Ridgerunner overnight with Jiffy Pop and Friends

Another gorgeous fall-like weekend, and another hike. This time I took my son “Jiffy Pop” with me for a bonding and trail work/ridgerunner hike and my friends from our AMC chapter “Thumbs Up” and “Chilly Cheeks” came along.

The three of us hadn’t hiked together all year as a group, and my son hadn’t done an overnight with me in almost 5 years. I leant him my old pack, my trail runners, sleeping pad, puffy jacket and camp shoes to fill in the missing gear. He loved all of it and I am going to get him some trail runners like mine for school.

We met a Connecticut Forest and Parks maintainer and his son working on their trails that connect to the A.T. on Ten Mile Hill, and cleared a blowdown, bear boxes, and two fire rings at the campsite, one right under the no fires sign. Wow, that’s always frustrating. It feels like a direct insult to us maintainers by really disrespectful campers and I wish there was honestly a way to fine them if caught, not that that will do much to discourage these types.

We did meet some nice hikers as well, and enjoyed a starry night and lots of spiders out on the Ned Anderson bridge. I saw Jim the Blue Heron, and we saw some frogs, crayfish, and enjoyed s’mores and of course, Jiffy Pop!

I checked the privies and filled the duff buckets as well, and gave a Leave No Trace speech to some kids coming into the campsite with beer and other items, and had to ask another group of teens coming in playing loud music shining bright lights in the camper tents at 230 am to turn off the music and move on. The problems here continue, and it seems the town and/ or state don’t really want to bother doing much more than having US put up the signs and barriers which keep getting pulled down, and the occasional visit once in a while by a state trooper. Way more resources (or method of closing off the area securely) will be required to contain this problem now that we no longer have our volunteer group doing it. We continue to see abuse of the area and the trash piles and rule breakers coming out in force to disrespect this beautiful area and the people that work hard to keep it that way. Shame on all of you.

Nonetheless, we did what we came to do, and had a nice time doing it. So, mission accomplished. That wraps up my summer volunteer season, though I will certainly be out doing work over the fall and winter when needed.

Watch the video here. Photos below.

Miles day 1: 3.5

Miles day 2: 1.5

— Linus

 

Linus, Thumbs up and Jiffy pop getting ready to hit the trail

Jiffy Pop at the trailhead

Linus, Thumbs up and Chilly Cheeks on the trail

Linus and Jiffy Pop on the trail

Linus and Jiffy Pop on Ten Mile Hill

Jiffy Pop on Ten Mile Hill

Linus and Jiffy Pop cutting a blowdown on Ten Mile Hill

Thumbs up and Chilly cheeks at the Housatonic Overlook

Jiffy pop writing in the shelter register

One of two prohibited fire rings I cleared

A prohibited fire ring right in front of the no fires sign. Sometimes I really wonder what the heck is wrong with people

Linus clearing a prohibited fire ring

Thumbs up and Chilly cheeks

Jiffy Pop and his favorite Mountain house

Jiffy Pop on the stove!

Spider friends

Crayfish!

Jiffy Pop at the river

Large blowdown, will have the sawyers clear it

Thumbs up and Jiffy Pop after the hike

Tunxis Trio

Over the Labor Day weekend, I not only finally got to go backpacking with my wife “Fielden Stream”, but we brought our friend “Whoops!” along with us! You probably know Whoops! by now, as she’s been backpacking and hiking with me a few times this season, and I’ve been teaching her everything I can, and helping her build her gear collection at an affordable price.

I picked this trail because it less known and less popular than something like the A.T. or New England Trail, whose trailheads were most certainly packed or over capacity on the beautiful holiday weekend. Also it requires a permit to overnight, though most of the people at the campsite didn’t know and didn’t have one. It worked out fine and everyone had plenty of room. If more people knew you could overnight there, it would be packed. When we got back to the car, that lot was indeed full, though I imagine several of the cars were day hikers.

The weather was perfect, and we also got some exciting scrambles in along the way. We only did 3 miles into the campsite and back out, but it was a great time and one of my friends who’s also in the outdoor industry was there with a group he was leading and training.

I made a video, so in the absence of spare time which I seem to have little of these days, I’ll point you there to get the full picture, as it were. Watch the video here. Photos below.

Miles day 1: 2.9

Miles day 2: 2.9

wildlife: beaver and baby

— Linus

 

Whoops!, Fielden Stream and Linus

Through the young forest we tramp

Wolf tree

Sassafras

Treefingers

Fielden Stream and Whoops! on a ledge

Sherwood Forest

Linus and Fielden Stream on top of the Council Caves

View from top of Council Caves

Whoops! and FIelden Stream

climbing down

Coming down the Indian Council caves scramble

Looking down from top of Council Caves

More council caves

Pond with beaver dam

Gone camping

Whoops! in her new tent

Sawing some dead wood for the fire

Campfire vibes

Our campsite

View from our tent of the not-so-roaring brook

Red eft

The girls on the hike out

Ready for the caves on the return

Forest ascent

Sketches of the tree and a woodpecker feather I found

This book is finally full of great adventures

 

