View Full Version : Wawayanda Shelter - NJ
Former Admin
10-19-2002, 11:25
Info, questions, comments, experiences (good or bad) regarding - Wawayanda Shelter
Past/Present hikers - what can future hikers expect here? Have any good stories or memories from here?
Future hikers - any questions?
ez-does-it
10-21-2002, 18:02
The Wawayanda Hilton as it is called another fairly new shelter but a small one.This shelter also has an out door privy,decent table to eat at for the night and very good spots for tenting out.You will have to walk down the A.T. and then a bue blaze conecting trail to the rangers office for your water and when the office is closed there is a maintenice bld.with a water faucet to get your water so you won't need to treat your water for the night.This shelter also has a bear box for storing your food for the night. :p :p
I stayed there on 5/6/04 and it was fine. Can't add much to the above, but the privy is nothing more then a toilet seat over a hole in the woods (there is no above ground enclosure). If you get to the park office when it is open, to get your water, they have inside, clean, flush toilets.:)
Just John
Hammock Hanger
05-24-2004, 13:01
The shelter is nice. Beaware that horseback riders often us the trail on the south side of the shelter. -- I had 2 women who were stopped on the trail with their horses, smoking and got pissed when I asked if they could move off to the side. -- Later they passed me and then one of the horses "butt" was directly in front of me. This made me nervouse as I was afraid he might kick. Then he decided to "dump". When they stopped for their next cigarette, I mentioned that the AT was a foot trail. I won't bother to print some of the foul comments they spewed! -- The shelter however was very nice. Sue/HH
The walk to get water wasn't nearly as bad as I had anticipated. You walk south 1/10 mile on the AT, turn right and follow a fairly level blue blazed trail 3/10th mile to the Maintenace Bldg at the state park entrance. This was the shortest 4/10 of a mile walk for water I've ever taken and the best part was I didn't have to walk half way back down the mtn to get it. The pay phone wasn't working at the ranger's office bldg. I was there on Tuesday night 6/8 and the mosquitos were out in full force. Tented it for a good night rest.
Cin
Kerosene
09-09-2005, 23:18
Stopped by this week after deciding to drive up from Montvale after a business meeting. The shelter was in good shape, although the bear box was broken (and I seem to recall that it was when I passed through over a year ago). There don't seem to be a lot of tent sites, but there is a nice open field less than a mile north and a level flat woods road a little ways beyond that.
A few SOBO thru-hikers had passed through in recent weeks.
MarkTurtle
10-05-2005, 09:30
The bear box is still broken--no lid. Had to hang my food bag. Didn't see any bears. Lots of dirt bike noise until it got dark then extremely load cicada noise until about midnight.
About a half mile SOBO there were barricades across the trail as it leaves the dirt Wawayanda Road and enters the woods saying "Trail Closed" with arrows pointing south down the road as an "alternate route". This was on 10/2/05. After taking the alternate route, which seemed to be a 2 mile detour, I found out from a weekend jogger who I met coming and going on the detour that the route was passable as he had just jogged across it. An old iron bridge was being re-decked with wood planks. The construction was essentially done, but the trail closed signs were still up in each direction. Fear of lawsuits, I guess. Compared to some other parts of the trail, such as the climb on the west side of Wawayanda Mt, a bridge-under-repair is relatively safe.
Fireball
04-06-2006, 22:22
Ate lunch at this shelter during a blustery day hike yesterday. Very nice shelter. During lunch two large tom turkeys ran past in a hurry, I think a hunter was calling them in but I never heard a shot.
Oh yeah....the bear box is fixed....
Sam "the Pug" & I took a walk there today. Met a runner and saw a felllow walking his dog on the quiet woodland ramble that I took. I guess i missed Fireball by a day. New bear box and place nice & clean. Saw that Dan Chazin from the NY/NJ Trail Conference stopped by there over the weekend. I am out hiking on the AT in NJ & NY a good bit for the next two months on short rambles near my house. Then doing my annual section hike in Maine - 6/4 thru 6/12. Then I will start my trail angel activity to bring water and other goodies to Wildcat Shelter on a regular weekly basis thru Labor Day. So northbounders look for Sam the Pug & I starting in June.
