BRACE MOUNTAIN South Taconic Range xc ski







Feb 25, 2008 - MT. BRACE from Mt. Washington State Forest HQ in SW Mass. Average of 6" dense powder with little base - a bit more in woods & N facing slopes, less in the open & S facing slopes; fair to good skiing, quite a few exposed rocks especially on steeper hills, tricky stream crossings.  Started on the trail to Alander Mt. & soon took a L on Ashley Hill trail high up Ashley Hill Brook ravine.  Trail is wide old carriage road.  AH trail turns L & we continue straight ahead.  Cross AHB & climb up to the S Taconic Trail.  Views open up as we headed S to Brace & its huge cairn.  Wonderful views in all directions from the open summit, Catskills off to the W.  Mostly intermediate with a couple of steep spots.  700' gain from start, 850' from low point.  9.5 miles, 4.8 hrs. 






Jan 30, 2006 - Mt. BRACE ski. From Mt. Washington SF HQ in SW Mass. Temp around freezing - 10"-15" - mostly sunny. Skiing good - some steeper sections have exposed rocks - just be careful. Start on the Alander Mt. Trail then L on Ashley Hill Brook Trail, an old carriage road. From this junction one gains 800'+ in 4.5 miles to Brace - climb is gentle to moderate with a couple of short steeper spots. For a while a ravine drops steeply to the R. Go straight when Ashley Hill Trail makes a L following blue paint blazes on a connecter trail which after crossing Ashley Hill Brook will get you to the S Taconic Trail 1.25 miles N of Brace. Mountain laurel grows among the hardwoods as you near the ridgetop. Go N 100 yds to a nice view of valley & Catskills to the W. The 1.25 mi. S (& another 200'+ gain) to Brace had seen some snowmobile use & made for nice easy intermediate ridgetop skiing with super views along the way. A large cairn marks the summit. Stunning 360 views - Stissing Mt, The Gunks, Catskills in NY; Mts. Greylock, Alander, Frissell in Mass; Mohawk & Bear Mts. in Conn (Brace is in NY). Warm temp & light wind encouraged us to linger - Popolsku had to be awakened from a nap. Intermediate - even Dagang's tail end made it to Brace. 10.5 miles, 6.5 hrs. Karhu Pyxis skis with plastic boots, 3-pin bindings .


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