 

 

Backpacking Harriman with Whoops! Trip #2

Last weekend I got to take my friend Whoops! out on another overnight adventure in Harriman State Park in New York. This time however our camping portion was a bit more civilized! We opted to hike into AMC’s fairly recent (3 years old?) Harriman Gorman Outdoor Center. Fielden Stream and I had a lot of fun with our friends Goat and Kelby at the Mohican Outdoor Center many years ago, and I thought why not try the new place? While we did not rent a cabin and stuck to a ‘backcountry’ style campsite on the grounds, we were still right next to the wash houses, dining hall and other facilities at the camp. As I am member and AMC seasonal employee, I got us a small discount. This used to be a camp for urban youth to experience the outdoors.  You can take out boats, swim off the pier, and there’s the usual AMC family-style meals if you so desire. Which we did!  We did not get a chance to take a boat out as they were all booked and the place was full. But we did manage to get seats for the buffet and distanced dinner which was great, and it was nice having water and bathrooms readily available. Most sources on the trails were dry. This time of year this is often the case so this is also part of the reason I planned it this way.

There was a little confusion finding the trail down to the camp from the Breakneck Mountain trail, as there was only an orange ribbon marking it at this time. I gave them the feedback that they need a sign up there not just from camp pointing up (of course I did!) and the girl at the desk seemed a bit surprised that we walked there, as most people just drive in from the city. I found it amusing that she was surprised considering there are hundreds of miles of backpacking trails and shelters in the park. There was also some confusion about the reservations for dinner and boats, as when making reservations you’re talking to their main line out of the Boston area, so they need to work on that communication a bit. But we had a nice time anyway and the ice cream and gatorade we had when we arrived was worth the 5 miles in the hot and humid conditions.

There was a view or two of the Hudson river valley and Breakneck pond, but mostly this walk was wooded and rocky. There were many many blowdowns some so large they completely obstructed the trails so there was a good deal of walking around, over and under large trees. But we had a great time, made some friends, had a great swim and a campfire with a family in our camping area. I used my hammock and Whoops! used my wife’s gear and my old solo tent again. Though as of now, Whoops! just got the backpacking bundle and an Osprey Eja 48 in the REI labor day sale so she is fully outfitted! I gave her some extra poles we had and my wife gave her some Keen boots that weren’t fitting her well and they work great for Whoops! She will be a pro solo backpacker in no time!

We met a box turtle and lots of frogs, and there were some strange sounding critters running around camp at night, clearly looking for dropped snacks from campers. It was 5 miles in and 3 miles out in this loop which I found in the circuit hikes in Harriman book. We were very close to Big Hill, the shelter we stayed at earlier in the year. We will continue to explore this amazing park, as well as the A.T. of course!

On day 2 I did a small bushwack to Eagle Rock, a summit that used to be clear and on the trail I believe. We were so close that on the way back I couldn’t resist. Plus I had Whoops! there to voice guide me back if needed.  Day one was the longest backpacking day for Whoops! so far, and there was a 1,000ft elevation gain at the beginning and the same at the other end on day 2. Lots of rocks, almost like the Pennsylvania A.T. in places!

A note that the parking area on Diltzes lane was closing for construction as of the day we returned. Phew! Seek a different entry point if doing this loop. Perhaps the road closer to big hill is a safer bet.

Miles Day 1: 5

Miles Day 2: 3

You can watch the video here. Photos below.

— Linus

Linus and Whoops! ready to hit the trail

View of the Hudson river and valley

Big blowdowns everywhere

Grandfather stones

Classic Harriman scenery

More typical Harriman scenery!

Breakneck Pond

My setup for the night

The pond from the dining hall

The beach and swimming pier

Dinner with a view

Farmers Tan Beach Fun

The water was so warm

Our campfire

Morning view from the hammock

Prepping to leave camp

Box turtle on day 2 hike

Hiker Bagel smash

Reunions, Part 2

A week ago today I got another chance to hike with my new friends Ashley and Justin who I hiked with two weeks previously when I went to visit Oso in Kent and ran into them on the trail.  We did an exciting 5.2 miles that time including Caleb’s Peak and St. John’s Ledges. We talked online in the interim so I could find out when they planned to finish their hike of the Connecticut section so I could get the day off. Rather than meet them where they needed to start, I dropped my car at the end of my day’s hke (they were staying over) and got a ride back to a point just 2.5 miles north of where they’d start. I stopped at Cornwall country market on the way up for a breakfast sammy and luckily I only had to wait 10 minutes for them to open and would still be right on schedule. Worth it! the BEST deli on the trail in CT.

I got a ride from our CT AMC trails overseer for the A.T. as he was also out doing work on the trail in the area that day. We talked about things needing to be checked and as I waited to run into my friends I hiked in southbound a bit to check the trail there and cut a blowdown while I waited. We met there, and made our way north.

