The Second Annual Leave No Hiker Behind Winter Trek

[cmoulder]

I'll be getting there later than that on Friday, I have to get my son to daycare before I can hit the road. I'm mostly playing it by ear as far as when I get there and where I park.

No worries, just give me a rough idea and I will tailor my route accordingly. Lotsa options! I'll pm with cell #.

[lunatic]

Hi all, sorry so late in the game but I've been hiking up in Vermont and missed much of this thread. I was going to be heading back down to NYC on Friday but I would love to spend a couple nights in Harriman with fellow WBers.

[LIhikers]

Hi all, sorry so late in the game but I've been hiking up in Vermont and missed much of this thread. I was going to be heading back down to NYC on Friday but I would love to spend a couple nights in Harriman with fellow WBers.

You're certainly welcome to join us. So far the plan is to spend Friday night at the Fingerboard Shelter, Saturday night at the Bald Rocks shelter, and then hit the Sunday brunch at the Bear Mountain INN. During that feast we'll decide about Sunday night.
Are you familiar enough with the park to find your way? There is no set time for arrival, everyone just gets there when they can.

[coach lou]

No worries, just give me a rough idea and I will tailor my route accordingly. Lotsa options! I'll pm with cell #.

How did your snowpack survive the rain?

[cmoulder]

How did your snowpack survive the rain?

With the warm weather, it ain't lookin' good... and some rain tomorrow.

Looking at the timing, however, the forecast is for no freezing again until Friday night (17°F) but fortunately remaining below freezing thru later in the day Sunday, which is good for us. At this point I'd still say microspikes are a good idea. Friday could be a real muck-fest until the temp drops.

[coach lou]

With the warm weather, it ain't lookin' good... and some rain tomorrow.

Looking at the timing, however, the forecast is for no freezing again until Friday night (17°F) but fortunately remaining below freezing thru later in the day Sunday, which is good for us. At this point I'd still say microspikes are a good idea. Friday could be a real muck-fest until the temp drops.

I agree.............

[lunatic]

Sounds good, and yes i know park pretty well. Looking forward to it. Thanks!

You're certainly welcome to join us. So far the plan is to spend Friday night at the Fingerboard Shelter, Saturday night at the Bald Rocks shelter, and then hit the Sunday brunch at the Bear Mountain INN. During that feast we'll decide about Sunday night.
Are you familiar enough with the park to find your way? There is no set time for arrival, everyone just gets there when they can.

[LIhikers]

Sounds good, and yes i know park pretty well. Looking forward to it. Thanks!

Ok, see you there!

[cmoulder]

I did the recon hike today and the snow is completely gone and virtually zero ice as well. It was pretty muddy, in fact. People can use their own judgement concerning microspikes, but I'm not taking them. Even if everything I saw today froze solid as is, it would still be easy IMO to negotiate around the occasional ice patch. The largest patch of ice I saw was at Times Square!

The Fingerboard shelter roof was completely replaced and looks great. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the woods road they used to bring in the material, although the muddy ruts will naturally improve come spring and summer. As for springs, the one down the hill from the shelter is very reliable for water collection. And many of the smaller streams are also running.

I made a dayhike of it and also went down to Bald Rocks shelter, which is not nearly as nice as Fingerboard shelter... it is not as roomy and there is no wood floor in it.

fingerboard02.jpg fingerboard03.jpg 20170112_133522.jpg times_square.jpg

[coach lou]

I did the recon hike today and the snow is completely gone and virtually zero ice as well. It was pretty muddy, in fact. People can use their own judgement concerning microspikes, but I'm not taking them. Even if everything I saw today froze solid as is, it would still be easy IMO to negotiate around the occasional ice patch. The largest patch of ice I saw was at Times Square!

The Fingerboard shelter roof was completely replaced and looks great. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the woods road they used to bring in the material, although the muddy ruts will naturally improve come spring and summer. As for springs, the one down the hill from the shelter is very reliable for water collection. And many of the smaller streams are also running.

I made a dayhike of it and also went down to Bald Rocks shelter, which is not nearly as nice as Fingerboard shelter... it is not as roomy and there is no wood floor in it.

fingerboard02.jpg fingerboard03.jpg 20170112_133522.jpg times_square.jpg

Thank You, Sir

[Malto]

I am now a definite. Packed up and ready to roll. Should be a Fingerboard at dark if everything goes as planned. Will be coming back after brunch. Look forward to seeing everyone. Weather is a dramatic improvement over forecast from a couple of days ago. Could be doing some cowboy camping!

[1azarus]

Hey all, I am glad to see your weather looks mild for a change, and will miss being with you. I sure hope to see see you next year!

[LIhikers]

Let the fun begin!

See ya'll on Saturday.

[Glogg]

SNAFU here at my place, but I hope to join in on Saturday at Bald Rocks.

-Glogg

[jeffmeh]

Have fun out there!

[Kerosene]

Enjoy everyone. One of these days I will arrange it so I can be out east over MLK Day and join you.

[Just Bill]

No go for me... still at work and have to work tomorrow.

have fun- cheers!

[cmoulder]

A few photos from the trip. The weather worked out really well and included a dusting of snow Saturday afternoon/evening that added a real sparkle to the landscape, although it will not be around for very long with the warm temperatures expected for at least a week. It was great seeing some folks from last year and once again partaking of Couch Lou's cheesecake and also being introduced to rafe's Honey JD which has become my new fave trail beverage! And it was fantastic to meet and hike with Lunatic and to meet the awesome Malto who is in a rarefied league that is occupied by few others. Also a huge pleasure to spend some time with Another Kevin and appreciate his encyclopedic knowledge of Northeast trails. Harriman is practically my backyard but AK knows ten times more about it than I do, that's for sure!

AFAIK only LIHikers (Paul and Kathy) were the only ones hitting the trail after Sunday brunch at Bear Mtn Inn and were planning to camp Sunday night at Brien Shelter.\

My pooch Cyrus posing on the stream near Pine Mtn Swamp. No snow at all and plenty of water in many running streams.
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Sunrise Saturday morning at my camping spot near Fingerboard Shelter
MLK2017-02.jpg

Another Kevin, Elf, Coach Lou (green puffy, back to camera!) and Malto at Fingerboard shelter Saturday morning.
MLK2017-03.jpg

Elf, AK and Lunatic on the hike out Sunday morning
MLK2017-04.jpg

Lunatic, Elf and AK enjoying the light dusting of snow... it won't be around long, but we made the most of it!
MLK2017-06.jpg

[ScareBear]

Love the dog! He's like "And my Human made me wear my bed! And my food! &$^$*#!!!!"

[cmoulder]

LOL but not to worry... he's 65 lb and his total pack weight was 5.4 lb!