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October 8, 2007 This time we decided to attack Bald Mountain from the South, over Dunderberg Mountain, which is more of a ridge than a mountain with a peak, the reasoning being that the Scenic Outlook at the old Cornell Mine should be only about two and a half miles from the road. The path we took is shown on the Google Earth image. The trail head starts on Route 9W at 41.16.27.30.North and 73.58.23.37.West. The end of our trail was at 41.16.36.37.North and 73.59.25.03.West, about a mile short of where we had planned. Parking in the village streets at the bottom of the image is strictly NOT allowed, and you can't get from any of the roads into the park without trespassing on somebody's property. | 
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| We intended to follow the '1777' trail, but finding the trail head proved difficult. I was looking for a white-on-brown New York State historical sign, but the only visible indication as you drive along Route 9W at 55 mph is a group of three '1777' markers on a utility pole on a hazardous bend, on the wrong side of the road. I find it difficult to see how Sir Henry Clinton got a whole army off the main road and up here, but he did. Recently some volunteers have made a series of rock steps up the initial incline. | 
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Once you're on the trail the markers (placed by volunteers) are fairly easy to follow, but you do need a map and compass in case you miss one.
Trying to be sensible, and paying heed to all the advice in the guide books, we took snacks, water, flashlights, map, compass and some photography gear - one camera, one lightweight tripod and three lenses. Because we started early and hoped to give ourselves plenty of time, we packed extra water and a decent lunch as well as the snack bars. At the start, my backpack weighed 22lbs. We had chosen what we thought was going to be a beautiful early autumn afternoon, with little fluffy clouds and temperature of 76 Deg F. Unfortunately they got it all wrong, and we got under way with 95% humidity and by noon the temperature had reached 86 Deg F. | 
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There's nothing down here!