We all got along great the first time and happy to say we did again! They helped me with some of my trail duties and I taught them what I know in the process. I even gave Justin his first trail name “Dad Joke” as he didn’t stop making them for almost 13 miles! And I thought I was the dad joke pun master! Still working on Ashley’s trail name. I hope to get Justin to join me volunteering this season. And do more hiking with both of them.

We enjoyed the Great Falls, except all the weekend trash we had to eventually give up on collecting because we couldn’t carry it all 14 miles and FirstLight does and did clean that up later. We also enjoyed the views from Prospect Mountain including the legendary Rand’s view, where we cleared some stealth fire rings and checked on the water sources so I could update Guthook’s app for hikers coming through. Giant’s Thumb was a nice snack spot and we did a quick stop at Billy’s view before the steep descent down Wetawanchu mountain. That hasn’t gotten any less steep, but at least I didn’t have to do it in the rain this time. We also carried the trash all the way to Salisbury for disposal.  We found the remains of a porcupine along the way as well as passing the new 1500 mile mark.

The climb up to Lion’s head after 10 miles and in the worst of the day’s heat was slow and arduous but we met some cool people along the way and enjoyed a water and snack stop to refuel half way up. Plus we cut another blowdown which took a good amount of energy! Speaking of which, we passed through a blowdown of a size I don’t think I’ve seen yet and it made for a good photo opp!

The views I promised them lived up to their expectations and we enjoyed photos at both the south and north overlooks where I left them to continue on to Riga for the night and their push to the Massachusetts border the next morning. They reported back on campsite issues for me to pass onto the rest of the club maintainers. I intended to get there and do it myself but ran out of time. I trekked back down the Lion’s head trail to Bunker Hill, singing all the way, as this is bear country and they’ve been seen many times along the trail this season.

While my tracker once again dropped a little bit, it was only .1 before I noticed so altogether I did 13.4 miles and they did 14.5 or so. That was my longest day and my second hike over 12 miles in a row, even with my zero drop shoes! I’d say I’m getting used to them now. Seems my stamina and endurance is also up, which makes sense from all the outdoor labor I do 3-4 days a week in my other job, and an excercise routine each week. I have already caught up to the mileage I usually have by this point in a year (the Georgia hike helped of course) because the pandemic kept me indoors for months. And I should be able to beat most of my seasons, and my mileage record, and rack up plenty of volunteer hours if I keep it up. And that’s the plan. Photos below

Miles: 13.4

— Linus

Best deli ever

Setting out

The 3 at the Great Falls

View from Prospect Summit

Rand’s view

The 3 at Rand’s view

Camo doing camo

the thru hiker’s marker

Ashley on the ladder on Wetawanchu mtn

The 3 at the big blowdown

Porcupine remains

more Porcupine remains?

sawing logs

The 3 on Lion’s head

Bear,Race,Everett,Greylock

Reunions

The past two Saturdays have been some of my favorites. I got to see and/or hike with my hiking companions from Georgia, Oso and Rockflipper. I haven’t seen these fellas since February when they were starting the trail. Obviously COVID restrictions impacted their hikes so these reunions were a little later than expected but well worth the wait! I met Oso in Kent as he was taking a much-needed zero, so I hit the trail for a few hours after a nice breakfast outside the Fife N’ Drum and ended up making 3 new friends on the trail, one who lives in my town. Caleb’s Peak and St. John’s ledges were the usual treats of scenery and challenge and my friend Lisa from our AMC chapter picked me up to save me the road walk so I could make lunch with Oso in time. It was great catching up with him and It was nice to see her too! I will try and catch Oso farther north.

I managed to catch Rockflipper in Cornwall Bridge, who had skipped this 12-mile section to visit a doctor and had planned to come back on this day to do it. I was luckily off from work this day and met him at 9am at the trailhead. His wife was slack-packing him for a few days so she gave us a ride up to the trailhead.  My tracker wasn’t getting a signal so I gave up on it for the time being as Overboard and Blueberry who he had been hiking with were at the same spot and ready to go. With everything being so dry lately, Guinea Brook was low and easily crossable. It wasn’t until the top of Breadloaf Mountain that I got a signal on my tracker. We met another hiker he knew, Dirtyjobz, as well as some trail magic on the way up. I didn’t take any trail magic as I was just day hiking and wanted to save it for the thrus. We all hiked together for a while until Dirtyjobz went ahead. Rockflipper and I stopped about halfway at Pine Swamp shelter for a snack and as the rain was kicking in. I surveyed the campsite and we headed out into the rain which did not stop and only got heavier. It rained on us the whole way and most of our views were obscured and my phone (and camera) hidden away in my pack. This is fine though because it gave us more time to focus on conversation and the moment and I have probably 10,000 photos of the CT A.T! We did get a lot of good ones before the rain.

