Tied to the whippin’ post, tied to the whippin’ post.
Good Lord, I feel like I’m dyin’.” – Allman Brothers
Up at 7:30. Lazy morning. Ate breakfast and started walking to the trail at 9:45. I arranged a shuttle for Wednesday late afternoon to take me from the trail into Great Barrington, MA and made motel reservations. Not sure exactly where I will be for pickup, but gave the driver a range. They were cool with that.
Sunny, 75 degrees, low humidity. Nice day.
Talked to a SOBO who also stayed at the same inn. She started June 2. The mountain did not open until June 1, hence all the early June people I have been passing.
Stopped at an amazing little store in Kent for coffee and a chocolate croissant. 45 On Main. A bunch of other hikers that I have been around for the past two days are also here. They camped just outside town at Mount Algo shelter last night.
45 On Main in Kent, CT
Very pleasant walk along the Housatonic River. Weather is amazing. Keep humming Country Roads, but then I remember I’m in Connecticut….just not quite the right mental place for that song.
Country road walk in CT
Stopped for a break and to research places to stay this evening at the Hiker Parking spot. Could not pass up the chairs. Back on trail at noon.
Hiker ParkingLots of stream crossings
Road walked into Cornwall Bridge and crossed the River.
Road walk into Cornwall Bridge, CTRoad walk into Cornwall Bridge, CTRoad walk into Cornwall Bridge, CT
Got to The Hitching Post motel in Cornwall Bridge, CT at 3:30. Just not feeling like camping out, and my feet hurt. Hence the early stop today. Can’t wait to get new shoes and insoles in two days in Great Barrington, MA. I’m also enjoying platinum blazing for a little while!
The Hitching Post motel in Cornwall Bridge, CTThe Hitching Post motel in Cornwall Bridge, CTDay 121 Map – Kent, CT to Cornwall Bridge, CT
Up at 6:20. Lovely sunrise. On trail at 7:20. Have 13.9 miles to the country store for lunch about 2:00.
Sunny, low 80s. Humid. Looks like a nice day.
These plank walkways are super slippery and hard to walk on. You have to cross them using a skating motion which is very tiresome.
Slippery board walk near PAwling NY
Crossed through a large wetland just north of Pawling, NY. Nice raised boardwalks.
Boardwalk near Pawling NYBoardwalk near Pawling NY
Train station to New York at 8:45. Stopped for a quick snack. There is a deli half a mile away, but I don’t want to burn the time as I have a long way to go today.
The train station on the AT in NY
Over a ladder and across a large meadow with a big old water tower in the background.
Startimg a muddy field walk in NY
Snack break 10:15 to 10:35.
Reached Wiley Shelter at noon. Somebody left/donated a set of crutches.
Wiley Shelter
I missed the AT detour due to a washed-out bridge. Crossing where the bridge used to be wasn’t bad so I skipped the detour.
Bridge washed out…rope crossing now
Welcome to Connecticut at 2:30. Nice water cache here as well!
Welcome to Connecticut
Crossed the Ten Mile River on a footbridge at 2:50. This is where the Ten Mile joins the Housatonic River. The river is running high from the hurricane. The last 2 miles were steep and rocky. My body is feeling it today. Particularly my feet.
Cool covered bridge walking into Bulls Bridge, CT.
Crossing through Bulls Bridge, CT
Had a nice talk with an older couple by the covered bridge. The woman thought I was insane!
Stopped at the Bulls Bridge Country Store for a soda and ice cream at 3:45.
Bulls Bridge Country Store
I’m feeling lazy and my feet hurt this afternoon. Cutting the day 4 miles short. Ubered up to the Fife & Drum Inn in Kent, CT for the evening. Looking forward to a NICE meal and some good bourbon.
Checked in at 5:00. Nice place. Showered and walked to the Fife & Drum restaurant for a good steak and a few drinks. Had a nice chat with Dana and went to bed by 10:00.