Pole Climber
05-01-2006, 07:24
Good news I was there on 4/24/06. They have installed a new bear box.
LIhikers
01-16-2007, 17:10
I spent the night at the Wawayanda shelter on 1/14/07. The shelter was clean and in good shape. There's a picnic table around back, 2 "like new" bear boxes to the left and up a small hill, and an open air privey about 100 feet past the bear boxes. It rained for several days and the floor was dry so the roof is in good condition too. Also, room for a number of tents on each side of the shelter. Water is available from park buildings or on the AT from a stream not far south of the shelter blue blazed trail.
Spent a night there (alone) Sept. '06. No problems. It's just off the trail. I got water from the pond about 1/4 mile north (east) -- between shelter and the park HQ. It rained the night I was there. I used the bear box (it was fine) but took no notice of the picnic table or privy.
robert granrath
02-21-2008, 21:46
The Thru Hiker Handbook by Bob Mc Caw and Wingfoot have this shelter as a Right Hand turn off of the trail for a NOBO. I was up there last fall and I could swear it was a Left hand turn off of the trail for a NOBO.
Can anyone clear this up T]hanks
T BIRD:banana
It's a right turn for a nobo. The shelter can't be more than 25 yards from the trail.
It is indeed a left turn off the AT for a NOBO now. The NY-NJ Trail Conference finished the first part of a relo late last summer that moved the AT to the opposite side of the shelter - the shelter is now west of the AT.
It is indeed a left turn off the AT for a NOBO now. The NY-NJ Trail Conference finished the first part of a relo late last summer that moved the AT to the opposite side of the shelter - the shelter is now west of the AT.
Something doesn't sound right with that report. I was there Sept. '06, heading SOBO. I remember walking past the park HQ, then this swamp (http://www.terrapinphoto.com/cpg143/displayimage.php?album=6&pos=26), on the way to the shelter. HQ, swamp, shelter all to my left. Maybe I wasn't on the trail? It's been known to happen... ;)
Alligator
02-22-2008, 09:31
Something doesn't sound right with that report. I was there Sept. '06, heading SOBO. I remember walking past the park HQ, then this swamp (http://www.terrapinphoto.com/cpg143/displayimage.php?album=6&pos=26), on the way to the shelter. HQ, swamp, shelter all to my left. Maybe I wasn't on the trail? It's been known to happen... ;)Were you walking backwards again?
Johnny Thunder
02-22-2008, 10:15
It is indeed a left turn off the AT for a NOBO now. The NY-NJ Trail Conference finished the first part of a relo late last summer that moved the AT to the opposite side of the shelter - the shelter is now west of the AT.
When was the relo finished? I was there in July and the shelter was on the right-hand side of the trail. Didn't notice any signs of a relo either.
I know that in that specific area the trail travels East/West (almost perfectly so as it crosses Warwick rd) so this might add to some of the confusion.
The Thru Hiker Handbook by Bob Mc Caw and Wingfoot have this shelter as a Right Hand turn off of the trail for a NOBO. I was up there last fall and I could swear it was a Left hand turn off of the trail for a NOBO.
Can anyone clear this up T]hanks
T BIRD
I believe it is on the right hand side for a NOBO.
And the mosquito's are very bad there in the summer because of the pond that is there.
Panzer
ps if you were going NOBO and realized you just passed the shelter and then turned around, it would be on your left..
I know that in that specific area the trail travels East/West...
Yes, that's how I recall it from 2006, even without referring to the maps. So the shelter is south of the trail, though not by much.
BobS has it right. The relo completed early last fall 2007 (going southbound) is from the junction on the left of a blue trail going to the Waywayanda Park HQ and for approximately 1/2 mile beyond where the AT makes a left turn on a dirt road. It has been moved off an old eroded woods road to a parallel route in the woods to the left going southbound. As a result when going northbound, where the shelter was once to the right of the AT on a 100 yard spur path uphill it is now when going northbound about 50 yards to the left on a spur which is mostly level. The shelter has not been moved, the AT and its spur has!
