Winter Adventures in Harriman

Dave, Tyger, and myself have a big announcement that I will reveal in approximately 1.5 weeks. Until then, know that we have been trying to hike a lot lately.

While we did not backpack the last two weekends, we did go out two days in a row both weekends. This past weekend I learned a valuable lesson about ice. It's a bitch, but you can make it your bitch if you just slip on a pair of microspikes. On Sunday, we drove over to Reeves Meadow for a hike. Dave put on a pair of poorly made ice cleats and ripped it up, swiftly moving in time with his trekking poles. Tyger seems to have natural microspikes, as he was running around without a care in the world. Admittedly, I once out there, I was being very grumpy and stubborn. I hadn't layered properly (no gloves or hat), nor did I bring my trekking poles. On top of that the trail was one giant sheet of ice. Even the friendly-looking snow was ice. My feet kept slipping out from underneath me. A man who strode past me gave me a pitying look. I watched an middle-age woman wipe out and her kids drag her down the sloped trail while she was on her back. She was laughing, luckily. In Dave's words, I looked like a 90 year old woman, the way I was gingerly shuffling around. I sort of got the hang of it towards the end of our hike when I realized I could hop from rock to rock to maintain my traction. Our short trip ended when we attempted to do a stream crossing to a side with much less snow and ice and we realized the stream was far too full and there wasn't a good crossing point. We made our way back to the car, determined to rip it up the next day.

Who? Tom Jones. [Backpacking All 9 of Harriman's Stone Lean-tos]

Today I am sitting here writing this with a smile on my face. D and I crossed another one of Harriman's Stone Lean-Tos off our list. We had made a challenge earlier in the year to camp at all 9 before the year was over. Unfortunately life got in the way and we took a 4 month break from hiking/camping. With a break that long, it was nice to put the pack on and get our miles in. Originally we had a friend who was supposed to come with us, but he was unable to last minute, which meant a late start for us and not many hours of sunlight. I was grateful as a shorter trek was a perfect way to ease back into backpacking. Earlier in the year, hiking almost every weekend with a 30 lb bag had made my legs stronger. Taking 4 months off seems to have been enough time for them to revert back to what they were. On some of the ascents I found myself wondering why I enjoy these things. By the time we approached the shelter, I mentally cursed my quivering quads as we descended and ascended again.

Lemon Squeezer x2 (Sort Of)

I know in my heart of hearts that I am happiest when I get a chance to get outside. These days it seems more and more difficult to make the effort, regardless of the fact that I know I'll enjoy it. This year, however, I've made a commitment to two longer hikes on the AT. The first one will be a 3 day hike in Maine. The second will be a 5 day hike from PA to NJ in August. So it's time for me to get my butt back in gear. My most recent hike was one I had done before, which happened to be my longest hike to date. That time I hiked from Elk Pen through Lemon Squeezer, past the Boston Mine, and then promptly proceeded to get lost. I was basically trying to follow this hike. By mile 9ish or so, Tyger was finally exhausted and I had to carry him for a bit. Compound this with the fact that it was August and the heat was not helping. Plus there were little gnats all in my eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. As miserable as it got, I was still proud of it. 

It was too bad that the only pictures I have from the first hike are low-quality ones from my last phone.

Loss of Head in Doodletown

It was Friday afternoon when I happened to ask some coworkers for recommendations of places to visit. I definitely got more than a few, but one spot was recommended more than once was Doodletown in Bear Mountain/Harriman. Officially it seems that the park is located in Stony Point, NY.

Now, hear me out, Doodletown...probably the silliest name, I know. In fact, when I told my hairdresser Saturday morning that I was planning on hiking Doodletown she laughed in my face.

Entrance sign near where we parked off of 9w

Harriman Snake

Harriman State Park: Silver Mine Lake

I was really surprised with this one. For a long time I've been meaning to explore Harriman State Park. The thing about Harriman though is that it is huge. The second largest state park in NY to be exact. With over 200 miles of trails, 31 lakes and reservoirs, an array of camping sites, boat launches, scenic lookouts, and more, it's a lot to pick out one spot to check out.

The Lake