The race track at Lime Rock was alive with the sounds of a car test driving for about an hour. For some reason, I haven’t ever been on Sharon Mountain when it wasn’t a torrential downpour all day long (or in one case, 2-foot snowdrifts I had to post-hole!). Maybe its the location of the mountain in relation to the weather systems. Don’t know, but I embrace the rain these days, especially when it’s 75 degrees, I am going back to my car later and not to camp, I don’t have much or any slick steep technical terrain, and its been hot and humid as heck the last two weeks! I didn’t bother with any protection other than the pack cover to protect my electronics.

My longest day was 11.8 in Georgia (with Oso and Rockflipper) and today was 12.1! Though my tracker didn’t get that first .3, I know I did it and it felt great. I am still getting used to my zero drop trail runners and definitely feeling it today but I love those shoes and I know they are better for you in the long run once used to them. It was awesome to hit a new milestone with one of the guys I hit the last one with 4 months ago.

I also got to meet several other hikers and do my trail patrol survey which includes checking out campsites and cleaning trash from bearboxes, noting water source levels, giving hikers important information on resources and answering their questions, explaining our section policies and leave no trace reasons behind them, picking up trail litter, clearing waterbars, and addressing or reporting any blowdowns. The work was light this day luckily so I could focus on hiking with Rockflipper.  I hope to join him up trail again too, or back down the trail when he flips back from Maine to finish where he skipped ahead after getting off trail for COVID for several months. Photos below.

miles day 1: 5.2

miles day 2: 12.1

wildlife: many frogs splashing about in the trail puddles, a salamander and a few garter snakes

— Linus

Linus and Oso

Hitting the trail

Rocky scenes

View from Caleb’s Peak

Linus at overlook at St. John’s Ledges

My new friends on St. John’s Ledges

Salamander on St. John’s Ledges

Garter snake at St. John’s Ledges

Linus and Rock Flipper

At Guinea Brook

Hatch Brook

Linus and Rock Flipper at Pine Knob

Linus in Rodger’s Ramp

Rock Flipper at Rodger’s Ramp

Rainy view

Carse Brook crossing

 

 

Another Harriman Overnight

Last Thursday I did another spontaneous short overnight between work shifts. In the current situation, it seems like the short midweek overnights are the way to get my fix. I will be going back to field work this month, so this may change things in the future. But for now this mid-week thing is definitely working. And it helps with parking too, though in these times the lots are mostly just as crowded as weekends. This time I went with my friend Whoops!, who you may recall hiked with me in January. This was her first backpacking trip, and it was great. The distance was short, but the rewards lasted the whole time. Perfect conditions and an even more perfect sunrise made for a great first experience for her. We may go again next week. I really can’t wait until my wife Fielden Stream can come along. That should be soon. In the meantime it’s really fun taking new friends along and showing them how amazing backpacking is. You don’t have to kill yourself with a 60lb pack and 20 mile days of 5,000ft elevations to feel like a champion out there. Do what’s comfortable and attainable. From there your abilities and confidence will grow with you. The mistake most new backpackers make is pushing yourself too hard and expecting too much the first time. This was a 2.2 mile hike each way. While it was uphill the whole time, it was moderate and gradual except for one spot. It was a perfect hike, and it’s so nice not to be obsessing over miles, just the smiles. You don’t have to do all 48 4,000-footers in New Hampshire, or climb Everest to enjoy the outdoors and identify with it. Go out and enjoy!

Photos below, and of course, a video which has a lot more of the experience. Watch the video here:.

Miles total: ~5

— Linus

Linus at the start

Bridge on the long path

Rays

Brook crossing

Whoops! at the cairns

Whoops! on the rocks

Linus by the shelter

Camp

Big Hill shelter

Linus and Whoops! at Big Hill

Warmth

Sunset

Linus at sunrise

Whoops! at sunrise

Whoops! on Big Hill

Whoops! on the trail

Linus at the brook crossing

Whoops! at the reservoir

Reservoir views

Linus on the Dam

Wildflowers

 

Harriman Overnight Backpacking Trip (NY)

Last Thursday I decided to finally realize my multiple threats (or should I say requests!) for a mid-week overnight backpacking trip between work shifts. I don’t know yet when I will be able to go back out in the field for work, and since there’s not really any open A.T. sections in my area that I haven’t done yet, I decided to find another great hike nearby. I have been tossing around the idea of Harriman State Park in New York since my previous two hikes on Connecticut’s Regicides Trail. This is mainly because they are very reminiscent of each other in ways.  I did research some other overnight sites in Connecticut but most were in state forests or parks that were not open. There were some options, but Harriman was at that point just calling me back. I did a solo overnight there in 2015 over the Timp and West Mountains. That was a scorcher! Well of course I became so pre-occupied since then with the A.T. and my various trail jobs on it as well as local Connecticut trails that this park just fell off my list.

