Originally Posted by
Appalachian Tater
I used part of the database last week and thank you for making it available.
Here are some comments and corrections you might want to incorporate:
Mile 1329.3: I am not sure why the guide says "Highpoint Concessions" at this mile point as it is off the trail at mile 1323.4. At High Point the concession at the obelisk monument parking lot opened Memorial day weekend. They had soda, hotdogs, chips, nachos, and many kinds of ice cream desserts. There was a relatively clean restroom. I had the first two hotdogs served there this year.
Mile 1329.3: Secret Shelter: There is no dryer at the Secret Shelter this year nor was there one last year. The outdoor shower was not working this year nor was it last year. The indoor shower works great and the donkeys (brothers both named "Jake") are still vocal and it is definitely one of the most pleasant and memorable spots on the trail.
I did have the honor and pleasure of speaking to Jim Murray for a few minutes and he is obviously a fine person who loves hiking and doing kind things for others.
He pointed out that it is only a mile into Unionville from the Secret Shelter if you roadwalk and there are maps inside showing the route. This would be useful to know if going into town while staying at the shelter.
Mile 1331.0: Unionville: The correct road crossing can be identified by the concrete bridge painted orange on the ends and a dammed pond at the trailhead.
The faucets at the cemetery were not working this past week and did not appear to have been working for some time.
Horler's General store makes fantastic subs, sandwiches, hamburgers, and hotdogs and has great cold salads. They slice the sandwich meat to order and the bread and tomato and onion, etc. are of excellent quality. The hamburger was thick and the meat was also of good quality and cooked to order. There is a picnic table out back.
Another section hiker in town, Dr. Who, spoke to the town maintenance guy who said there was water and a porta-johnny in the town park. I do not know this first hand or if these services are available year 'round.
Mile 1336.3: The paragraph is confusing about the house and who owns it, making it seem as if there are two houses and water sources. I don't know who owns it now, but it can't be both the DEC and the ATC, and the house is white, not blue. There is a new faucet that has been installed that cuts off by itself.
Mile 1342.8: The water faucets at Heavenly Hill Farms are located along the fence between the porch and the parking lot. They have ice cream, shakes, soda, juice, milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, and really wonderful baked goods. They do not have ramen, Lipton's, or other hiker mainstays.
There is a small parking lot at the trailhead here.
Mile 1358.0 NY Rte 17A: no mention is made of the Bellevale Creamery, an ice-cream and soda parlor with outdoor tables and a porta-johnny just a few hundred yards West of the trail. Almost every hiker seems to stop there.