Taking a Hike

Hiking the AT / Lemon Squeezer - Harriman State Park NY

Harriman State Park in NY (just over the NJ border) offers a large and diverse set of trails that include beautiful vista's, waterfalls and mountain streams, swamps, forests and more. Often all this diversity can be experienced on the same trail!

On Black Friday, instead of hiking through a mall or Walmart, I chose the AT / Lemon Squeezer trail.   Walking a section of the Appalachian trail is akin to a spiritual experience for me, even just 3 miles worth.  The overall 8 mile route  on this hike included a visit to pristine Island Pond.  During peak Fall colors, this would be a magnificent trail - and yet didn't disappoint on this unseasonable warm day.

The hike was not overly challenging except for the abundance of wet slippery leaves, resulting in one slide down a small embankment. Thankfully no one was around to see this embarrassing moment, save for some possible wildlife. I will admit to being somewhat disappointed with the Lemon Squeezer; it was not a challenge, as I was led to believe. However, the rock structure and formation is amazing to see. 

However, a second embarrassing moment was my inability to scale the rock face just on the other side of the Squeeze. I didn't have the height nor any real leverage to pull myself over so was forced to take the "easy trail" around this point. In hindsight, I would have looked for a log or large sturdy branch to give myself a leg-up. I recommended this hike and any trail in Harriman State Park.

View my images from my Harriman State Park / Lemon Squeeze hike.

Bearfort Mountain - Surprise Lake Trail

Brutal yet beautiful, this is how I describe my 7 mile hike at Bearfort Mountain (West Milford/Greenwood Lake area NJ).

Beautiful as you walk along the puddingstone ridges and through lush rhododendron tunnels. Three different types of mountain dragonfly' and wonderful vistas. Most trail guides take you to Surprise Lake (along the Yellow Trail), then have you return back. I strongly recommend continuing on to the State Line Trail (Blue) for amazing vistas overlooking Greenwood Lake. 

Brutal as you hike up many rock scrambles; some steep. A good challenge, which I enjoyed. However, these scrambles and the heat (July) bested me from completing the yellow trail loop, which touched a small segment of the Appalachian trail.

During this hike, I sighted a young Buck and a snake (see photo). We surprised each other on the trail. There have been reports of bears. Alas, no sightings. 

A secondary hike is to start from the Blue Trail by the Greenwood Lake Marina (see trail map for details).

This is a highly recommended trail and may be worth a revisit in the cooler Fall weather. View the complete set of photo images from Bearfort Mountain - Suprise Lake.

Jenny Jump State Park: The New Blue Trail

There's a new trail in town; at Jenny Jump State Park (near Hope NJ). Recently I hiked with the team that lead the development of this new six (6) mile trail; The West Jersey Crew (NY NJ Trail Conference). This was their unofficial inaugural hike, which also served to recruit volunteers to maintain segments of this trail. Your author is interested in learning how to maintain trails and taking on a segments responsibility.

The hike (light blue blaze) was held under cloudy threatening sky's; as if we need more rain in New Jersey. Many sections if the trail were mini-streams or muddy; yet overall,  wonderful vegetation and a scenic view of the valley and distant (11 miles away) Delaware Water Gap. This will be good all seasons trail; level 2 (easy with a few ascends). 

It was enjoyable meeting the crew and learning about their five years of work and the goals for maintenance. There is one final segment to be completed and the hope is to formally inaugurate the trail by Fall 2011.

View more images on Flickr: Jenny Jump State Park.

 

Sterling Forest - Highlands & Fire Tower Trails

This was advertised as a level '3'  eight mile journey; which turned out to be 11 miles and level 4: but who's  counting. The Sterling Forest trail was a tremendous hike with more than 2,500' of total ascends through rocky and scenic trails. I attended this hike with Doug Gould's  Adventures Unlimited hiking group.

The hike began in NJ at Long Pond Iron Works State Park (near Ringwood NJ), crossing into NY  State and through to the 55' Sterling Lake Mountain Fire Tower  (Teal Highlands Trail & Red Blazed  Fire Tower Trail).  Along the way; we encountered a large rattle snake. One hiker in our  group reported seeing a juvenile bear running parallel to the trail. The ascends were often steep and rocky; presenting a good challenge. The high-point was reaching the Sterling Lake Mountain Fire tower, with magnificent views of Sterling and Greenwood Lakes. This fire tower (circa 1922) welcomes hikers to climb to the top offering an incredible vista.

One tip for this hike; wear black fly bug spray.These small flies are a major nuisance. Another tip for those seeking less of a hike; start your journey from the Sterling Visitor's center, which will reduce the length and some of the steep ascends.

View images on Flickr: Sterling Forest and Fire Tower hike.

Snow Shoe Hiking : Worthington - Delaware Water Gap to Sunfish Pond

Nine miles on fresh powder snow; an enjoyable day on the Appalachian Trail through Worthington Forest (part of the Delaware Water Gap National Park - NJ side). The trail was in deep fresh powder with one hiker already through; tamping down a path with his snow shoes. I was pleased with my 2.6 miles/hr pace; even with long gradual ascents.