But as I began to ponder and plan something there, I began to recall all the fantastic scenery that is to be enjoyed. Having done all of the A.T. in New York, we were also treated to another long section of trail in the park, including the famous “Lemon Squeezer.” This loop would take me within less than a mile of that feature, and was extremely reminiscent of the bear-troubled Fingerboard shelter and mountain, just north of where I camped. While this shelter did have a bear activity sign, being OFF the A.T. means a LOT less traffic and use, so I wasn’t too worried and didn’t have any issues. I am experienced in these matters and practice proper food storage and preparation guidelines and i know that helped. In fact I had the place to myself which was just what I needed out of this hike.  I did encounter many people day hiking, even a couple backpacking, but no one but myself stayed here.

Wow, was I right in my recollection of the scenery here. And I’ve only explored a tiny fraction of this park to date. I had some issues with one of my trekking poles on this hike, and my tent is trekking-pole supported. So when I got back I ordered some new poles which are on the way, and also a book of 35 circuit hikes in Harriman. Happy to give money to a great organization like NYNJTC (New York New Jersey Trails Conference) and I spend so much time on the computer, sometimes Its just nice having a book. I would print out maps for the hike and not bring the whole book along, but it’s also easier than scouring 100,000 web page reviews of best hike options for an overnight.

Mountainhopper helped me at the last minute decide which of several loops to do, as he had been doing this one (or a slightly longer version) the last few days and knew which roads and lots were still open from the Covid closures. The weather was glorious, even the rain overnight was no big deal. Though I’m much more tolerant of and accustomed to rain now! All part of the fun, embracing the suck.

Amyway, I made a video. Pictures are of course below, but if you want to see the video click here. I liked it so much it’s now my header image (using the panorama feature on my phone).

Miles total: 7

— Linus

Rules

I don’t think we’re in NYC anymore Toto

Starting the climb up Hogencamp Mountain

Lone tree on Hogencamp Mtn

Plenty of scrambles

Rock and vapor trails

Using Peakvisor

Bald Rocks shelter

Hey there Boo boo!

Looking west over camp

RIding the mountain’s spine

Approaching sunset

More sunset

A bit more sunset

Gourmet

Sunrise from camp

Hiking out on a soggy morning just past sunrise

Rock runways

“Bowling rocks” just after sunrise

Laurel tunnels

Morning fog over a lake

An old entrance to the Hogencamp Mine

Hogencamp Mine. This is zoomed, Stay far away, if you fall in you are probably not getting out alive, seriously.  This is the main shaft and VERY deep with walls as slick as slime

 

Georgia Appalachian Trail Section Hike Days 1-3

Last week I had the privilege of backpacking the Georgia Appalachian Trail. While I planned for up to 2 weeks, the weather was quite erratic and the cold temperatures bested my sleeping bag and all the warm gear I threw at it. I made the call after day 6 to end early as I couldn’t drop $600-800 on a zero degree bag (and wouldn’t for a section hike) and will come back to finish Georgia and make it up to Deep Gap, NC as planned when it’s warmer and the crowds have gone through. I was at the very front end of the bubble so I still found shelter space and had the honor of accompanying some new thru hikers for their first 53 miles north.

My format for this will be to copy verbatim from my trail journal that I wrote when arriving at camp or a hostel or town each day. I have already completed the video, and you can find that here, if you prefer that format. Everything in italics is an afterthought or comment I made that wasn’t in the journal itself. Photos are below the journal entries.

Miles Day 1-3:  25.7 (including the mile southbound up Springer Mountain before heading back north.

Day 1: Springer Lot to Springer Summit to Hawk Mountain shelter. 9.1 miles

Heavy rain at start, until back at the Springer lot, met Jarhead and his dog, I think they were heading into town because his dog popped his inflatable pad. Mostly downhill and flat until long climb up Hawk Mountain from Three Forks. Missed the turnoff to Long Creek Falls. Started to downpour about 2 miles before the shelter. Here with a crew of 5 and local day hiker Jamie Hiikes. We tried (or rather Paul did) to make a fire but its all wet and windy and is starting to rain again. Going to have dinner soon then sleep — was up early at Donald and Mary’s (Further Appalachian Shuttle) so I should sleep ok.

Day 2: Hawk Mountain Shelter to Gooch Mountain shelter. 7.6 miles

Got out around 9, with Rockflipper – and I got ahead of him on Sassafras, which normally would kick one’s ass-afras but I felt strong and crushed it. Too bad the view of Atlanta and the Marietta owl towers was a whiteout. Got a few views before the rain. Justus was mercifully re-routed but I still had some climb up it, plus a few more, and 2 exciting creek crossings including Justus creek. I took my boots off for both, and that’s actually good as clean feet also means less blisters. The water was warmish and felt good but I did tear a sock so I’ll get another pair at Neels Gap. Beautiful hike and I saw Mary who was shuttling out the hikers I shared a bunk with the night before, as one of them got sick. People left water at Horse Gap and Cooper Gap

 Afterthoughts: (not in my journal)  … and I found out later it was two hikers that joined us at the shelter this night: Lefty and another gentleman who didn’t have a trail name yet. They had a lot of extra so they dropped it there before hitting the trail themselves.

I just got to the shelter and had lunch and rockflipper is here now. Time to hang and have fun. And roll my muscles out.

