Catskill Forest Preserve, NY - Phoenicia East Branch from Lane Street to Ashokan Overlook

ABOUT THE PARK:
Slide Mountain Wilderness - New York DEC
Trail Conference to Open New Catskills Trail - NYNJ Trail Conference

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 42.07825, -74.31898

Parking lot at the end of Lane Street.

TRAIL MAP:
Northeastern Catskill Trails Map 141 and 143 - New York New Jersey Trail Conference
Long Path Relocation - NYNJ Trail Conference (free map)

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HIKE DISTANCE:  13.2 miles (6.6 miles each way)

THE HIKE:

First I would like to thank everyone for the unbelievable number of comments regarding Shawnee's passing.  The outpouring of love for my girl was nothing short of incredible and it made dealing with losing her easier to handle.  You are all friends I am grateful to have.

The blue-blazed Phoenicia East Branch Trail is also the reroute of the Long Path.

A short distance in ...

... a trail register.  Based on the trail register entries, only about 2-3 people hike this trail a day so if you want solitude in the Catskills, this is the place to be.  I ran into nobody all day.  Two other people had hiked but they did not go as far as I did so I never ran into them.

Somebody was enjoying some mushroom.

I placed this litter where I would see it to pack it out on my return route but the couple who hiked just beyond this point after me must have taken it because I never saw it heading back.  Thanks!

The overlook on Romer Mountain.  This is 3.2 miles from the parking lot and seems to be where most people go before turning back.

The second overlook on the right.

Ashokan Reservoir comes into view.

At the Ashokan Reservoir Overlook about 6.6 miles out.

This was my turn around point so heading back.

There was a lot of bear scat on the trail along this route but no bears to be seen.

I had missed this overlook on the way out.

Dark-eyed Juncos in the summer?  I Googled and apparently some do stay at higher elevations and don't migrate.

Washington Rock State Park, NJ - Shawnee's Final Hike

ABOUT THE PARK:
Washington Rock State Park - NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Washington Rock Park - Somerset County Park Commission

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.61328, -74.47337

TRAIL MAP:

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HIKE DISTANCE:  0.67 mile

THE HIKE:
After a long discussion with Shawnee's chiropractor the day before, it was agreed that she was deteriorating and that it was time to release her from a body that was starting to shut down.  Shawnee had developed skin ulcers that were becoming infected, most likely the result of the mast cell cancer she was diagnosed with a couple of years ago.  I contacted her veterinarian and made arrangements to put her to sleep first thing this morning and requested the veterinarian do it in the car so it would be easier on Shawnee.  Instead of going straight to the vet's office, we left early to stop on the way for a final little hike.  Shawnee had a hard time doing the .67 miles but it just confirmed in my mind that it really was time to let her go.  No wheelchair, no stroller, just me and Shawnee.

SHAWNEE  ♥  March 2001 - August 1, 2017

 

Special thanks to...

Dr. Penelope Rochelle, Thrive Veterinary Wellness Center, for keeping Shawnee's body in hiking shape up to the very end and for spending so much time with us helping to make this final decision.

Dr. Jennifer Feeney, Somerset Veterinary Group, for caring for Shawnee her entire life and for her gentle kindness and compassion in making Shawnee's final moments stress free and peaceful in the familiar surroundings of our car.

All of you who have come to care about Shawnee through this blog.  It is because of her this blog started and it will continue because of her.  There will be another hiking dog but there will never be another Shawnee.