Date: 2018-06-19
From: High Point State Park HQs 

To: NJ 94 - Rickey Farms
Miles today: 20.6

After feeding us a hearty breakfast, Mosey shuttled me and Szcut back to the trail. When we started our hike at 7:00 it was still a little cloudy and muggy, but soon a front would push on through, drying out the air and providing a breeze for most of the day. The trail started out a little rocky and the ground was still wet from the rain that came last night, so the going was a little slow at first. After about a mile I came to an observation deck with a view of the highest point in New Jersey and the valley below. It was also an excellent place to stretch. Szcut came and went as I conducted my daily routine. After passing the high point, the trail conditions improved considerably and dropped into lowlands. Several old rock walls marked property boundaries from years past. The trail also passed in and out of pastures and around a few farm ponds. A road or stream crossing would occasionally mark the transition from one landscape to the next. It always amazes me at how diverse the terrain can be over any given day of hiking. About 8.5 miles into the hike the A.T. crossed a farm road near a stream. The stream marked the NJ/NY border. Less than a 1/3 of a mile down the road was the little town of Unionville, NY. It sounded like an excellent place to stop for lunch. For about two miles leading up to the hike, I was loosely hiking along with Szcut, Ironman, and Steamboat. Szcut and Ironman decided to join me in Unionville, while Steamboat chugged on. Like most small towns in this region, it had long passed its heyday. On the short walk into town, we passed an abandoned site where a rubber factory once operated and across the road, was a rundown auction house where farmers once brought their crops to market. Nonetheless, the town was still quaint and I found the locals to be hiker friendly. This is contrary to what I recall reading in at least one A.T. book. Once in town, we refilled our water at a spigot on the side of the municipal building. Ironman made a beeline for Annabel¢s Pizza Restaurant. Szcut and I opted for Horler¢s General Store. I had a Turkey Sub and grabbed an Italian Sandwich and a few re-supply items to go. We sat on the front porch of the General Store enjoying our meal and made use of the outlets to give our phones a bump charge. After we ate, I went inside to get rid of my trash and noticed a man (Herman) that had just been hanging around since we arrived. You guessed it, I yogied a ride from Herman. A few minutes later, Szcut and I piled in Herman¢s truck and were happy not to have to walk back uphill to the trail. Almost two hours after we hit town, we were finally hiking again. We continued to skirt the state line, eventually dipping back into New Jersey. About two miles later the trail joined with a couple of country roads, which we walked along for over a mile. The A.T. then passed through the wetlands of the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, making a 2-mile circuit around marshes and ponds that provide a habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. I got some pretty good pictures of cranes (one in flight), a swan and a deer. I watched the deer stroll about a hundred yards into the marsh to feast on something. When it detected my presence, he looked up at me with a mouth full of branches and leaves. As he made a dash for the woods, he had to come across the trail. I got lucky and captured a picture of him in mid-flight as he crossed.After exiting the nature preserve, the trail followed low footbridges through a swamp area before ascending 1,200 feet up Pochuck mountain. Part of the climb was rocky and steep, but overall it wasn¢t too bad. At the top of Pochuck was a rock outcropping with a view all the way back to High Point. Look closely and you will see the monument in the picture. I think Szcut and Ironman were planning to stay at the Pochuck Shelter. Since it was only 3:00, I pressed on. After working my way down Pochuck Mountain, I crossed another country road. From here the trail continued along a boardwalk for one mile. Shortly after the boardwalk I passed through a cow pasture and crossed NJ 94. Decision time. It was 5:50 now and the next 1.5 miles was up the ¢Stairway to Heaven.¢ Also, there was little evidence of any tent sites for the next few miles. Meanwhile, 200 yards down NJ 94 stood the Heaven Hill Farm and some ice cream. I figured I should think what to do over two scoops of chocolate. The place closed at 6PM and I made it in at the last minute. The young ladies closing the place up did not seem to mind at all. As I sat outside eating my dessert before dinner, I decided to walk .2 miles back up NJ 94 to a place called Rickey Farms. It offered a tent site and a shower for $10. I¢ll take both, thank you. I was hesitant, but it turned out to be a good move.Missing my Which Way and can hardly wait for her to rejoin me.Peace & Blessings - NSElevation Data:Ascent - 2,560Descent - 3,620Grade - 5.7Weather:Day -83 / SunnyNight - 54 / Partly CloudyOver The Horizon: Bear Mountain, NY