We encountered these three brave campers on Giant Ledge. Because the Ledge is only 3,400' in elevation, camping is permitted year-round. Many fabulous campsites blanket this popular spot. This group chose a site on the eastern side, which will allow the warm sunrise to wake them tomorrow. As you can see, Alobar, our hiking companion, was very happy to spend time with someone other than us. Surprisingly, these were the only campers that night on Giant Ledge.
	Some of the exposed rock cliffs and outcrops at upper elevations in the Catskills have a somewhat different character than others. Here, on Giant Ledge, and on neighboring Slide Mountain, rounded quartz pebbles are found "cemented" into the sandstone. These rocks are called conglomerates because of their varying composition and appearance. On this outcrop, you can see the embedded quartz pebbles and the bubble-like texture of the rock. Conglomerate has often been referred to as "puddingstone".
Many footpaths leading to various campsites traverse Giant Ledge. One campsite, perhaps the most popular, features a full-length couch made out of slabs of sandstone by some energetic campers. It is surprisingly comfortable. Just beyond this site to the west is a little-known lookout. From here, you can watch the beautiful sunset over such mountains as Hemlock, Spruce, Fir, and Balsam. Eight summits, including these four, form the western side of the Big Indian-Oliverea Valley, as well as the drainage divide between the Hudson and Delaware River watersheds.