So the AT is no longer the dirt road just N of the shelter... How does the relo deal with that swamp? Seems it would have to pass south of it, and loop back up to the shelter.
daveoleary
04-16-2008, 00:11
I am heading north for a backpacking trip later this week. I need a place to stay on Thursday night in/around northern NJ. I remember that the Wawayanda shelter is really close to the ranger station; but it has been about 3 years since I was there. Thanks to all who posted about the trail rerouting.
My question is whether the road into the ranger station is gated off at night during weekdays (especially now when the campgrounds probably aren't open yet). I would just like to drive in sometime in the evening, walk the short distance into the shelter and stay for the night, then walk out in the morning. I figure it won't be very crowded at this time of year. If you know anything about the parking / gate situation there, please let me know.
Thanks!
daveo
I grew up near Wawayanda, and I believe the main park gate closes to vehicles after dark and the ranger station gate is closed after working hours. Sorry I can't be of more help, but here's a picture of the shelter instead!
http://people.alfred.edu/~rwt2/3.JPG (http://people.alfred.edu/%7Erwt2/3.JPG)
I have some more pictures from Wawayanda if you are interested.
LIhikers
04-16-2008, 06:54
Be warned, the rangers won't let you park overnight, or at least they wouldn't let me and the wife a couple of years ago, around this time of year. We drove around and found a different road that that dead-ended at the park land and left our car there. A day and a half later when we got back to the car the rangers were there checking out the car and getting ready to leave a summons on our windshield. I got a 30 minute lecture about why I shouldn't have parked there and they never did write the summons. As it turns out one of them was the same ranger that told us we couldn't leave the car in the parking lot, oh well.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/9/0/8/7/wawayanda.jpg
Stayed at the Wawayanda Hilton overnight into 10/13/2008.
Northbounders do hang a right onto the Shelter Trail.
The ranger station has a 2-way butterfly-valve spigot right outside of the visitor center. The bathroom next to it generally opens at 8am. It was closed by 6:30pm.
Privy is a poop box about 100 feet from the Picnic Table. I got to wave hello to my still-eating friends while doing #2. I guess when there's more leaves on the tree it's less visible.
2 bear boxes still in good condition near the picnic table. Some good tenting sites down behind the shelter.
Cut my leg up on that rock right out front goin out to pee at night.
In mid-october, there were plenty of Cicadas, distant ATVs and off-season shotgun blasts to lull me to sleep.
Cookerhiker
10-14-2008, 13:27
..... I was there on Tuesday night 6/8 and the mosquitos were out in full force. Tented it for a good night rest.
Cin
I was there 8 days after you (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=69297)and had the exact same experience. Along with the 'squitos, the humidity was overpowering - my bandana had dried in the sun but after leaving it hanging in the shelter rafters overnight, it was wet the next morning. Laying on top of my sleeping bag, I never stopped sweating all night.
The following day produced a drenching thunderstorm after which I decided to come back to hike at a nicer time of year.
I liked the shelter though and I didn't find the walk to the water inconvenient.
Time To Fly 97
10-14-2008, 14:20
Hammocked behind this shelter over the weekend. Walk to the water was no problem. I parked on Warwick Turnpike at the AT crossing and my car's rear window got smashed by a drive-by rock throw. $800 - sucks.
BEWARE - DON'T PARK HERE OVERNIGHT!!!
Happy hiking!!
TTF
Northbounders do NOT hang a right onto the Shelter Trail, despite what I just said.
Crap, I need to Donate so I can edit my post!
Northbounders turn Left.
Soutbounders turn Right.
I NoBo 95% of the time... The one time I came by this I was going SoBo.