 Afterthoughts: (not in my journal) : I picked that up from Early Riser, and with that and eating banana chips daily I didn’t have a single charlie horse! I also learned later from Whittle that I could use my trekking poles to do that too — just gotta do it before I set up my tent if using my tent as they hold it up!

Day 3: Gooch Mountain Shelter to Henry Gap. 9 miles

It was torrential rain all night and thunder and lightning in the early AM. It all got wet, some rain blowing in sideways.  Lefty and his friend had came in to camp later last night as did Oso who is one of my friends now. He hikes with Sleeves and knows him well. We made a video in the AM before McGyver and Snuggles (Paul) and everyone left.  The two late arrivals headed for Neels Gap then Blairsville and Snuggles and McGyver are taking a few days in Dahlonega to switch out some gear. Rain stopped shortly after leaving camp and rockflipper and I headed up Ramrock and Big Cedar — both big climbs but we did get the views on Ramrock before it socked in at Preacher’s rock, where we met some nice local hikers. We checked out Woody Gap and took pics there too. Some pretty cascades on the trail south of Henry Gap where we got off. Mary came out to get us on the trail and we went back to get a room at the Seasons Inn in Blairsville and hang at the Grateful hiker. Then the AYCE (all you can eat) pizza buffet smash! Now we just finished organizing all our stuff for the day/slackpack to Neels Gap tomorrow and tomorrow’s resupply and stay at Mountain Crossings. Enjoying the warm room, hot shower and toilet and town food. Did laundry too and dried out our stuff in a yard sale all over the room. We leave at 10 tomorrow and hope to hit Mountain Crossings by 330. It’s 7 miles, much of it uphill. Bringing my spikes in case it’s icy but starting late so that can melt off a bit.

— Linus

The weather wasn’t promising

At the Atlanta airport – it’s like they knew!

The Further Appalachian Shuttle and Grateful hiker are awesome check them out- based out of Blairsville

At the Springer Mountain lot

On top of Springer

A shoutout from my shuttle

Refilling my water

Three forks – all the creeks were super high

Hawk Mountain shelter

Paul and Jamie trying to make a fire but everything was saturated

Rhodendron tunnels

Justus creek crossing

Creek crossing in my water / camp shoes

Linus on Ramrock Mountain

Resting in Blairsville at the Seasons Inn

KT tape to the rescue for hotspots that almost became blisters

Linus and Rockflipper at Preacher’s rock, Big Cedar Mountain

Linus at Henry Gap

 

 

 

Appalachian Trail: Pennsylvania Section 1

The last two days we spent backpacking another section of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania. Err.. ROCKsylvania, as its known. And it’s for real. Really real. Lots and lots and lots and LOTS of rocks. Big ones, little ones, medium ones, pointy ones, slippery ones, foot squishing ones, sideways ones… you get the picture. We knew in advance, we’ve been warned for years! ALL A.T. hikers pretty much know this, in fact.

We did the flat section in Boiling Springs in July when we were nursing wounds and it was 95 degrees as day hikes but I wanted to get a good, challenging overnight in in case this was the last overnight for us together of the season. Mission accomplished! (still sore).

I also had to make it to my son’s soccer game in Kent yesterday at 330 so I didn’t want to be a 4-hours-plus drive away. Wind Gap to Delaware Water Gap was 15.5 miles, with a shelter 9.1 miles in. The forecast was for 40’s-50’s temps at night and rain most of Monday. We have done our share in rain and that’s fine, but at those temps it becomes a risky combo that we had the luxury to avoid. Plus it was FIelden Stream’s birthday so we usually do a backpacking trip with one night in an inn and one on trail. So we did this again. And since Monday was actually her birthday we had an even better excuse to stay at the inn that night and wait out the rain.

We got a room at the old Deer Head Inn, right on the trail. It looked really cool last time we were in town. We loved it. The only downside was the live jazz and the restaurant weren’t open on Mondays. We will be back for that experience. We can still stay there after another nearby section. The family that run it were very friendly and we got a great rate. We had a really nice room (no TV at least in our room, but who cares!). I sat on the porch with my sketchbook, drawing the beautiful scenes from the porch while it rained, and listened to jazz on my iphone and had a glass of wine.

We got some great dinner suggestions all around the area but we were supposed to meet with a southbound thru hiker for dinner so we picked a place right on the main strip where the hostel and our inn were. As it turns out he was unable to make dinner, so we could have gone somewhere new. But we went to the Sycamore grill last time we were here when we finished New Jersey and liked it a lot. So we were just fine being there again for dinner.

We had a nice dinner and got to bed early after watching some videos on our phone. See, who needs a TV in the room these days!  We were up early to get coffee and donuts at the village farmer, and had fun taking our pictures in the pie slice and hot dog portrait sign. We also got a fresh loaf of raisin bread and cider donuts to have for breakfasts before and during the hike, and got an Uber to Wind Gap right on schedule! We had a nice talk with the driver who was also super friendly and helpful and then it was a quick climb up out of Wind Gap.

