Date: 2017-07-25
From: Fingerboard Shelter Tent Site

To: West Mountain Shelter Tent Site
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: broken clouds

7/25Fingerboard Shelter Tent Site to West Mountain Shelter Tent Site 8.5 miles Total Miles:  1396.8Note:  I have uploaded my photos through my stay at West Mountain Shelter. It rained some during the night, but it had stopped by morning.  The day proved to be one perfect for hiking by remaining overcast and cool all day. I saw several hikers wearing jackets.  Many Miles was already packed and getting ready to leave when I exited my tent at 6:45.  I would end up seeing him twice today and was quite taken with his calm, thoughtful demeanor.  He also knows the importance of a good shower, and he told me he was headed to Tiorati Circle and the Lake Tiorati Beach. The beach allows hikers to use their restroom and showers for free. It is also a good place to get water, and there are vending machines.  Ten got out of her tent soon after Many Miles left, and we chatted while we packed up. I again thanked her for her help at the overhang at the Lemon Squeezer.  I've mentioned that spot to several hikers today and found that almost all solo hikers opted for the alternative route. I really enjoyed talking with Ten.  She is trying to catch up with friends, so I don't know if we will see each other again. We exchanged website addresses so we can keep up with each other.  I only planned on going 8.5 miles today to the West Mountain Shelter.  This would set me up well for going through Bear Mountain State Park tomorrow. The AT goes right through the park's zoo.  There is a Trailside Museum, and the trail reaches its lowest elevation of 177 feet above sea level as it passes the bear exhibit. It's all uphill from there.  I also wanted an early finish after the past two days, and this would give Gravity a chance to catch up.  The trail today was very conducive for this, and I made excellent time.  There was lots of rocky trail with relatively steep ascents and descents, but it was just trail with little rock scrambling involved.  I took the 0.3 mile walk down Arden Valley Road to Tiorati Lake, where I again saw Many Miles.  I joined in on his conversation with a very nice mother of two beautiful little girls who were waiting for their swimming lessons.  Their mom offered me a bagel with cream cheese and a banana, which were both delicious. I also bought a dreamcicle from the vending machine, utilized the porcelain facilities, and filled my water bottles at the restroom sink. You could tell they cater to hiker trash by the sign above the sink, which requested that no one wash their clothes or their shoes in the sink.  I was soon back on the trail and had an uneventful walk to William Brien Memorial Shelter where I ate lunch.  I then pushed on to West Mountain Shelter, arriving before four o'clock.  I hiked awhile with Many Miles, but he had to camp closer to the town of Bear Mountain.  He has a package waiting for him there, and the post office is only open for two hours in the morning.  We rested and enjoyed the view from an overlook where the side trail to West Mountain Shelter meets the AT.  The shelter here is little utilized as it is 0.6 rugged miles off trail and there is no water or other facilities available. I decided to hike down the side trail and hopefully find a camping spot closer to the AT.  I was joined in this quest by Baer, a thru hiker I had met several weeks before and by Chris (aka Wolf), a young man who has joined Baer for a week. We found an excellent camp spot a mere 0.2 miles from the trail. I left my pack and continued on to the shelter, from which you can see the New York City skyline. The trail was rugged but well blazed. I read an interesting note in my guidebook about this area, advising hikers to watch carefully for blazes. I mentioned to several people that it would seem to make more sense to simply have someone paint more blazes. Apparently, someone got the memo, for both the side trail and the AT sported many freshly painted blazes. The shelter was stone and had been built by the CCC. The view of the Hudson River was very impressive, and you could just make out the NYC skyline through the clouds.  I've heard it is quite a view when the weather is clear, particularly at nighr. The shelter had recently undergone repairs to its roof, and is an impressive stone building. I was walking back to my campsite when it happened. Wait for it. Build some suspense here. Are you ready? Are you sure you are ready?  I SAW A BEAR!!!  It was walking quickly through the woods to my left, and I had no chance for a photo, but it was definitely a bear.  I was obviously very excited as I returned to camp. I told Baer and Chris, who then told me of the two rattlesnakes sunning themselves on a rock nearby. I quickly went there and saw a timber and a diamondback lying near each other on a large boulder.  I was able to take advantage of this photo opp. I then leisurely cooked dinner, prepared my camp for the night, and hung my bear bag. Bears are active in this area. I know because I saw one!  I was in my sleeping bag before dark. Right at dusk, Jason and Maple, Red Eye, Boomer,  and Skywalker arrived.  Gravity showed up a bit later.  We are all poised to head into Bear Mountain tomorrow. My plan for tomorrow is to resupply at the AT Grill (and camp store) and then spend the night in my tent at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. I was already planning my comments for when I took photos of the two bears in the zoo, but now that will be unnecessary, as I have finally actually seen one of their wild cousins. It has been another wonderful day.