Friday, November 25, 2016

Hudson Highlands State Park, NY - Bear Mountain Toll House to Anthony's Nose


ABOUT THE PARK:
Hudson Highlands State Park - New York State Parks

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates  41.30142, -73.95127
Parking at the Bear Mountain Bridge Toll House

TRAIL MAPS:
East Hudson Trail Map #102 - NY-NJ Trail Conference
Camp Smith Trail Brochure - NY-NJ Trail Conference (free map)
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HIKE DISTANCE:  6.6 miles (3.3 miles each way)

THE HIKE:
The day after Thanksgiving I had a lot of pie to work off and Shawnee had to sit this one out because this hike was way too hard for the wheelchair and would have been impossible.  As careful as I was to sneak out, that plan failed miserably, she was on to me and was not happy about it.  I suffered guilt the entire hike but all was forgiven once I returned home.
Bear Mountain Bridge Toll House
Behind the toll house, at the kiosk, straight ahead...
... the start of the blue-blazed Camp Smith Trail
The entire hike is very rugged but the first two miles are the most rugged but also less crowded later in the day.
The Hudson comes into view early on but the views get better and better.
Lots of cardinals at the beginning of the hike.
No sounds of gunfire on this day.
A yellow rope sections off the forbidden zone.  Maybe the threat of gunfire is enough to keep people out.
Steep ascents and descents.
Looking south down the Hudson River.
Iona Island directly across the Hudson.
Looking north up the Hudson.
Perkins Tower on Bear Mountain across the Hudson,
Continuing on a short easy stretch.
This entire area was covered with now about a week earlier.  A couple of spots remained at higher elevations,
Anthony's Nose up ahead on the right.
Old former military buildings on Iona Island.
Bear Mountain Bridge coming into view.
Anthony's Nose
The trail descends to another parking lot on Route 202.  Only one car there at 9 AM but give it a couple of hours.
The Camp Smith Trail continues to the right of the kiosk in the parking lot.
Broccy Brook
The trail becomes smoother and easier after the parking lot.
Zoom to Bear Mountain Inn across the Hudson.
There are still some scrambles going up Anthony's Nose (and I could think of no other way to phrase that).
Lots of snow over on the north side of Bear Mountain.
There was quite a bit of litter from that parking lot on and I had intended to pack out a few pieces on my way back but when I found a bag to haul litter in I could pack out a lot more.  I hung the wet back on the trail to dry out a bit and would grab it on my way back.
A very steep descent that actually has an easier bypass to the right.
At the bottom of that scramble, a smooth woods road to...
... views from Anthony's Nose
Heading back and grabbing my litter bag which filled up in no time.  At this point, throngs of people were heading up to Anthony's Nose all carrying those plastic water bottles I was picking up on my way out.  Wonder how many of those were left behind as I cleaned up.
This little black-capped chickadee flew straight at me and I thought I was going to have to duck but he stopped just in time to have a snack.
Remember that parking lot with one car?  Here is where the droves of people are coming from.
Now that the fog has lifted, Hook Mountain and the Tappan Zee Bridge are visible in the distance.
Survivor of the recent snow.
Not so many people heading to Anthony's Nose through the more rugged section.
Back at Bear Mountain Toll House.
Here is what I packed out, almost all from Anthony's Nose to that parking lot about half way through.  There was a ton more litter at the parking lot but I only pick up what is on the trail.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Cape Henelopen State Park, DE - Fort Miles/Pinelands Nature Trail


ABOUT THE PARK:
Cape Henelopen State Park - Delaware State Parks

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 38.77702, -75.09206
Fort Miles Historic Area Parking Lot

TRAIL MAP:
Cape Henelopen State Park Tail Map - Delaware State Parks
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HIKE DISTANCE:
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge: 5 miles
   hiked together with (.7 mile drive away):
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Pine Grove Trail:  1.25 miles
   hiked together with (15.7 mile drive away):
Cape Henelopen State Park - Herring Point/Gordon's Pond Trail:  3 miles
   hiked together with (.9 mile drive away):
Cape Henelopen State Park, DE - Fort Miles/Pinelands Nature Trail:  2.25 miles

THE HIKE:
I didn't even realize pets weren't allowed on this trail until I started but I hadn't planned on Shawnee doing it with me anyway.  She had already hiked 9.25 miles and her eyes started closing the minute she got in the car.  I don't make a habit of leaving her in the car but it was cool and the sun was setting so I let her rest while I tried to power hike this 1.5 mile trail.
Did I say power hike?  In ankle deep soft sand?
Fortunately by the time the trail splits into a loop, the surface hardens and the going gets faster and easier.
Sun setting, must hurry!
The woods really are gorgeous when the sun is going down.
Careful!  Stay on this side where there is no hunting!
What?  Beach access?  Should I?  Oh heck yeah, I'll make it fast...
More ankle deep soft sand slowing me down.
Coming up over the dunes ...
Oh WOW!  Much more stunning in person.  The colors were incredible and even an ugly old ship looked beautiful in the setting sunlight.
OK, enough now, I REALLY must get going before it is pitch black out.
Back on the trail ...
Finished the loop and back to the parking lot.
I think she was tired enough not to care that I went without her.
Just a quick jog over to Fort Miles for a peak.
There is much more to it but it really was getting too dark so back to the car.
It was pitch black before we got out of the park.  Perfect timing.  Because I felt guilty for leaving her in the car while I hiked we stopped at Burger King on the way home.
Coffee for me and cheeseburger-hold-the-bun for Shawnee!
This was the highlight of her day.