While it was a brisk ascent it was gentle on the feet here still, and it wasn’t long because we were already at 1,000ft coming up this way to the ridge. The other end is a much longer climb, and we even felt that going down it at the end!

Soon after we reached the ridge, the fields of rocks began. And kept going, and going… Elevation-wise this day was almost entirely flat once we reached the ridge. Wolf Rocks was a fun scramble, with much, much, larger rocks that formed the spine of a rocky ledge, with drops about 30 feet down on the mountain side. The views north were very nice, and we met a few day hikers here (and one backpacker) who were also taking the tricky scramble slowly. We got a few photos here and then finished the challenging technical walk as we re-entered the forest. I’m glad we waited for it to be dry, this would have been tricky and I did not want to miss it and take the bypass!

We had two more miles to go after Wolf rocks to the shelter and thankfully 1.5 miles of it was along a jeep road. We passed Fox Gap at the top of the ridge line and then it was only .5 to the shelter. We were told by lots of folks to camp at Nelson’s Overlook just beyond, and clearly many do as we found many fire ring sites. But I’m a Leave No Trace educator, and not about to break rules I teach, as lovely a spot as it was. We also met 3 southbound thru hikers at the shelter, when we thought we might be alone. And we really enjoy talking to the thru hikers, having a picnic table and shelter roof and privy when possible. So we set up on the hill behind the shelter and the water source was very close. It’s a spigot on the grounds of a religious retreat right on the same mountaintop. Wow what a view they have! Anyway the spigot is on seasonally and I called and asked on forums in advance to make sure it was still on, as that’s the ONLY water source on this entire 15.5 mile stretch except Eureka Creek at 1.2 miles south of the start. So I recommend checking that its on before you go, and if not pack in a bunch of extra water.

We had a nice night at the shelter. We spoke to the thru hikers a bit at dinner, did our best to catch the sunset over the retreat, and then retired very fatigued to our tent. It was cold, but we were close together and warm and all bundled up and tucked in so we stayed mostly comfrotably warm. We needed the rest so getting to bed at hiker midnight was no problem. We slept almost a full 12 hours.

We were up early the next morning and spoke briefly to a man who was staying at the retreat and came out to check out the view at Nelson’s Overlook. We then made our way out of camp before 8 am, as we had 6.4 miles to do before noon so we could make it to Kent in time.  The thru hikers had said it was easy and had a long flat road section and the ascent wasn’t bad at all (so our descent shouldn’t be).

Nelson’s Overlook was a wonderful view for sure. Apparently it’s popular with the hang gliders too. We moved on a bit further to a place called Lunch Rocks, where we had breakfast! It too had a great view, including our day’s hike laid out in front of us to the east. The ridgeline ahead stretched south and then east to Mt Minsi, on the Pennsylvania side of the gap. You could see Mount Tammany in New Jersey just behind. We also passed the 900-mile mark to Katahdin, which the thrus make out of little rocks. Always neat to see. From here, it was much less rocky but several uphills caught us off guard because I didn’t have a look at the profile in much depth. They weren’t bad or long but we were tired from the tough first day. But we did eventually reach that long flat stretch of road along the spine of the ridge, and it took us all the way to the summit of Mount Minsi. There was an incredible view south of the Delaware River, and we met two other SOBOs who were friends with the ones we were at the shelter with, and they were planning to meet up. That’s why the thrus were up late and still sleeping the night we were there – they were waiting to catch up with each other as they hadn’t seen each other since New Hampshire.

Just past there was the eastern view directly of the Mount Tammany summit and the gap below. We did that hike last fall. It was so fun to be on the other side of that view. It’s very dramatic from either side.  We began the descent that would take hours. While only 2.4 miles, it felt like double that. Now it had MANY incredible views of the gap all along the rocky rhododendron-lined descent. At several points it was very close to the ledge, and the leaves and acorns made it a little sketchy at times. Again I’m so glad it wasn’t wet. It really felt more like northern New England here. There were several scrambles, and it pushed some of our limits as we were getting low in energy. But the views…

Eureka Creek was flowing, and very pretty. I saw a juvenile bald eagle flying above me on the final lookout but didn’t succeed in getting him on camera. Once we reached the road to Lake Lenape and the parking lot, we were happy to have flat ground. The towering rock ledges on the side of the trail featured a big overhang cave with a steep path up to it. I got as close as I was comfortable climbing up while filming and then headed back down where Lake Lenape was and from there it was about a half mile out to the lot and the road and back down to the Inn. We did it in 4 hours which was my long estimate, but we didn’t anticipate how slow the descent would go. We fueled up at Taco Bell on the way back to Connecticut. Hiker hunger is also very real.

Another great hike in the books. We are at 400 miles now. With luck, we will get one more in this season if we get a warm weekend before Thanksgiving. Its always so hard waiting from October until April to go backpacking again! Photos below.  Watch the video here.