Here’s a happy one for you” – Roy Roger’s and Dale Evans
Overkill and I are parting ways today. I have enjoyed our time together on the trail. I’m not sure I would be where I am now if I had been solo for the past two plus months on the trail. We may cross paths again in the White Mountains or Maine, only time will tell. Happy trails Overkill. Good luck and stay safe!
Up at 6:30. Said goodbye to Overkill and walked to the Redline Diner across the street for breakfast at 7:00. Overkill grabbed an Uber and is starting about 30 miles north near Bulls Bridge, CT at mile 1465.
Sunny, high of 82, humid, light breeze.
Checked out of the hotel and got an Uber to the trail at 8:30. The restaurant was VERY slow:( On the trail at 9:00. Running late. 17 miles to go today. Hope to be to camp by 6:30.
Skipped a 5-mile section of the trail between Canopus Lake (day 117) and RPH shelter. I hate to do that but I need to make up time and distance, plus trying to stay near people I know as I move into New England.
Hard 2-mile climb to start the day after crossing under the Taconic State Pkwy.
Crossing under the Taconic State Pkwy
Stopped at NY Route 52 for a break at 11:40 and 5 miles. It’s quite humid today. Lots of limbs and branches down and lots of standing and flowing water in the trail. The storm dumped a fair amount of water. Back on the trail at noon.
Day 119 views
Crossed over I84.
Crossed over I84
Decent amount of ups and downs so far today. Slow, steady uphill for the next 4 miles, then about 3 miles of downhill to water in 6.8 miles.
Stopped at Morgan Stewart Shelter for a quick break at 1:55 and 9 miles. Got 2.9 miles till good water. Making decent time today. Heard from Dana that she shipped my resupply, including new shoes. Should arrive in Great Barrington , MA before I get there mid-week. Thanks, sweetheart!
Morgan Stewart Shelter
Stopped for water and a snack at old Route 55 at 3:35. Carrying out 2.7 liters as there is no water near the shelter. Have 5 miles to the shelter for tonight. Back on the trail at 4:00.
Hiking around Nuclear Lake late this afternoon. A little history for my readers. “In 1958, an experimental nuclear fuel research lab was set up on the shores of a lake in Pawling, NY, by Nuclear Development Associates. All was apparently fissioning along just fine until the early 1970s, when two serious accidents occurred at the site. First, in 1971, a rubber stopper came off of a plutonium powder container, contaminating a lab room with radioactive material. Then, in 1972, a chemical explosion occurred in the building adjacent to the lake (pictured below in this NY Times article), causing an unknown amount of plutonium powder to spew out into the air and presumably onto the surrounding grounds. Nuclear Lake had earned its name.”
I got to the Telephone Pioneer Shelter at 6:30. Sharing with 3 high school girls out for the night. Ran into Legend and Rooster. They are staying at a very near tent site with two other folks. A bunch of other NOBOs showed up later.
Telephone Pioneer Shelter
Jon Luning parked near here and hiked in root beer, deli sandwiches, and bourbon. We had dinner together at the shelter. Thanks Jon! Texted with Dana. Sunset is at 8:00 these days. Climbed into my quilt at 8:30.
Overall it was a good day. Great weather and nothing too difficult on the trail. It was awesome to have dinner with Jon on the trail. Tomorrow will be a long 21.6, but the terrain looks nice and the weather looks great.
Day 119 Map – RPH Shelter to Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Up at 7:15. The hotel has a decent breakfast. Ran into Legend and Rooster at breakfast. They decided to get off the trail for a day due to the weather as well. We have been seeing them on and off for a week or so.
We did laundry and permethrined some of our clothes. We are heading into tick territory!
Did some major route planning for the next few weeks. Hoping to make some good miles this coming week with good weather. At the moment, my schedule shows me summiting Katahdin on October 9. Not terrible but not great either. The weather is going to start becoming an issue (cold and snow). I hope to make up a few days, but at the same time, I could lose a few days in the Whites due to the weather. Actually, the more I think about this, the more I’m getting nervous about summiting on time. Need to move!
