Recent comments

  • Reply to: Lake Sonoma/Overlook Rock/Manaticut Point Long Loop from Crescent Drive   4 months 2 weeks ago
    The hike description has been updated to reflect the latest changes in the blazing of the trails in the area.
  • Reply to: Lake Sonoma/Overlook Rock/Manaticut Point Long Loop from Crescent Drive   4 months 3 weeks ago
    I did this hike on 11-7-23, again in the clockwise direction, as I prefer to climb to Manaticut Point early in the hike as opposed to descending it at the end of the hike. The blue blazed trail referenced in the hike description does not exist anymore, you are either on the yellow blazed Manaticut Trail or white blazed Overlook Trail the entire time. Trails are in very good shape overall, but the white trail needs reblazing in both directions between the two power line crossings. This is one of my favorite areas and hikes, and is great one to get away from the crowds.
  • Reply to: 27. Greene County Route 10 to South Mountain Road in Conesville, Schoharie County   4 months 3 weeks ago
    A gate has been newly installed partway up Bluebird Rd. (It was not there when I last visited in September). There is no signage at the gate, and it was unlocked, but due to its location (where Bluebird Rd goes from paved to unpaved) I suspect it will be locked from December - April when the road is "unmaintained". It doesn't look like there's anywhere to park on the paved portion of Bluebird Rd, as it is one lane and very narrow, so if you plan to enter this section via Bluebird Rd in the winter, expect to park on South Mtn Rd and add a few miles to your day. Also note that the trail register on Bluebird Rd is not at the trailhead. (It does say that in the trail description, but I guess I didn't notice it, or remember reading that! I entered the woods at the trail register, and it took me a little while to get correctly oriented....) Had an otherwise lovely day.
  • Reply to: Rancocas State Park   5 months 9 hours ago
    Such a wonderful place to relax when I'm between projects, the foliage is really vibrant this year.
  • Reply to: 29. West Conesville to Doney Hollow   6 months 1 week ago
    I did this section a few months back from south to north. Following the directions, I entered the Nickerson campground. A woman there informed me that the long path is no longer allowed through the campground. I apologized and exited back to the road I came from and walked North along that to Mine Kill. Later I noticed that in the southbound direction, this closure is indicated by a sign in Mine Kill State Park but not do much in the northbound direction unless I missed it. It seems this section needs updating.
  • Reply to: Pochuck Boardwalk Section of Appalachian Trail   6 months 1 week ago
    Spotted Lantern Fly Alert! Hard to miss them in the wooded areas of the trail, just look for tree of heaven. Stomped as many as we could. Parked at the Stairway to Heaven trailhead on 94, most hikers were headed up and we had the trail to the bridge practically to ourselves. Beautiful wildflowers and butterflies. And cows. Moo!
  • Reply to: Monks Trail Circular   7 months 3 weeks ago
    This hike was fine for what it was. Terrain was good and trail well marked. We hiked the day after rain so it was packed with mosquitos. A few places where the trail was getting overgrown. Lots of poison ivy just off the path.
  • Reply to: Torne Mountain/Osio Rock Loop from Otter Hole   7 months 3 weeks ago
    I returned to this hike for a second time on an early Sunday afternoon in late July 2023. I agree with the positive descriptions from previous reviewers - this hike's challenge are the short and somewhat steep sections with rugged and rocky footing. I enjoyed not only the many outlooks and vistas along the loop, but also the changing nature of the terrain and surrounding woods. There is a bypass option along the way, and this time I took the less steep and rocky option. This narrow footpath seemed to be minimally traveled and was almost obscured at points by lush grasses thanks to the recent heavy rains. The figure-eight loop is well blazed with only a few exceptions where I wandered off on unblazed spur trails. I also found that the crossings were good markers of progress along the way. I completed the hike in less than two hours, stopping for only a few minutes at the significant viewpoints. One key point worth mentioning: This hike is also readily accessible from the next parking area to the west along Glenwild Road (the one with the West Milford welcome sign). You can start on the red Torne Trail and turn right onto the blue Hewitt-Butler trail to continue with the hike description. The advantage of this starting point is more available parking on both sides of the road. I rated this as a 5-Star hike based on easy parking access, a nice variety of terrain and challenge. A great shorter loop when time is limited.
  • Reply to: Public Transportation Links   8 months 1 week ago
    Trailways does not go Poughkeepsie, NY any more. If you need got from Poughkeepsie to Highland or New Paltz you need to take a UCAT Bus. The bus departs from Metro station in Poughkeepsie.
  • Reply to: Old Cedar/Silver/Rocky Ridge Trails Loop in Campgaw Mountain County Reservation   9 months 3 weeks ago
    We hiked this loop on a holiday weekend, preferring the nearly vacant parking lot at Campgaw to the usual traffic jam at the Ramapo Reservation. Although the multiple engagements with the power transmission line and the constant road noise from Interstate 287 take away from the feeling of the wild, this is still a good loop to stretch the legs and get out into nature. The trails were well blazed and the hike description quite accurate about intersections and turns. The presence of old stone walls from former farm fields is a nice reminder of Bergen County history and seems to make the location of the MEVO Farm more sensible. the disc golf was unavoidable in the latter part of the hike, but did not take away from the experience. We enjoyed sitting in the sun at the top of the Campgaw ski slope, thinking about the next snow season and watching the raptors ride the thermals above the parking lot. Returning to the starting point, the clean porte-potties were a welcome amenity, too. Overall, a relatively easy and fast hike when time for travel and walking are limited.