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This out-and-back traverses the AT in Sterling Forest, climbing two peaks, the first being the Agony Grind, and then Arden Mountain
(with a summit of 1,180 feet). There is no parking on Route 17, at the point where the AT crosses, so we parked in the Elk Pen off Arden Valley Road and
walked the 0.3 miles to the start of the climb. Total distance covered was 3.2 miles.
(Click on the thumbnail to bring up a bigger image in a pop-up window)
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 Heading west on Arden Valley Road; Agony Grind in rear |
 Southbound side of NY Thruway |
 AT sign with Sterling Forest distances |
 View SE |
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 Gigantic rock overhang |
 Start of steep ascent of Agony Grind |
 NY Thruway through trees |
 Route 17 |
 More climbing |
 And still more climbing |
 And more! |
 View south of Route 17 and Harriman |
 NY Thruway and Harriman |
 Route 17 below |
 Taking a breather [photo by Laura] |
 Rock scramble to Arden Mountain |
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 Lots of climbing |
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 Reading the AT check-in book |
 View west from Arden Mountain peak |
 Towers to the west |
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 View north; undulating Catskills on horizon |
 Closer view of the Catskills |
 View north |
 Damned tree hugger! [photo by Laura] |
 Super macro shot of ice crystals |
 Heading back |
 We have to do this all again in reverse? [photo by Laura] |
 Brush near the peak |
 Harriman mountains in the rear |
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 Whaleback |
 Start of the Sapphire trail (next time!) |
 Another tree hugger! |
 Macro shot of moss |
 Back to Agony Grind |
 Careful footing on descent |
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 This is from where I took the previous photo [photo by Laura] |
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 All downhill from here ... |
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 Arden Valley Road over NY Thruway (see last two photos) |
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 Giant rock formations |
 Arden Valley Road bridge |
 Agony Grind from Arden Valley Road bridge |
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Photographs and content copyright © Dan Balogh Web design by Dan Balogh |