16 May (Sunday) Wawayanda Hilton

Beautiful, low 70s.

Bob from Cider Mill B&B (645 258-3044) took us back to the trail this morning. Although expensive (most we have paid this trip), the price included dinner, breakfast, and shuttle from and back to the trail. And the meals were incredible.

Nice trail and only 7.3 miles. The trail started at Pochuck Creek Footbridge, a long series of boardwalks. It then climbed what the locals call "Stairway to Heaven". It is almost 1000 ft. vertical. The picture is a view from the top.

The shin splints did better; some pain but better than yesterday. Plan is to do small miles again tomorrow then take a zero day in Greenwood Lake, NY on Tue. We finish NJ tomorrow!!!

We are staying at the Wawayanda Hilton. This is trail humor for a three sided, six person shelter. We are sharing the shelter with Sampson, who also started in HF. He intends to do a thru-hike too.

By the way, Pochunk is Lenape for "out of the way place". Wawayanda is Lenape for "winding waters".

More pics from 15 May

15 May. Glenwood, NJ. Cider Mill B&B

Beautiful day low 70s.  Wonderful hiking and mostly easy trail.

While Esther was here, she brought her computer and scale.  First, I was able to update the map through Unionville.  I also confirmed that I am continjuing to lose weight.

Forgot to mention that on Thur.  we saw deer several times and a wild turkey.  Today again we saw deer several times.  We also saw White Swans, 2 snakes, a Great Blue Heron, and a muskrat.

After High Point, we came down down on the trail and have been going through lowlands with lots of swamp.  There were many boardwalks today.  Tomorrow we start with Pochunk boardwalk which is 0.8 mile long.

Arrived at Pochuck Shelter at 1:30.  We had planned a short day but that was before we took a zero day.  I had wanted a motel so I could get ice for my shin.  It really seemed to help yesterday.  The shin hurt today but I had been going easy and wanted to continue.

We hiked 9.5 miles to Glenwood, NJ.  On the way we called Applewood B&B but they were full.  They gave me another place, also full, who gave me the number for Cider Mill B&B.   Bob came to pick us up.  The prepared a wonderful dinner tonight, will give us breakfast tomorrow, and take us back to the trail.  It is very expensive but medically necessary.

The day started very bad.  We were almost in a car crash.  A taxi took us to the trail in Unionville.  The driver pulled out in front of a SUV going 50+ mph.  He had no time to stop.  Wendy made a noise and the taxi driver stopped just as he entered the far lane.  The SUV swerved (mostly too late) and went by.  It was over.  That would have changed everything.

Next place to stay is 18 miles away so we will sleep on the trail tomorrow.  Ice on my shins now.  I am using my hiking poles more like crutches - slow but effective.

Life is tough on the trail.

There were 14 pillows on that bed!

Wallkill River NWR

Near Unionville.

Sandpiper and Aunt Esther

14 May (Friday) Days Inn near Unionville, zero day

Decided to rest my leg for a day and watch the rain out the window. We have had enough rain for now.

Esther took Wendy to the laundromat so we will have clean, dry clothes. We are drying the rest of our gear in the hotel room.

We need to go to the drug store and maybe the food store. We will go to lunch before Esther leaves. It is great having access to a car - so nice of her to come visit us and get us off the trail for a day.

13 May. Unionville, NY

Very wet and cold this morning again. Low was back in the 30s but it warmed to 50. Saw a wild turkey today and several more deer. Also, saw many more Lady Slippers after the sun rose higher.

The rain stopped but the forest was soaked. The branches were hanging over the trail so as we walked through, we got as wet as if it were raining. I started the day with 2 shirts, fleece sweater, and rain coat plus long underwear, pants and rain pants. And gloves and a hat. By end of day, I was down to just the lightest of the two shirts. Below picture is when the sun came out and the clouds were still low.

We hiked to High Point State Park. Below is a picture of the monument to veterans. It is located at the highest point in New Jersey. From this view point, you are supposed to be able to see New York city on a clear day. It was clear but I could not see it.

After this, the trail turns South East, perpendicular to the direction we want. It is following the state line between New Jersey and New York. Thus, tonight we are actually in New York. But we won't be finished with New Jersey for a couple more days. Actually, this area includes the tri-state area of NJ, NY, and Pennsylvania.

We came down out of the mountains after High Point and walked across low lands, farms and swamps. In one area, we crossed a 0.4 mile boardwalk. It is made of 8x8" beams stacked 4 high in places to support the boardwalk.

