Be Outside

On to the net day! This was my warm up loop for the hike filled afternoon. It's a pretty neat trail with signs along the way with information about this history of the area with the coal industry. Also, more giant rocks!

After the storm, I decided to take a last minute walk on this loop around what used to be Browns Farm. It was pretty short, but neat! Some of the foundation is there along the trail. The most scenic part was how the last little bit of sunlight was coming through the clouds and it made the wet leaves and plants glisten.

For the last hike of the day after summiting Cat Rocks, and after taking a quick dip, I headed to the Gateway Trail. I started on the Thurmont side nearest town. After walking through a really pretty field, the trail goes into the woods and actually got a tiny difficult. I am not sure if it was steep because it was actually steep or I was just tired. I haven't hiked like this since the Shinnies back in May, plus it was hot and humid. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish the loop, thunder was getting close so I decided to turn back and call it a day.

Attached to the south of Catoctin Mountain Park is Cunningham Falls State Park. I decided to tackle the trail that lead to Cat Rocks which I was really excited for. I parked in a small lot across the street from the trailhead and immediately the trail went up for a pretty steep climb. It wasn't super tough, and got to a gradual climb after a little. I passed by a scenic open area with power lines right before I hit the rocks. It's a bit of a scramble to get to the top but, wow, what a view! Afterwords, I took a dip in the lake by the parking lot. Much needed after the hot day!

After I did hog rock, from the same parking lot, I headed out for the Blue Ridge Vista. The trail was relatively easy, and the view was ok. More big rocks that were inviting to climb on. You could continue the trail we were on to Wolf Rocks and Chimney Rocks, but I wanted to save myself for the rest of the week so I took the connector back to the road. From there I road walked back to the car which was pretty scenic in itself. The way the road curved madden very picturesque area.

For my first hike of the day I decided to do the shorter and easier loop to Hog Rock. There wasn't much to the trail besides some giant rocks and a little view. Good way to stretch your legs. Some people take the more challenging route from the Falls Nature Trail, but since I was pressed for time, and hiking all day, I decided this view was going to be better via the loop. Amazing hike though!

After dinner, just as the sun started setting I decided to do the Deerfield Nature Trail. Just like the other trail from earlier that day, the trail head was right in our campground. Since it was getting dark it made for a super spooky hike. After I dd the short loop, I walked over to the sawmill near the trail and read all of the historic information. The night was really awesome too since I was the only person in the whole campground! A pretty awesome first day in the park!

First day here in a new park! After arriving at the Owens Creek Campground, we decided to hike along the horse trail that goes right past my campground out to the remote Adirondack Shelters. The trail was pretty buggy, but the trail wasn't super steep, just a gradual climb. The shelters were pretty neat, we sat in them for a while for a little water break. The woods were so quiet, and peaceful. Good hike to start off the trip!

The original plan was to hike the whole Stirling Ridge Trail, but I didn't feel like dealing with the hassle of getting back to my car so I decided to do this loop instead. I started at the trailhead off of the Greenwood Lake Turnpike. The Stirling Ridge Trail is also a part of the Highlands Trail so both markers are on the trees. The first mile was pretty easy, you go past a lot of the old Ironworks buildings that are at the state park. After a while it got really overgrown and you can tell no one has been up there in quite some time. The way up to the summit was pretty easy, only one rock scramble that was really easy to navigate. The view isn't super spectacular either, but it's a still a view. At this point you are out of Long Pond Ironworks State Park and into Tranquility Ridge. After a while you get to the NJ/NY state line and officially in Stirling Forest State Park in New York. I went west on the Lake to Lake Trail which was pretty muddy, but manageable. Lastly, I got onto a connector trail back to NJ that lead me to Jennings Hollow Trail. Technically this trail has a loop too, but I just followed the right side of the loop for this hike. You come across a rope bridge that really doesn't need to be there, the rocks are big enough to hop over. I followed the trail south until I met up with the Sterling Ridge/Highlands Trail to complete my loop. Afterwords I went over to an undisclosed swimming hole where I jumped into the water a few times before heading back to my car. It was good to get one last hike in before my trip to Maryland next week!

I started on the Horseback Riding Trail that has that abandoned house along the way, which I stuck my head in and hilariously enough, it has some natural AC or something because it was really cool in there. I then walked over to the Nature Center and did the Rachel Horne trail that eventually intersects with the Red Trail. I got on the White Trail which was pretty overgrown but I managed to get through it. I then realized why I didn't see any information on these small trails because the Green Trail was basically impassable, and the Blue Trail was completely closed off. Even though my hike was kind of a wash, there was a few pretty moments and the pre-hike lunch was really nice.

I took a break from hiking in the woods and wanted to take a little day trip while incorporating a small hike. I lived in South Jersey since 2006 and I have never been to Barnegat Lighthouse so it was time for a visit. There is a small 0.2 mile trail at the park which was pretty neat. It was like stepping into a totally different place it didn't even feel like the beach! After, I walked along to paved path on top of the rocky sea wall against the waves which was neat as well. Also did the climb to the top of the lighthouse where the view was sick! At the visitor center you can get a little certificate for climbing, I'm such a nerd. Lastly I grabbed lunch at Kelly's Old Barney Restaurant which was delicious. Not a traditional hiking day, but this was a pretty awesome walk, I had to post it.

