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.

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.

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:

 

Return to Stokes State Forest, NJ

Stokes State Forest, located in Sussex County NJ, has become one of my favorite all season hiking locales in NJ. And there are many great hikes in NJ !

This time I returned to the Appalachian Trail by Culver's Gap. The last time it was with snow shoes and 3' of fresh snow. Spring has arrived. The pictures will tell the story. However, a rare treat was being invited into the Fire Tower' observation box. Great conversation with the forestry worker and an amazing view! I now know how to identify a Turkey Buzzard (over 30 in the area) - they fly in a drunk manner, a Hawk (they glide) and an Eagle (darts like a rocket).

 

My hike took four hours and seven (7) miles (I stopped to take pictures) - going from 800' to 1,550' diverting off the Appalachian trail at Stony Brook - then back to the parking lot via the Coursen Trail.

Trail hint - at 1.6 miles (from the Culver Gap parking lot), there is a small trail going left off the white blaze Appalachian Trail - which leads to a nice outcrop and vista (where I photographed some turkey buzzards in flight).

View pictures from my hike at Stokes State Forest, NJ.

Stokes Forest - an Amazing Snow Shoe Hike

With over 3' of fresh snow, we ascended the Appalachian Trail from Culver's Gap in Stokes State Forest, NJ. Weather was sunny and brights at the base and the climbing was a fair challenge up to 1,400' (from around 800' at Culver's Gap). One hiker had already blazed the trail, making it slightly easier to follow the path. Except for the occasional snow mobile, the only sound was the crunching of the snow beneath our snow shoes.

Before we began our hike, a dog sled team was preparing to take off down the closed and snow covered Sunrise Mt road. The dogs yelped and jumped vertically in the air, anxious to go. The dogs were filled with so much energy. They were very loud. As the musher took control - the dogs instantly quieted down - and bolted down the snowy road. In an instant, they were gone. 

Upon reaching the top of the trail, the view was wondrous and beautiful. And it was very still and quiet. We began to walk with the Fire Tower our objective. Without a GPS or means to gauge our mileage, and having never walked this path - we had no clear idea how far the tower would be.

We noticed off into the valley the gathering clouds. You can clearly see the snow falling in the distance. On my earlier hike onto this ridge, I knew the clouds and weather changes quickly. When I walked this ridge in September, it was a clear day yet the clouds began to look menacing. Lightning would not be fun exposed on the ridge. On this winter hike, it looked like a storm was brewing overhead. Then just as quickly the clouds would part and the sun shine through. Yet off in the distance it began to look darker and more stormy.

 With what looked like a storm heading our way, we retraced our path and headed back. We did not reach the Fire Tower. And as we began our descent, the snow came. Since we were comfortable on the trail, we enjoyed the heavy snow fall (fortunately not blizzard conditions). It added an enjoyable element to this fantastic hike. And as we returned back to the car, the sun came back out . 

Pictures from our Stokes State Forest winter hike.

Post Note (4/24/2010) - with a new GPS in hand, I found we traveled 1.16 miles (from Culver's Gap) before we decided to turn back. The Fire Tower is 1.6 miles from the base.

Kittatinny Trail - Rattlesnake Swamp & Appalachian

The Appalachian Trail draws me in - creating a strong desire to hike more and more of this fabled pathway. On the Kittatinny Ridge - Rattlesnake Swamp trail, enjoy the very scenic 2+ mile section of the Appalachian.

Walking on the ridge offers magnificent scenic overlooks in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational area. And at the Catfish Fire Tower, a full 360 degree view (from the upper section of the tower). There was no signs forbidding the climb; don't be afraid of heights.

Further along, the trail turns off the Appalachian, and we head down the side of the ridge to the swamp area ("orange" blaze). At the pond, head over to the Mohican camp (I didn't, but saw someone else's pictures...so heed my advice on this one - the double back to the main trail). Along the way, the rhododendron are huge and amazing. This hike will  be incredible during the spring when these shrubs flower. 

I highly recommend visiting this hike. View my pictures of the Kittatinny Ridge; Rattlesnake Swamp on Flickr. 

Appalachian Trail: National Geographic TV

National Geographic presented the Appalachian Trail recently on the cable channel. The allure of this fabled hike grows stronger after seeing the beautiful vista's and sites in each of the four main segments of the trail.

Previously I thought that doing the complete trail is out of reach; yet NAt Geo cameo'ed a 70 year old completing the hike, so who knows. Clearly, I am not ready - but that could change.

The only complaint, they glossed over the Pa/NJ/NY section of the Appalachian trail. This segment was barely discussed or displayed in the video, giving much more air-time to the Southern, Virginian and New England sections. However, if you can - enjoy this show on the National Geographic channel.