I walked to a barber and got a well-needed haircut mid-afternoon. Also got all my blog entries through today updated and posted. The remnants of Hurricane Debbie hit just after I got back. Heavy wind and rain.
Overkill and I walked to a local diner for dinner. Good food. I love diners! Back to the hotel about 7:30. Talked to Dana for a while. Got all packed up for tomorrow. I’m thinking about getting an Uber back to the trail at 7:30 a.m. I have 17 miles to go, and sunset is at 8:00 tomorrow. Yuck!
Kind of bummed this evening. Watched TV till midnight 🙁
There’s a big umbrella casting shade over an empty chair
Palm trees are growing and warm breezes blowing
I picture myself right there
On some beach
Somewhere” – Blake Shelton
Up at 6:15. Rained a lot last night but stopped for us to break camp! I stayed mostly dry last night, but need to dry out my rain fly. On trail at 7:30.
Planning to stop at mile 5.7 at Canopus Lake. Snack bar opens at 10:00 and they have nice bathrooms. After that we have a shelter at mile 10. Will make a call at that point depending on weather. Goal is 20 miles but I doubt that happens with the weather we have coming today. Thanks Debbie.
It’s mid 60s and humid but feels a tad chilly. Rain on and off today with the nasty stuff tonight and tomorrow.
Telephone of the Wind. Very cool!
Telephone of the WindTelephone of the Wind
Ran across a random rooster on trail. Anybody missing this guy?
Trail Rooster in NY
Reached Canopus Lake beach park at 10:35. Hiked over to the concession stand for a pulled pork sandwich which is smoked on-site! Also took advantage of real bathrooms.
Canopus LakeCanopus Lake Beach concession stand
We called it for the day. Hurricane remnants arriving this afternoon and all day tomorrow. Temps are dropping too. Guess I need to think about getting my cool weather gear back soon. Anyway, we are getting a hotel room in Fishkill NY and zeroing tomorrow. Will Uber there shortly. We just won’t zero in Great Barrington later this week which means we won’t lose a day. Should be about a 20 minute drive to the Best Western.
Got checked in early, hung ALL our gear up around the hotel rooms to dry, walked across the street for snacks, showered, and took a nap. Overkill headed to Walmart, then Chipotle for dinner. I’m having dinner with Jon and Pam Luning. They live about 40 minutes east in CT.
Day 117 Map – Dennytown Road to Canopus Beach Park
But I’m takin’ a Greyhound on the Hudson River line
I’m in a New York state of mind” – Billy Joel
Up at 7:30. It’s raining and 65 degrees. It will rain on and off all day. We are going to road walk 2 miles to the zoo at 9:00 with a stop at Dunkin’ Donuts to get coffee. Then we will cross the Hudson. Overall, 18 miles today. This is not going to be a fun day.
Not in a great mental place today. The weather is going to suck for 4 days and we have a long wet day ending with tenting in a field this evening. Yuck.
Left the motel at 9:05.
Awesome picture of the Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River in the fog.
AT crosses the Hudson River on the Bear Bridge
Hiked through the zoo. The trail runs right through the zoo as illustrated by the white blazes in the zoo gate.
Only porcupine I saw was in the zooZoo entrance with white blazes
Stopped at 11:40 for second breakfast. Back on trail at noon.
Reached the Appalachian Deli at 1:45. Got a big lunch and 2 full days of resupply (ramen, propel, Pop Tarts, trail mix). I’ll also grab a sandwich to go for dinner. Back on trail at 2:45. Still have 8.5 miles to go.
Appalachian Deli in NY
Stopped for a break and to fill up water at 4:30. Trail angles provided fresh water and chairs!
Trail Angle provided rest stop
Got to camp about 7:40. Sunset is at 8:05 these days. Got set up in the rain quickly, and my tent is dry. Yey! With the rain and overcast, it was dark by 8:15. Gotta start planning the days better.