After a hot weekend on the AT, a much needed south jersey hike was ok for me. I decided to try a hike in Belleplain which is always a toss up. It rained really bad the evening before so I knew the trail was going to be puddle city either way. Sure enough I was bushwhacking half the time around giant pools of water. I feel like a lot of the time in Belleplain, the trails are never really maintained, and these were on of those times. The trail just randomly ended at the end of this Nursery where there was supposed to be a road, according to the map but it ended up being private property. Anyway, I walked it to the main road and back up the dirt road to my car. It was still a really nice day out for a hike in the Pines!

I was hoping that a breeze would at least cool me off over night but unfortunately, nothing. I got up slowly and started off on the trail. I know the day prior had minimal views, but just within three miles it was view after view, including Table Rock! I was going to go right to my car where I parked in Duncannon, but the heat was just too much, I got off at Peters Mountain Rd. It made more sense for my next chunk anyway. Despite the heat, and getting bluffed by a big kitty, the weekend out on trail was much needed. Met so many awesome people and had a great time. Back to NJ for now!

I woke up at the ass crack of dawn to get some mileage in before the heat started to get bad. It took only 10 minuets after getting started for the bugs to swarm, mind you it was only 7:15am. I knew the water source at the next shelter was a hike within itself so I was trying to be strategic with my water as well today, the spring at the Rausch Gap Shelter was the best though! I stopped at the yellow springs campsite and signed the trail register. I actually drank most of my water by then, but I knew there would be another water source at the next road crossing. This spot was nice because it had these stone chairs that were really cool, literally, so I pressed my sweaty back to the icy stone for a while. Moving on, I saw a lot of NOBOS along the way who I chatted with or said hey. The ridge doesn't really have many views either I came up to Clarks Valley Rd where there was a rushing creek, but better yet, Trail Magic! I stayed for a good hour and downed 3 gatorades, ate some snacks, cool off in the creek, and chatted with some other thru hikers and the awesome trail angels. After I was rested and feeling good, I tackled the climb up the next mountain which wasn't as bad as I thought. I also hit Kitner View which was not spectacular, but a view nonetheless. I got to the Peters Mountain Shelter at a good time and got a spot in the loft of the shelter. I have never seen so many people in and around an AT shelter ever! it was amazing to talk and connect with so many hikers. It as a long and extremely hot day, but another big chunk done!

Despite the fact of the excessive heat warning this past weekend, it was time for me to another chunk of the AT southbound in Pennsylvania. I took my time driving tor Duncannon and once I got there it was already 7:30. I left my car in town and by the time my ride came and dropped me off at Swatara Gap it was 8:15 so I knew I was going to have to hike in the dark, which never bothers me. I walked through the fields leading up to the mountain just as the sun was setting, so magical! I started my way up to the ridge and it got dark pretty quickly. I passed a group of hikers at a campsite where I should have just stayed, but I was determined to get to the shelter. Hiking in the dark obviously you see the glowing eyes of deer and other small animals. That night was also the Strawberry Moon and it was SO SCENIC! I could see it through the trees as I walked along the ridge. I was hiking along when all of sudden out of nowhere this either large Bobcat , mountain lion, im not too sure came out of no where and half bluff charged me and ran off. It was about the size of a German Shepard dog, I don't want to say it was a mountain lion, but I am not too sure if bobcats get that big. Either was, I think I just spooked it, but it definitely spooked me and I was literally shaking the whole rest of the way to th shelter. I went through this one part before Rausch Gap where the old town used to be, but now is just this huge swamp. I finally got into the shelter area at 10:15 where I was a red light of a headlamp, alas, PEOPLE! I finally felt safe and told some people about my encounter. They told me it was a mountain lion but I am still unsure. I set up my tent and crashed since the adrenaline rush came down. A memorable night from the sunset, to the moon, to the giant kitty attack.

After my hike in Kittatinny where I locked 6 different trails in a day, I wanted to just do a simple loop instead of trying to piece a whole bunch of trails in one day. I also wasn't able to get up to North Jersey for some decent elevation hikes so I decided to do a trails that has been on my radar but I definitely left on the back burner, Mount Misery Trails. It was the only trail I had left to complete in Brendan T Bryne. I started on the red trail, which is the Cranberry Trail and then headed up Mount Misery Trail that way. You hit the abandoned Cranberry Bogs first going that way, and the little bridge near the beaver dams, those parts are always scenic. After that it was snaking through the woods until the part where you turn around near the Pinelands Camp. It was a straightaway for a good while through the pines. The trail intersects with the Lebanon Trail (Orange) and the Glassworks Trail (Green) until coming back around Pakim Pond. It was really hot that day so I decided to take a quick shower at the campground before heading home.

Finally back in a NJ state park for a hike! I wanted to go back here to Kittatinny Valley to knock off a big chunk of trails were around 1 mile or less. I started on the Glacier Trail. The trailhead is actually right next to the Andover Airport. It hugs the New Wawayanda Lake for a while before turning to bring you back down to the park entrance. I walked up the road and hit the hemlock trail that winded me through the woods. The raccoon trail put me behind the parks headquarters which was really pretty. The explorer trail was a road walk for a while and then puts you in a meadow on the other side of the park entrance from the Glacier trail. Next, I took the limestone trail south down through more thick green forests to the Sussex Branch trail where I finally hit the Andover Junction Trail to bring me back to where I started. The weather was cloudy and muggy, but the rain held out until the last mile of my hike where it poured rain so had. Six different trails all in one shot. Definitely need to get back to NJ for a hike. Hikes in different places are so exciting but NJ will always be my favorite place to hike.