going into this one i had pretty low expections. most of the online reports about rusk mountain boil down to "short and steep."

both those are true, but a recent dusting of snow, the brilliant blue sky, the sound of creeks moving faster with spring melt, and lots of late winter sunshine made this a magical day.

hit the trail with my regular guide, moe lemire, who has been great guiding me through my first bushwhacks and first winter hikes. https://hikeonguides.com/

after a short walk along the marked trail following the west kill creek, the bushwhack ascends a well used herd path straight up the ridge. without leaves there's an awsome view of hunter, west kill, and others behind you as you near the top.

like many of the catskill peaks, the walk along the ridge winds among the evergreens to a small clearing at the cannister marking the summit.

the steep descent required careful footing as the snowpack started to soften. 

great day in the mountains.

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