The First Bear

When in New York, the AT takes you through Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain State Park; they’re both beautiful. Just before crossing the Hudson River, the trail takes you through the Trailside Museums and Zoo. I’m afraid this is where I had my first (and only) bear encounter.

It’s a really cool little zoo with a lot of informative signs, a few animals, and a bear. For the record, I still haven’t seen any rattlesnakes.

Day 41 – Bear Mountain State Park to Dennytown Road campsite (18 miles)

Day 42 – Dennytown campsite to Nuclear Lake trailhead (23 miles) 

Blip

Day 43 – Salisbury trailhead to Brassie Brook shelter (5 miles)

Day 44 – Brassie Brook shelter to Great Barrington (16 miles) 

From NY to Blip

The 93 miles of trailing New York past rather quickly. Toward the end of the NY trail, you pass a beautiful body of water known as Nuclear Lake. No, it doesn’t glow at night or anything like that. The story is that 70 years ago there was a facility nearby that worked on something nuclear, but nothing residual remains. Still, I chose to scoop my drinking water elsewhere.

The Blip – As you may recall, I completed most of the Connecticut section in April, so took a couple days off while Beez hiked through. I rejoined him in northern CT, and 7 miles later, we were in Massachusetts.

A Change in Scenery

With few exceptions, the understory of the forests from Pennsylvania through Connecticut have included heavy doses of mountain laurels, which happen to be the state flower of Connecticut. Day to day, I’ve been watching their blooms approach maturity, awaiting the big bang. Unfortunately, it appears that as soon as we entered Massachusetts, we no longer see these gorgeous flowers.

If you live in PA, NJ, NY or CT, get your butt outside and into the woods! The mountain laurels are blooming as you read this. They’re throughout the forests and you’re making a mistake to miss them.

If you’re in Massachusetts you should still get outside. The understory of the MA trails is filled with an amazing variety of ferns and small flowers. I never get tired of looking at the ladyslipper orchids.

Just over the MA border from CT is a special place called Sages Ravine. A creek runs between two rock ledges, creating waterfalls, swimming holes and incredible trail. A campsite is nearby for your convenience.

Farewell to New York

In photos…

Thanks for listening.