.5 miles is what the Devil served, with a few false summits as a side dish just because. We gobbled it up and topped out at Buck Ridge, celebrating as if it was over.
Nope.
After bagging the Westkill summit we were treated to 4.5 more miles of torture. About halfway down the thunder started rolling. The green tunnel and clouds cut our daylight short. “Hey Bear!” was our chant. Headlamps came out as the rain starting falling. The Devil wasn’t gonna let us leave without our feet wet. At the 1.5 mile sign, which is another sick joke, it really started pouring. We hurried as fast as our broken bodies would allow. Lightning strikes made us hurry faster. The trail was now a stream. Every bug in the forest found our headlamps. Just before 10pm drenched and elated we stumbled onto the road. 15 hours is no FKT, but we made it out alive. Safe and happy we celebrated the accomplishment. A warm PBR never tasted so good. Sorry Devil, nice try, not us, not today.
Woke at 4am at a Hunter Mt. condo that we used as a safe house (Thanks Bobby). Shuttled a car to Spruceton Road
Stashed a cooler of water and a bear box with PB&Js at Notch Lake, Route 214, which is the midpoint
Started on the trail from Prediger Road at 7am. Not exactly an alpine start but the weather was perfect and we were feeling fast and light. Since it was Monday, there was no one around. Lucky for us, it hadn’t rained for a while so the trail was dry. Time to grind.
The woods and trail were beautiful
One thing became instantly clear, the Devil was gonna mess with us the whole way.
Here you go, here’s a handrail
The green tunnel kept things cool
Popped out on the shoulder of Indian Head in the passing clouds
Not many photos after this as the terrain becomes incredibly demanding.
Except this one of a caveman
Twin, Sugarloaf, Plateau and the notches in between are like a sick joke. 1000ft+ punishing ascents followed by 1000ft+ loose and sketchy descents only to be repeated over and over. One shark fin dry rock followed by a sloping sweaty one. You had to be vigilant. Missteps would have serious consequences.
Disoriented we decided to forget the map and just follow blazes.
This spring was a lifesaver
We were getting worn down. The Devil was laughing and winning.
Then came Plateau and we laughed back.
Up high in a glorious Hemlock glade we picked up the pace. Running on a deep bed of needles to Orchard Point we got our spirits back. They were quickly crushed again of course as the descent to 214 was one of the most brutal I’ve ever experienced.
Oh thank God, we made it! …halfway
We spent an hour collecting ourselves, refueling the mind and body. The stash was appreciated immensely. The road provided a tempting bailout to the safe house. A quick check of the weather showed only 50% chance of thunderstorms with hail. “I didn’t come here to hike halfway”, was someone’s smart ass comment. So we loaded back up and trudged back into the game of flip coin with the Devil.
After getting quad smashed on the climb up from the notch we were blessed with glimpses of sunshine and gentler terrain. This half of the trail is known to be easier so we knew we could make up time. Hoping we could make it over the summit of Westkill before all hell breaks loose.
Checking the weather
“Time to boogie”
The forest was magical
Softer ground and exhaustion lured us into a trance. Lost in the deep woods, we were moving fast on autopilot. Then we heard water.
Diamond Hitch Falls
A quick cold plunge was needed as the next ascent is the biggest. 1,600ft in 2.5 miles is what the Devil served, with a few false summits as a side dish just because. We gobbled it up and topped out at Buck Ridge, celebrating as if it was over.
Nope.
After bagging the Westkill summit we were treated to 4.5 more miles of torture. About halfway down the thunder started rolling. The green tunnel and clouds cut our daylight short. “Hey Bear!” was our chant. Headlamps came out as the rain starting falling. The Devil wasn’t gonna let us leave without our feet wet. At the 1.5 mile sign, which is another sick joke, it really started pouring. We hurried as fast as our broken bodies would allow. Lightning strikes made us hurry faster. The trail was now a stream. Every bug in the forest found our headlamps. Just before 10pm drenched and elated we stumbled onto the road. 15 hours is no FKT, but we made it out alive. Safe and happy we celebrated the accomplishment. A warm PBR never tasted so good. Sorry Devil, nice try, not us, not today.
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