richdoug - Mar 17, 2023 9:33 pm Date Climbed: Jan 21, 2023
from Rider Hollow
nice loop up Mine Hollow over summit then down Olivera - Mapledale trail
Was quite windy and cold from the summit until I started down the Oliverea - Mapledale trail
As it was a cloudy day there was no view from the ledge just before the summit (when approaching from the north) and which looks down over the cirque between McKenley Hollow and the town of Big Indian.
Done from the west as a loop hike with Haynes and Eagle. The only other person on the trail that day (Stosh from Oneonta) ran into a mother bear with cub. Fortunately all parties were placid about it. Noticeably more snow on the north slope of Eagle than Balsam.The summit for Balsam is now marked.
nefarious_1_ - Oct 26, 2013 8:10 pm Date Climbed: Oct 26, 2013
Nice loop hike
This was a nice loop hike. The view from the one overlook makes the summit a worthwhile hike. It was windy with summit temps around 44F.
Hiked Vly and Bearpen earlier in the day.
Tahawus - Aug 31, 2013 11:34 am Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2013
Balsam
Climbed via the McKinley Hollow Trail from Oliverea. Surprisingly steep on the way up. Not much in the way of views.
ScAtTeRbOnE - Apr 9, 2012 8:38 pm Date Climbed: Mar 5, 2012
Nice Viewpoint, not a lot of Balsam
Hiked Eagle/Balsam from Rider Hollow, cold breezy day, but sunny, not many Balsam trees on Blasam though, Nice Viewpoint on descent from Balsam, completed a loop past Bellayre on the return.
redmond - Aug 23, 2010 2:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2010
Cold, Wet, Windy
Climbing via Rider Hollow, and followed up with Eagle. Rained off and on all day and the overgrown brush around the trail completely soaked me but it was still a really fun hike.
bricewilson - Dec 31, 2009 10:07 am Date Climbed: Apr 29, 2006
Nice hike
From McKinley Hollow Road, with Eagle.
woodstrider - Nov 3, 2009 11:16 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 1995
A newbie goes peak wild
Started at Pine Hill and backpacked the ridge for my second backpacking trip. Addicted to peak bagging now and will return until I get them all.
Stopped by Belleayre Mountain along the way. The viewpoint is not that bad on Balsam, but I liked the views much better from Belleayre. Why can't they mark the summit on Balsam? It's stupid.
richdoug - Mar 17, 2023 9:33 pm Date Climbed: Jan 21, 2023
from Rider Hollownice loop up Mine Hollow over summit then down Olivera - Mapledale trail
Was quite windy and cold from the summit until I started down the Oliverea - Mapledale trail
As it was a cloudy day there was no view from the ledge just before the summit (when approaching from the north) and which looks down over the cirque between McKenley Hollow and the town of Big Indian.
TheWolfIsLoose - Nov 2, 2015 3:16 pm
Combined Eagle, Balsam, and Haynes.Combined Eagle, Balsam, and Haynes. A great day in the Catskills!!
technicolorNH - Apr 21, 2015 5:51 pm Date Climbed: Apr 21, 2015
Rain then sunDone from the west as a loop hike with Haynes and Eagle. The only other person on the trail that day (Stosh from Oneonta) ran into a mother bear with cub. Fortunately all parties were placid about it. Noticeably more snow on the north slope of Eagle than Balsam.The summit for Balsam is now marked.
nefarious_1_ - Oct 26, 2013 8:10 pm Date Climbed: Oct 26, 2013
Nice loop hikeThis was a nice loop hike. The view from the one overlook makes the summit a worthwhile hike. It was windy with summit temps around 44F.
Hiked Vly and Bearpen earlier in the day.
Tahawus - Aug 31, 2013 11:34 am Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2013
BalsamClimbed via the McKinley Hollow Trail from Oliverea. Surprisingly steep on the way up. Not much in the way of views.
ScAtTeRbOnE - Apr 9, 2012 8:38 pm Date Climbed: Mar 5, 2012
Nice Viewpoint, not a lot of BalsamHiked Eagle/Balsam from Rider Hollow, cold breezy day, but sunny, not many Balsam trees on Blasam though, Nice Viewpoint on descent from Balsam, completed a loop past Bellayre on the return.
redmond - Aug 23, 2010 2:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2010
Cold, Wet, WindyClimbing via Rider Hollow, and followed up with Eagle. Rained off and on all day and the overgrown brush around the trail completely soaked me but it was still a really fun hike.
bricewilson - Dec 31, 2009 10:07 am Date Climbed: Apr 29, 2006
Nice hikeFrom McKinley Hollow Road, with Eagle.
woodstrider - Nov 3, 2009 11:16 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 1995
A newbie goes peak wildStarted at Pine Hill and backpacked the ridge for my second backpacking trip. Addicted to peak bagging now and will return until I get them all.
rasgoat - Sep 2, 2009 10:20 pm
HikeNice hike
TLP - Sep 1, 2009 4:30 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2009
Took the Lost Clove trailStopped by Belleayre Mountain along the way. The viewpoint is not that bad on Balsam, but I liked the views much better from Belleayre. Why can't they mark the summit on Balsam? It's stupid.