Glad I got a takeaway sandwich. Not in the mood to cook in the rain and dark.
Tomorrow will be interesting. We have 20 miles planned, but it’s supposed to rain all day. That impacts things physically and mentally. I need to work on some bailout plans for tomorrow.
Today was a good day after all. Did not rain till late in the day, but the overcast kept temps low. Good deli mid-day, and starting the day with the zoo and the Hudson bridge crossing was super cool! Need more days like today. That ain’t happening for at least 72 hours due to hurricane Debbie 🙁
Up at 7:00. Reached out to a shuttle for 3:00 pickup. On trail at 8:00.
Stopped at state park at 8:40 for bathroom, water, and a soda from vending machine. Back on trail at 9:15.
View of Lake Welch and a large power plant.
View of Lake Welch
Crossed the Palisades parkway.
Crossed the Palisades parkway.
Crossed the 1400-mile mark.
1400 Mile Marker
Ran into a 6-foot black snake.
Large Black Snake
Best view of Bear Mountain we will get.
Best view of Bear Mountain
Rained on us the last 30 minutes of our hike. Not bad as it’s going to rain for the next 4 days.
We got picked up by a shuttle at 3:10. Stopped at post office so Overkill could pick up her new trekking poles. Got to Bear Mountain Bridge Motel about 3:45. We are sharing a 3-bed room. It does the job.
Walked across the street to a gas station for a few supplies then walked about half a mile to a deli to get dinner.
Deli blazing through NY.
Deli blazing through NY
Back to the motel and hung out. Talked to Dana and read till 10:00.
We have done some bigger elevations the past 3 days. Particularly yesterday. We have not done that since central VA. Our legs have gotten out of shape a bit in the last 6 weeks. We really felt the elevation this week. We need to build back up our legs before we hit the White Mountains. This entire trip has just been training for the Whites.
Day 115 Map – Fingerboard Shelter to Fort Montgomery
Here he comes, squeeze play, it’s gonna be close. Here’s the throw, here’s the play at the.
Holy cow, I think he’s gonna make it” – Meat Loaf
Up at 6:00. Great breakfast. Packed up and left for the trail at 7:05. On the trail at 7:20.
Mid-80s, clear, low humidity.
Stopped for a second breakfast at 9:00 and 3.8 miles. Fairly easy hike so far today and nice weather. It will warm up around noon. Back on the trail at 9:30.
Walked past a pair of raging waterfalls. Bad drought this year, obviously.
Day 114 Waterfalls in NYDay 114 Waterfalls in NY
Walked quite a ways on boardwalks and arrived at a water cache at 11:15 and 7.1 miles. This cache even had frozen water bottles. Sweet!
Overkill on the NY BoardwalkMuch needed Trail Magic water
Back on the trail at 11:40.
Stopped for lunch at 1:40 and 10 miles. Back on the trail at 2:10.
Crossed Interstate 87, New York State Thruway, at 3:40.
Interstate 87, New York State Thruway
Stopped just after to get water from a culvert. Water is water, I suppose. We have 4.1 miles to go.
Got to the infamous lemon squeezer at 5:00. This was a bit of a challenge, but fun overall.
The famous Lemon SqueezerThe famous Lemon SqueezerThe famous Lemon Squeezer
Up at 7:10. Overkill is still asleep and needs it. Had a great breakfast prepared by the owner, Pete. Did another load of laundry. Attempting to dry out packs and shoes before tomorrow.
Ordered new insoles and my next pair of shoes. Will have Dana ship them to me next week once we figure out our route plan. Worked on blogs and uploaded a week’s worth of photos.
Walked into the village for lunch and a few snacks and dinner for today from CVS (body armor and hot pockets). I spent the afternoon working on blogs and Overkill slept.
Figured out our plan for the next 7 days into CT. Dana will ship a supply box to us in Kent, CT.
