Date: 2014-06-22
From: Hemlock Springs Campsite

To: Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 18.0

Another nice day for hiking. The humidity hasn't climbed too high yet, and for this time of year it's not too hot. I sweat a lot but it could be much worse. Since we crossed the Hudson River the trail has gotten easier. My theory is that west of the river the AT cuts across the ridges from west to east. Up and down the north/south glacial carved profile. Just a theory. Now the ups and downs are not so sharp. Hiking is gentler. Just three miles into the day the AT goes right past the Appalachian Market. It's really just a gas station with a deli. I spent an hour there, having breakfast from the deli and picking up a limited food resupply. Sharp Knife, Hiccup, Rerun, Bear, and Radio soon arrive as well. Sharp Knife and Hiccup want to go into New York City. A trail angel shows up to offer them a ride to a grocery store for a major resupply and a ride to the train station. I don't know if they left for NYC or not. I resumed my hike. I'm confident I'll see them up the trail anyway. We've been leapfrogging each other since the Grayson Highlands in southern VA. I feel great today. My feet feel good. The trail feels good. I could easily go for a 20 plus mile day. But I decide to keep it to 18. Take some long breaks. Visit with people along the way. Enjoy the fine day, rather than pump out the miles. Likely I'll never do 20 plus mile days again. Soon the profile will make this impossible for me anyway. I'm not a spring chicken. This state park is listed as .2 off the trail. It seems longer, but they're still working on the connecting trail. The signs on the AT for the park emphasize the concession stands. They know hikers and their hunger. The stands were closed when I got here. And once at the park it's a bit of a hike to the camp sites. But they're trying to accommodate hikers. Three tent areas are reserved for AT hikers. Mosquitoes. They got bad as I hiked the two miles up the side of this lake to the park turn off. Clouds of them surrounded me. I hiked fast, trying to keep ahead of them. At difficult sections I had to slow down and a wave of mosquitoes would wash over me. Ugh. I'm sweating buckets. They were ferocious as I set my tent up. Finally, after my shower, I spray on some DEET and am able to eat my sandwich from this morning's deli in peace. As long as one has an exit plan to trump the mosquitoes they won't drive you insane. I'm here with Rerun, Bear, and Radio. Jason, a past thru hiker doing a 700 mile NJ to Canada up the Long Trail, is at another site. Two other section hikers are in the middle site. I'll be saying goodbye to my trail grand daughters, Bear and Radio, tomorrow. It's noisy here, with a road just through the trees. And some street lights shine on my tent site. The AT is often within traffic noise now. I've pretty much stopped noticing it. There's lots of road crossings. In fairness I think the trail has been well planned to avoid as much "civilization" as possible through this populous region. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is always working to preserve the wilderness experience. I do enjoy that the occasional deli is within reach of the AT. Another fine day on the AT. Connecticut is coming up in about a day and a half. I'm looking forward to going home for a couple days soon, now that I've decided to take a trailcation.