Walking "on" the frozen Sunfish Pond added to the adventure. It was my intent to take the turquoise trail at the far end of the lake up to the Tammany Ridge fire-road - returning on the Red-Dot. At this point; my snow shoes were making the initial trail; and I quickly lost the turquoise blazes. I might have stayed to explore further; but a snow squall came through; decided it was best to retrace back instead. Off across the pond and back to the Appalachian.

Enjoy my photographs: Snow Shoe Hiking at Worthington Forest-Sunfish Pond.  

Next trip, I will begin on the Red Dot and descend to Sunfish pond.

127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Beautiful scenes; gripping story. -Would you have the guts if it meant your very survival? Aron Ralston's story and movie "127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place" presents many different messages. For hikers; telling people where you are going is the most critical. Pilots file a flight plan; if they crash it is far more likely they will be located. When they go renegade, that is when the trouble begins.

I keep my friends informed by posting my plan on my Facebook. I will often upload images along the way. Posting images is fun (and how cool when someone sends a comment on the beautiful vista, while you are still there!). Yet it would give rescuers information about my last known whereabouts. BUT let's not think this way...  Just be prepared and let others know.

I enjoyed the message of destiny; everything lead up to this moment...

If you are a hiker - see this movie or read the book! Learn from it. Do you have the necessary supplies with you; for survival and first-aid? Would you have what it takes?

Book: A Journey North - One Woman's Appalachian Trail Story

A Journey North by Adrienne Hall - an interesting read recommended if you are contemplating a serious attempt at the fabled Appalachian Trail.

Adrienne takes you along on her journey north bound on the trail with her male companion. Will I ever take this journey, one can never say never. However, after reading her book the real challenges and pain come through. Not meant to scare anyone, but to prepare you, mentally and physically. I believe this book should be read by anyone seriously considering undertaking this extensive six-month hike.

In addition, her book contains a wealth of history and environmental facts, and the challenges of maintaining a 2,000 mile trail through the eastern United States. And the drama that is the trail; from population encroachment, cell towers and acid rain... trail angels and personal self doubts. And ultimately an amazing sense of personal accomplishment!  We highly recommend her book.

Other hiking books by Adrienne Hall:

 

Hiking at the Beach: Island Beach State Park, NJ

I have two great outdoor passions; the beach and hiking. What a great way to combine them - taking a hike at NJ's Island Beach State Park. I recommend that you take this hike off-season, since it will get very crowded on good beach weather days after Memorial Day.

Unlike most of the Jersey shore, this is a protected environmental area with large dunes and forest-like entrances to beautiful white sand beaches. The last beach is dominated by 4WD vehicles and shore fishing. And a magnificent view of Old Barney, the lighthouse on Barnegat Bay. On this journey, we did not locate any of the local inhabitants, which include turtles and foxes. However the dune vegetation was interesting and picturesque.

There was no blazed trails, simply wander down the beach and wander in and out of the various entry paths. The final beach is limited to 4WD's with permits (I was  tempted to take the Jeep Grand Cherokee out on the sand - but decided not to... next time perhaps) and is a good vigorous 1.7 miles to the end. Conditions can be chilly do to offshore winds and a chance to work on your tan as well.

View my pictures from this hike at Island Beach State Park.

Local Wildlife at Loantaka Brook Reservation - Morristown NJ

With a degree of certainty, there are small parks in your area worth exploring. While we dream of climbing through the Rockies or one of my favorite local parks (Stokes State Forest), there are nice quick hikes virtually in your backyard. For me, Loantaka Brook Reservation meets this need.

I began this visit to simply see what there was to see. What I found compelled me to return the next day. The trails are flat and basic, much of which is paved. Yet if you go, explore Kitchell Pond near one of the ball fields. Carefully observe along the banks and you will see brown snakes resting in the sun or snapping turtles on logs or basking in the mud.  

Observing 8-9 turtles on a log, I was compelled to try and get closer (truly I need a long lens camera). Yet these critters are able to detect my presence and would scamper back into the water. Thus my need to return the next day and try again (for-which, nearly the same results occurred - except for one brave lil guy).

During my visit, walkers would ask what I lost or what I am looking for. When I responded - snakes. They recoiled, and never thought about the wildlife within a few step falls. I assured them the snakes are not venomous. It was a wonderful and amusing little hike.

Are you tying your shoes correctly? Who knew!

Boy Scouts was a great adventure for me. I loved all the camping and being close to nature, exploring the woods and wilderness. Troop #40 in Hanover Township did their best to make me a good scout. Yet the one concept that I never managed well was tying knots (no merit badge for me!). And who knew after all these years, I am tying my shoes wrong!

Don't laugh until you watch this video. It seems I have been tying my shoes (including my running and hiking shoes) with the granny knot. Duh - it's suppose to be the Reef Knot!  Seriously, this makes sense as you will see at the end of this short Runners World video on correctly tying your shoes. Enjoy and learn!