Camped here in early May while doing a weekend section from State Line Trail (Greenwood Lake) to NJ94 in Vernon. Please note that this is the only legal camping spot on the trail between Wildcat Shelter (first shelter in NY NOBO) and Pochuck Mountain Shelter, which are 23.6 miles apart; people doing long hikes in the area should plan accordingly. Shelter was nice, although small; probably sleeps about 5 max. Has a good picnic table out front and a shelf around the outside for parking stuff. The walk to the park office for water is a bit long, but flat, so not too much of a problem. Be careful with the spigot outside the bathrooms; it goes from trickle to torrent in a short distance. The privy is uncovered and within a fairly short distance of the shelter. I was fortunate and was able to sneak in #2 early in the morning before most of the Boy Scouts who were sharing the place with us woke up. If you go to the office for water, try to go there if the bathrooms are open. Speaking of Boy Scouts, the available tent spaces around the shelter fill up pretty quick if there are a lot of people. We got pretty much the last reasonable one close to the shelter, and had to place the tent carefully to avoid both rocks and being too close to a bush to get out. If the area around the shelter is full, you might want to check alongside the access path closer to the main trail; it seemed like there were some more spots back there. There are two bear boxes. The one was secured with a "clip" much like those people use to attach key chains to their belts; that seemed OK. The other one was closed only with a hairpin-like thing, which frankly, a bear probably could dislodge if it whacked at it with its paw for a while. Since the Boy Scouts had already taken up most of the first box, I had to stick some stuff in the second; fortunately, we didn't have any incidents during the night. For being fairly close to the road and other civilized areas, it was a pretty quiet night. The relocation of the trail in the area of the shelter is quite a nice path through the hemlocks, and probably an improvement over the old road.
[quote=Totem;710196]http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/9/0/8/7/wawayanda.jpg
...Cut my leg up on that rock right out front goin out to pee at night. .../quote]
I hate that rock.
Panzer
You now have an enclosed and covered privy to do your business in. So no more grunting and looking out and exposing yourself. I don't know when this new outhouse was installed but it is located about 50 yards down the old spur trail going north from the shelter. This used to connect to the AT.
GalHikingTheGap
04-07-2010, 19:06
Wondering what the 'skeeters are going to be like near Wawayanda Shelter, tossing up whether it's worth bringing the tent for. Opinions?
L
sasquatch2014
04-07-2010, 19:44
Keep in mind that between there and the next shelter is a detour due to the bridge over one of the streams being out. I saw that on the NYNJ trail conference website.
I don't know who it is up there I just got back from 2 days down by the Water Gap and the black gnats or black flies are out so bring deet.
SawnieRobertson
04-08-2010, 13:18
In some ways it seems unconsionable to take up this much space, but I've decided to do the unconsionable, especially after looking at those wonderful pictures of Waywayanda Shelter. I feel as though I am sitting right there, chatting with the students and later with the young couple.
One of the students BTW came over and sat beside me, hanging his long legs from the shelter floor as I did. He asked if it were really true that there are people all up and down the AT who come out and paint those white blazes. He was astonished to have me confirm what his leader had apparently told them.
Anyway, I was hiking sporatically on the AT with the intention of helping people become aware of myasthenia gravis, a disease which had taken a childhood friend that winter. Griz is my big brown Standard Poodle. She was along because no one would take care of her for me. The fact that it was 2003 should tell you why we were constantly seeking higher ground.
MG's 2003
Appalachian Trail Journal
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Destination: Wawayanda Shelter
Starting Location:
Today's Miles: 5.50
Trip Miles: 12.80
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My daughters would give anything for me to be the way I am on the trail when I am at home. There, I save everything - and eventually do need much of it. Here, I get rid of, get rid of, often to my detriment.
This morning I was down to bare bones with the condemned excess either on its way to Boulder or left for my host and their guests. Still, my pack was clearly a 900-pound stone on my back. During this extended unfortunate layover, both my pack and I had gained weight.
We arrived at the Enterprize office about 8:15 am. Chris who works there, kindly took me to the Highway 94 trailhead, helped me get my pack "just right," and saw me off at 9:00.