Miles Day 1: 9.1

Miles Day 2: 6.4

Bald Eagles: 1

Spiderwebs in the face: too many to count, a lot!

Rocks: WAY too many to count, a whole lot!

Views: Plenty of great ones!

SOBOs we met: 5

Spent a nice night at the Deer Head Inn Pre-hike

The A.T. goes right up that road

The Village Farmer in DWG, PA

Fun at the Village Farmer

Starting at Wind Gap

Rock town!

Rocksylvania

More rocksylvania

Aaaand more rocks

Even MORE rocks!

Frog Friend ( a break from rock pics)

Wolf Rocks

Wolf Rocks

Linus on Wolf Rocks

FIelden Stream on Wolf Rocks

Nelson’s Overlook

The 900 Mile mark from Katahdin

The Delaware from Mt Minsi summit looking south

Mt. Tammany, NJ from Mt Minsi PA, DWG

Delaware Water Gap from Lookout Rock

Another view of the gap from Mt. Minsi

Delaware Water Gap from Mt Minsi

Lake Lenape

Cave near Lake Lenape

Hiker hunger is real

 

Ridgerunner Weekend #5, Bear Mountain and the Riga Plateau

One of my favorite sections (and everyone else’s) of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut is Bear Mountain in Salisbury, our highest peak. Most of the day hikers take the 2-mile Undermountain trail to the Appalachian Trail at Riga Junction. From there, the summit of Bear Mountain is just .9 miles higher.  On this trip, as others, I encountered many hikers heading up for a quick out-and-back.

I was still getting over a bad cold, so I chose to take the undermountain trail to Lion’s Head and then back to Riga shelter, so my daily mileage would not exceed 6. I didn’t want to push myself too hard. Usually I do a much longer loop up here.

I was planning to meet my friend Brian again at Riga and he would be starting after work. I had about 6 1/2 hrs to cover the 5.7 miles I did, so I took several breaks, including a long one at Brassie Brook shelter, and at Lion’s Head. Lion’s head is about .6 farther in this direction than the shelter but its easy miles and its views are not to be missed. There are actually two great lookouts; a northern one AND a southern one.  I love them both.

I knew from the register at Brassie Brook (and our chapter water reports) that the water source at Riga was dry, as were most of the others along my route, except for at Brassie Brook. So I loaded up there with another 3 liters so I was covered for the night. While this made my load heavier. these miles after the initial climb from the undermountain trail head were primarily flat with one small climb up to Lion’s Head itself.

I had a lovely break there, laughing as turkey vultures circled overhead, cawwing loudly (or whatever you call their sound) and discussing how tasty I might be. I met a northbound thru hiker along the way and a few southbounders.

When I arrived at Riga there was also a southbounder there with her dog. I also encountered yet ANOTHER fire ring against the rock under the NO FIRES sign. People can really be stinkers sometimes. Its disappointing that people can be so purposefully disrespectful. So I got to work cleaning that up and then I got a reward when looking through the register. The thru hikers we were following online and that we met in June in Falls Village had left us a note here thanking us for recommending they stay here, and how great the view was indeed. (It turns out later that we realized they also gave us shoutouts in their videos of both those days!)

This hike was an overnight on Friday the 13th, and the first Firday the 13th with a harvest full moon in over 20 years. We were thrilled when it materialized in all its glory that night. And because we never did get the famous sunrise the next morning as a storm was moving in. The wind howled all night, as well as a chorus of livestock sounds from the farms below. In the morning, the weather was moving in quicker and rain was now scheduled to come at 11. We had a quick breakfast and headed up to the top of Bear, cutting and clearing a few blowdowns on the way.  ( I had also cleared a large one the day before on Lion’s Head.)

There was still a little bit of a view and we got some photos and then hussled back down to Riga junction and the undermountain trail, passing 24 hikers and several dogs. My cold was also starting to come back a bit, so I was glad to have had another easier than usual day.

We stopped at the Cornwall Country market for some breakfast and just as we sat down it started to pour. I don’t mind hiking in the rain, but when I’m sick, and its cold and wet, that’s a bad combo. The timing worked out perfectly.

It was another great season as a weekend summer ridgerunner, and I hope to be back again for a 4th next year. Until then I will knock out a few more sections elsewhere with my wife, and do some volunteer work on our section. Photos below.

Miles day 1: 5.7

Miles day 2: 5.5

— LInus

Stickbug!

Brassie Brook

Large blowdown I cut

Some kind of seedpod

Heading up Lions head southbound

Lions Head

Lions Head south view

Me on LIon’s Head Northern view

Turkey vultures overhead

The great view at Riga shelter

Friday 13th Harvest Full moon at Riga

Some cool mushrooms

Beautiful oak – a blowdown we had to cut

Autumn hobblebush

Pointing back to Lion’s Head from Bear Mtn

Me and Brian on top of Bear before the storm

Mts Race and Everett in the clouds (MASS) from Bear Mtn summit

The twin lakes of Salisbury, CT from Bear Mtn

The remains of the stone tower on Bear’s summit