In all, we hiked about 14.5 miles today. Wendy's aunt Esther met us in Unionville and took us to a motel. Wonderful! We just got back from dinner. Also wonderful. Not sure about tomorrow. Planned to hike but my leg was bad today and the weather forecast is not good tomorrow.

12 May. Mashipacong Shelter

Cold rain! It rained all night and most of the day. Low was mid 30s to a high of around 40.

Two more hikers arrived at dark. It was starting to rain. One slept at our feet across the bottom of the raised floor. No room for the 7th so they pulled the picnic table up under the roof overhang and he slept on the table. The last 2 boys are brothers. They and the one who arrived earlier are all hiking 25+ miles per day. Probably because of the rain (no one wanted to get out of the sleeping bag) they slept late. We did not get out of the shelter and start hiking until about 10:00.

Hiked all day in the rain. The picture is from our lunch stop at Gren Anderson Shelter. We did a little more than 12 miles. Saw many Lady Slippers and a few orange lizards, all struggling with the cold temps.

Trouble with my left leg today - seems like shin splints. Very painful. Plus the hiking was very unpleasant and the rocks were very slippery. Better to step on grass or leaves than the rocks. Usually it is the reverse. We planned to do 15+ miles today but stopped at Mashipacong doing only 11+.

Again no data connection.

11 May. Brink Rd. Shelter

Coldest night yet, 28.  Partly sunny in am but clouds came bringing rain now (6:30). 

We saw the first deer of the hike (hard to believe).  Klipspringer saw a bear today.  He and Farmer (pronounced Fa-mah in Maine) are in the shelter tonight.   We are all in our bags before 7:00 because it is cold and starting to rain.  New Jersey is known for having an active bear population.

It was cold but OK for hiking.  There were some rocks but also some beautiful sections of trail. 

There has been no data connection all day and problems with the GPS.  I think I got a position registered but I'm not sure.  I will get one and send this tomorrow.

Another hiker just arrived making 5 in here - all this shelter can handle.   He says 3 more are coming.   This is the second batch of thru-hikers who started in GA and are doing big miles. 

10 April Sunday. Zero day (waiting for pack)

My new pack arrived - but not early enough to leave today.  It is a GraniteGear Nimbus Meridian, like the one in the picture, only burnt orange iso blue.  I have almost all of my gear in it.  It feels a 1000% better.  I am very happy with it.  Thanks again to Rich (Rockfish Gap Outfitters in Waynesboro, VA) for advising me to get this pack, adjusting it, and sending it UPS so we could continue our trip.

I think my new shoes are going to be fine.  I have been wearing them and they feel good so far.  I never would have bought GoLite shoes normally but they were my best choice at Edge of the Woods Outfitters here in DWG (and they were on sale).  There was no time to have Rich send another package.

Wendy' hiking poles were also repaired at Edge of the Woods Outfitters.  They will be driving us to the AT in the morning. 

Wool E. Mammoth and Often Lost

Other pictures from todays hike...

09 May - Sunday - slack pack day back to DWG

Cold day and very windy, 25-30 mph. It was in the 30s all morning with light sleet twice. High maybe 50 at times. It was mostly cloudy until afternoon. When the sun was out and no wind, it was too warm (for how we were dressed). A few minutes later, in the wind and under the clouds, we were cold.

While waiting for my new pack, we accepted Wool E. Mammoth's offer to help us slack pack. He and Often Lost took us to Millbrook Rd. In New Jersey. We hiked 14 miles back to DWG without packs.

Overall it was a beautiful but cold day. Cold is better than warm while your hiking. When you stop, cold is a problem but today, we were back at DWG in the motel so, no problem. There were a few patches of PA style rocks but overall it was much nicer in NJ.

One of the nice things about the trail is the people - all kinds of people. Today while hiking south, we met the following people going north:

Freeman from Maine who we previously met last week. Last year he hiked to Parisburg, VA and spent the winter there. Now he is headed back to Maine.

Tick who is doing a flip flop starting in Harper's Ferry like us. We had heard of him for some time but today is the first time we met him.

We also passed 4 young guys we previously met in town. They are doing a thru-hike GA-ME. They are doing big miles so we are not likely to see them again.

Also saw/met many locals out camping or day hiking. We met a woman previously met last weekend on the other side of Lehigh Gap. This is the second time this has happened.

On the way down to DWG, my shoe blew out. I have never seen such a failure. I duct taped it and made it down. I went to Edge of the Woods outfitter and was able to buy a pair of GoLite shoes that I think will work.