Making it 2 days in a row, I went and hiked Thomas Cole and Blackdome from Barnum Road as I didn't want to go up Big Hollow again.  This approach is longer, but only has one real steep section as you are going up the caudal.  It was icy, but it wasn't really anything I was worried about.  By the time I reached the big tree on Camel's Hump, I put my shoes on as it was getting more and more snow coverage, and it helped with the heel lifts going up Thomas Cole.

So, the weekend didn't go completely as planned.... The weather flipped on us (as far as forecast) so we did the joint hike on Saturday.  We got to the trailhead just as it got filled up.  The hike in to the col between Blackhead and Black Dome was a rather nice hike.  We stopped on the way up at the spring to make sure our bladders were full as we weren't expecting water until on the way down.  We then made it up to the col, turned right, and headed up Black Dome and Thomas Cole.  Overall, not a bad climb....

So, this weekend looks like it is going to be pretty free for hiking.  Saturday looks to be iffy weather in the form of light rain, and Sunday looks to be good weather.  So, my plans are to do a few hikes this weekend to add to the 35er count.  So, I'm going to start with some of the bushwack trails.  First up will be Bearpen and Vly.   These 2 are not really much of a bushwack from what I've read.  Going in from the south, the herd path to Vly is following the state park border.  Bearpen is turning the other way and following snowmobile trails.