It was sunny and warm. Griz and I enjoyed disappearing into the deep, dark forest of boulders that form the floor of the base of Wawayanda Mountain. Chris explained that Wah-wah-yahn-dah Mountain is pronounced "Way-way-yonder." (Hmmm.)
We climbed and climbed the boulder-strewn path upwards for about three hours. It was as I like it - cool, verdant, challenging.
Then we were at the top. We signed the register which is within an old rural mailbox, hanging from a tree.
'Walk On' from Alabama appeared suddenly - quietly. We chatted about the southern hospitality of the northerners whom we have encountered. He said that he'd heard that The Flying Scotsman is off trail with giardia. So goes the trail grapevine.
We continue. It became hot. The trail was rocky. We found a boulder that was most pleasing - flat, with a tree next to it on which I could prop my swelling feet above my thumping heart.
After a while we moved on, but the hot was turning to warm, so it was better hiking.
Lunchbox appeared about 3:30. He rushed on, saying that he had 10 more miles to go today.
We finally found Wawayanda Shelter but not before my feet had just about reduced me to tears. Such pain. I felt like I could not take another step when we finally were at its front.
There was a man there. He was about to leave. He had been there, checking out the shelter. It was Desperado!
We had a fine chat, during which I told him again and again how great his shelters are, thanks to his efforts.
Then he paled as he looked down the trail. In dismay he said "Look at that!"
I did. There must have been 20 inner city boys walking up the trail towards "my shelter." The numbers reduced to 10 or so when I saw the two leaders. Someone was there to keep things in hand - hopefully.
Griz growled and barked, but she soon got over it.
All evening they were all over the place. My tent seemed to be dead center.
When they went for water though, they took my empty bottles and filled them. There is no greater gift than water.
Sawnie Robertson
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
Destination: Wawayander Shelter
Starting Location:
Today's Miles: 0.00
Trip Miles: 12.80
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been awake since 6:30. It rained consistently all night. How I missed some of the things that were on their way to Boulder! My puffball jacket, my warmer sleeping bag, the Ridgerest that didn't come.
My summer 40 degree bag has lost its zipper. I found that out as I lay on the ground only one layer of silnylon between me and it. Griz was in the same predicament and was shivering. I dozed off.
When I woke up, Griz was not shivering. She had moved on to my sleeping bag, leaving me some to do with as best as I could.
We worked it out. Sometimes I shivered, but most of the time neither of us did. Sleep was pretty hard to get. Then one of the freshmen all around me must have decided to get up and pee. Everyone followed, flashlights shining every which way, sometimes directly at our tent. At first I thought it was lightning.
At 6:30 I was awake and thinking I'd like to get going, but the rain was pounding down. Maybe it would clear up in an hour or so. At any rate one of the leaders had told me that they'd be leaving at 9:00. I decided to wait until they were gone to pack up.
Once up, they were all over the place, but they didn't get off until 10:30. It was still raining. The tent was soaked. We decided to stay over until this afternoon, but the weather has never cleared.
A young couple from Minnesota named Christine and Eric came through. I told her where the privy and the bear box were and how Desperado had left food in there for thru-hikers.
Apparently, she thought that the silnylon gray bag on the box was a part of the offering. She and Eric took all of my food for the next day but did leave Griz's dog food. Such needy people. Or should I think greedy?
I guess we won't be hiking to nearly Bellvale tomorrow. There are some food places up a nearby highway that may be open.
Sawnie Robertson
Thursday, May 22, 2003
Destination: Warwick, NY
Starting Location:
Today's Miles: 0.30
Trip Miles: 13.10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you know that MG affects around 10,000 people? It is, therefore, a rare but not exceptional disease. What kind of luck would cause a person to be one of the 10,000? Sometimes I almost forget to say "Thank you" for being able to wake up with choices about how I will spend my day.
This morning, however, the choices seemed few. We would have to leave the trail AGAIN.
The weather has turned completely. All night Claire and I shivered with our summer gear. I'm talking shake-shake-shake, the body's method for trying to stay warm. The temperature dropped to 35 degrees. I cannot in good conscience keep her out in this without more protection.
