As of a week or so ago the spigot was not working. Most of last summer from Aug on I hauled water up to the shelter. the water from the house is really only practical if you are a SoBo otherwise you are talking .7 down the hill and .7 back up.
As of a week or so ago the spigot was not working. Most of last summer from Aug on I hauled water up to the shelter. the water from the house is really only practical if you are a SoBo otherwise you are talking .7 down the hill and .7 back up.
Anybody know how the water sources in this area have been recently?
Yes, I am in Ridgefield, grew up here and never left.
I was thinking of going to Pioneer Shelter tomorrow night to enjoy the first chilly night of the season. We haven't had any real rain for a while now and was wondering how the stream was flowing.
I would just haul it up from the purple house at the bottom of the hill just to be safe. The small stream up there tends to go dry more often than not. I think that they still have a sign on the small fence by the spigot. The house would be to your left if you are facing trail south. Also it is pretty picked over for wood but if you grab a few big pieces as you make the turn off from the trail to the shelter you should find it pretty easy.
I was there on 3/21/09 and the stream was running strong.
The shelter was in excellent condition. It rained the night before, so the area in front was a bit muddy. There were a few loose roof shingles underneath, so we spread them out as a "door mat". Before we left, we put them back underneath.
There is a picnic table with attached benches and 2 other loose benches. There's a fire ring in front of the shelter and we emptied out the ashes and charcoal and scattered them far from the shelter. There's also a small bow saw hanging on a nail on the side of the shelter. The blade is dull but works well enough.
The privy is in excellent condition.
There are a few tent sites on the left side facing the shelter and further left, down the hill 20 yards, or so, several more.
All in all, a very nice experience. A big Thank You to the maintainers!
Don't take anything I say seriously... I certainly don't.
Did you see if there was still any wood left under the shelter? Not sure when I'll get back up there might be a few days.
Yep, a pile of small diameter wood... didnt' really pay attention to exactly how much was there, but it looked like a fair amount. I don't think anyone stayed there on Saturday night, since the weather on Saturday seemed to keep people mostly off the trail.
Don't take anything I say seriously... I certainly don't.
Ok thanks I'll try to get up there before this weekend.
Great job maintaining the shelter and good to meet you Sunday evening.
Glad you had a good hike. Remember the train runs all year round so when the rat race is a bit too much head for the hills. Give me a shout next time you head up this way and who knows maybe Hank and I will shake loose to hike with you for the day.
A bear was sighted on 5/25 not too far from the Telephone Pioneer shelter. Please make sure to hang all food away from the shelter and tenting area and use proper bear bagging procedures. A bear was also seen with in 1/4 mile of the Wiley shelter as well so they are appearing to be more active this year than in past years. A small bit of prevention can keep this from becoming an issue and instead make it special out door experience.
Stayed over night here 25 Sept. Stream dry. Water at purple house at west side of Dutchess County 20/West Dover Road (walk down the driveway, the spigot is on one of the posts of the metal fence to the right, a few paces past the gate in the fence). It's a steep 0.7 from West Dover Rd. Bring a train schedule. It's fun to listen to the whistles echo off the sides of the valley and identify the trains. It's a nice walk from the shelter trail/AT junction north (ALDHA south) to Cat Rocks where you'll have a great view of the valley and plenty of opportunities to collect fire wood. A local guy who gave me a lift from the train station said the rocks are named after mountain lions that roam the area, not kitties. But he said the mountain cats are not active lately. I saw nothing bigger than the geese that went honking over the shelter site.
Good thing to know that the shelter stream is dry right now. I hope that the rain due in tomorrow will get it up and going again. Will try to keep it posted at the road crossings about stream.
Spent the night Saturday the 8th, the stream is running fast and clear. We tented up above the shelter to the right if you are look at the shelter. there are some spots a bit higher than the privy that are perfectly level.
There were some young 20's in the shelter for the weekend whom were polite and quiet but burned a lot of green wood (lots of smoke) I got the impression they are there often.
No trash other than theirs (which looked like they were planning to pack out) and hte privy is in great shape. Was hoping Mr. Sasquatch would make an appearnce but it was not to be
~Christy
Often Accused, Often Guilty but Seldom Guilty of What I am Accused.