Walked down the road to the ice cream shack with Overkill and Dying. Goooood ice cream!
Here is an update on mileage per week. Last two weeks were lower than expected due to rocks and rain, but not too shabby.
Days 105 to 111 – 107.7
Days 98 to 104 – 103.3
Days 91 to 97 – 1128
Days 84 to 90 – 93.5
Days 77 to 83 – 100.9
Days 70 to 76 – 117.1
Days 63 to 69 – 104.8
Days 56 to 62 – 99.1
Days 49 to 55 – 88.6
Days 40 to 46 – 84.3
Days 39 to 45 – 69.6
Days 32 to 38 – 58.5
Days 25 to 31 – 74.6
Days 18 to 24 – 63.4
Days 11 to 17 – 51.7
Days 4 to 10 – 61.3
I recently weighed my pack. With 1.7 liters of water and 3.5 days of food, it came in at 38 lbs. That’s 6 lbs heavier than I started with, but I’m eating about .5 lbs MORE food per day, and this new pack is at least 2.5 lbs heavier than my ULA pack. Overall, it’s fine as this new pack lets me carry heavier loads much more easily. Still, I need to lighten my load a bit.
On a related note, I’m hovering at 189 lbs. That’s surprising given calories in/out, but maybe my calories burned numbers are high?
I’m trying to get re-energized about the trail after 2.5 weeks of drudgery. The upcoming week of rain isn’t helping.
Up at 6:30. Packed up. Breakfast at the hotel. Ubered back to the trail. On the trail at 8:00.
Upper 80s, very humid, 50% chance of rain after 1:00 lasting through tomorrow.
Texted Lost n Found hostel about bunks for tonight. Confirmed bunks for tonight. $45 includes laundry and shower. They will pick us up at NY RT 17A.
Also got us a 3-bed room at Bear Mountain Bridge Motel in Fort Montgomery for Monday and Tuesday nights.
We met our first SOBO thru-hiker today. He started on June 1 at Katahdin.
Climbed 1.4 miles up The NJ Stairway to Heaven this morning. Would not be bad except for it’s very slippery from the storm and it’s like 96% humidity.
The NJ Stairway to Heaven
Stopped at the top for a second breakfast at 9:00. Birds-eye view of the farm store where we took shelter from the storm last night.
farm store from yesterdayView from top of NJ Stairway to Heaven
Back on the trail at 9:30.
Arrived at Wawayanda State Park Headquarters at 11:30. Topped off water, had lunch, and tried to dry out my pack. Back on the trail at 12:30.
We crossed into NY at 3:10 in the rain.
NJ / NY border
For the next 4 miles and 3 hours, NY tried to kill us. It was a 4-mile rock scramble, sometimes near vertical 30-foot ups and downs, in the pouring rain, thunder, and lightning. Boulders were big and very slippery. We both fell twice. Hard to describe the experience. Could have easily gotten very injured . It ranged from very concerned, to ridiculous, to drudgery, to despair. We both agreed that this was the most dangerous thing we have done on the entire hike to date.
Vertical NJ in the rain
Finally got near the end. The last 2.2 miles were normal trail and not boulder fields.
Greenwood Lake
We finally made it to the parking lot at NY Route 17A at 7:25, two hours late. We are both soaked and our packs are carrying several extra pounds of water. Peter, the owner of Lost n Found Hostel, picked us up and drove 7 minutes to his house/hostel. Peter is a bit older than me and is a thru-hiker, so he gets it. He runs a nice 7-bed hostel from his home. We got showered and did a load of laundry. We had trail food(ramen) for dinner at 9:00 then crawled into bed.
Given how miserable we are and how soaked our gear is, we decided to zero here instead of Fort Montgomery. I called the motel and dropped our reservation to one night as we still pass right by town in 2 days.
Day 112 Map – NJ94 to Lost n Found Hostel at NY RT 17A