It is cold, overcast, and drizzling. We were told that this is forecast for the next four days too. So, we hiked in to Wawayanda State Park headquarters.
They generously provided us with a phone. (The public one outside does not work.) After so many calls, we finally were able to make arrangements to go in to Warwick. Josie's Taxi picked us up. Critter Cab took Griz to Affordable Kennel.
I also was concerned about the trail after the next four miles, since Spanky and others had warned about the footing when it is wet.
Believe me, it is wet.
I thought about the broken legs that Jean Deeds and Jan Kerns got from slippery wet rocks. I thought about having no food. I thought about the writing on the wall, for gosh sakes.
Sawnie Robertson
GalHikingTheGap
04-10-2010, 21:50
Keep in mind that between there and the next shelter is a detour due to the bridge over one of the streams being out. I saw that on the NYNJ trail conference website.
I don't know who it is up there I just got back from 2 days down by the Water Gap and the black gnats or black flies are out so bring deet.
I'm right there off Millbrook Road just south of the Delaware Water Gap NRA, and my kids from Harlem today were being driven mad by those flies as soon as the sun came out. My mate's bringing the mosquito net and I've pretreated my clothes with some pyrmethrin and pyrethrin. We'll see if that does it.
Luckily, we're heading north so the reroute won't be affecting us. Thanks dearly for the heads up! I recall that bridge being nearly out when I hiked on it last fall, it was a matter of time :(
L
emv081649
07-09-2010, 07:38
I'm going to be hiking the NJ section and then north to Bear Mtn. next month (Aug.) any info would help...
I'm going to be hiking the NJ section and then north to Bear Mtn. next month (Aug.) any info would help...
There's a shelter called wawayanda lean-to in the middle of the woods. it's got 3 sides, a roof and a floor.
Great weather this sunday, near 50° F. Parked at the Wawayanda maintenance building area (same area for h2o). Less than 1/2 mile into my hike, i stopped at the shelter to fuel up on some lunch. Shelter was nice & clean. Bear box looked to be in good shape and the privy looked fine. Here's a few pics to prove it... :)
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae357/stbob/Wawayanda/waywanda002.jpg
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae357/stbob/Wawayanda/waywanda001.jpg
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae357/stbob/Wawayanda/waywanda008.jpg
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae357/stbob/Wawayanda/waywanda007.jpg
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae357/stbob/Wawayanda/waywanda006.jpg
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae357/stbob/Wawayanda/waywanda004.jpg
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae357/stbob/Wawayanda/waywanda005.jpg
Stayed their last year . Little Prince and little Princess stayed in the shelter. I tarp out back with Disco,
Caboose, and a hanger cant remember his name. The caretaker came by while we were their.
Thom
show me the monkey
04-27-2016, 15:16
Here’s pic of the Wawayanda Hilton a couple months after we finished building it in 1990. Notice the absence of the big rock that was intentionally placed there some time after and how much smaller the tree out front was.
We built this and the Pochuck Shelter (the year before), in order to bridge the gap once known to thru-hikers as “The Void”; that area being the 50 mile shelter-less section between the High Point Shelter and the Fingerboard Shelter in NY. The Wildcat Shelter, added in 1992, was the final addition to bridging the gap, but I was not involved with that one.
I posted a mid-build pic of the Pochuck Shelter in the Pochuck section also.
34655
ChrisMek
04-22-2017, 17:53
I live quite close so I decided to Take the the pup for a quick walk from Warwick turnpike to the shelter. Everything is still in good order. Privy, bear box and picnic table all present and looking good!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170422/c7158b8915617cb30566f29a22e0f5e5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170422/7299335c7b28ddc2c813955d35f5b195.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170422/2b3d48804389733fe7ee322efc91b8d6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170422/688cf5d27f10a2ae04981a5d1ec8a4f5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170422/2f41cd8ddb5dc2431d14cada9688f160.jpg
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