Andy Arthur.
Cotton Hill Lean-To in Late Winter.
Spending a night at Cotton Hill Lean-To on the First Day of Spring.
March 21, 2010.
Related Fodder: Middleburgh Cliff.
Related Maps: Schoharie County.
Related Photos: Cotton Hill Lean-To, Middleburgh Cliff.
For the first day of spring it was around 65 degrees and sunny. The forecast promised only to get down into the upper 50s. The snow was gone in Albany, but in the mountains there was several feet. A top Cotton Hill, there was about two feet of snow.
Looking Down Long Path . This is the one short relatively steep section heading up to the Cotton Hill Lean To, right after splitting of the snowmobile trail which takes a seperate route up the hill.
Cotton Hill Lean-To on March 20, 2010. (N 42° 37' 41.95" W 74° 16' 8.36")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/800 sec, Aperature: f/5.6, ISO 80, EV -2/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
Amazingly enough when I got up there, I was the only person who had been up to the lean-to since the last snow storm, probably two weeks ago now. It was very quiet except for the sounds of nature, from the snowy owl to the churbing robins.
Reaching the lean-to, with gear all set up for the the night.
Cotton Hill Lean To. The previous trip up to the lean to, I had already unloaded my gear, unpacked my lawn chair, and was all set up.
Cotton Hill Lean-To on March 20, 2010. (N 42° 37' 45.98" W 74° 16' 3.65")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/80 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 80, EV +2/3, Focal Length: 128mm.
My backpack, and flannel shirts.
Backpack and Flannel Shirts. It was around 60 degrees in the afternoon, so I was in just in a T-Shirt, but later I would put them on.
Cotton Hill Lean-To on March 20, 2010. (N 42° 37' 46.09" W 74° 16' 2.96")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 140, Focal Length: 38mm.
Sitting in the lean-to, looking at the setting sun. At the front of the lean-to, snow had melted off the roof, and was piling up in the front, creating a snow berm, keeping cool drafts away. Ironically, at this point due to the warm weather, I was sitting in a t-shirt and no jacket on.
Looking Out the Lean-To. There was about a four-feet snow bank outside of the lean-to, from where the snow had melted off the roof, and piled up. It was good, because it limited the breezes blowing into the lean-to.
Cotton Hill Lean-To on March 20, 2010. (N 42° 37' 46.09" W 74° 16' 2.96")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/1000 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
As I enjoy a nice a fire.
Warmth from Campfire. Not that I would need much of a fire until after darkness, I still wanted a big bed of coals, so that the melting snow wouldn't put things out.
Cotton Hill Lean-To on March 20, 2010. (N 42° 37' 45.98" W 74° 16' 3.25")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/80 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 140, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 209mm.
And night rapidly approaches.
Lean To at Setting Sun.
Cotton Hill Lean-To on March 20, 2010. (N 42° 37' 45.8" W 74° 16' 2.39")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/200 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
At times it was a bit smokey in the lean-to, as I played on my cellphone, jotted down some notes, read some books, and just enjoyed the first night of spring.
Smokey Lean-To. It was nice and warm, even at 9 PM at night, and the light from the lantern was plenty for doing a little bit of reading.
Cotton Hill Lean-To on March 20, 2010. (N 42° 37' 45.98" W 74° 16' 3.25")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 140, Focal Length: 38mm.
It was a nice night. When I woke up, it was a gray cloudy morning and I made up some breakfast and got cleaned up.
Lean To on Cloudy Morning.
Cotton Hill Lean-To on March 21, 2010. (N 42° 37' 45.8" W 74° 16' 2.53")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/640 sec, Aperature: f/4.0, ISO 80, EV -2/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
And I packed my bags...
All Packed Up in the Morning.
Cotton Hill Lean-To on March 21, 2010. (N 42° 37' 45.98" W 74° 16' 3.04")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/40 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV -2/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
Burned my garbage from the past night...
Camping Trash. All gone. There's to you, Mr. Pete Grannis, DEC Commish. I took this picture, only 8-months after your stupid ban went into effect. Not that there was anybody around, after a very quiet night at the Cotton Hill Lean-to. I did make sure that everything burned up completely, and left no litter around for the next camper.
Fire on March 21, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/125 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 80, Focal Length: 67mm.
And off I went, down to the truck, then off to Middleburgh Cliff. Here is a map of where the lean-to is.
View Cotton Hill Lean To in a larger map
“The policy of the state shall be to conserve and protect its natural resources and scenic beauty and encourage the development and improvement of its agricultural lands for the production of food and other agricultural products.”
— Article 14, Section 4 NY State Constitution