Saturday, December 10, 2011
My original plan was to spend half the day at Stokes State Forest and half at High Point State Park. But because I missed a trail, I ended up going further into the forest, and by that point, turning around wouldn't leave me much time to go to High Point. So I just kept on going.
I started off around ten or ten-thirty in the morning at the Culver's parking lot, off of Upper North Shore Road (if you need a trail map or to use restroom, they're located at the Park Office on Coursen Road.) I followed the One-Way Road to the Tower Trail, to the Appalachian Trail, all the way to Sunrise Mountain. The One-Way Road is currently closed to vehicles, and will be until two bridges, destroyed during Hurrican Irene, are fixed. The Tower Trail is an insane hike once you hit the half-way point. Not only is the path rocky, but at points I was actually walking up huge boulders. The Appalachian trail was also pretty consistently rocky. I was very glad to be wearing my steel-tipped shoes. Otherwise I would have stubbed my toes multiple times. These trails are not for the weak of heart.
Today was a beautiful December day for a hike, albeit chilly. My walk was incredibly peaceful; the colors of the wind, rustles of the leaves as I stepped, and a few stray birds were the only sounds I heard. My favorite parts of the journey were standing at three summits. First, when I took the Appalachian trail up to a summit, before realizing I went the wrong way and had to descend. Second, at the top of the Tower Trail. And third, at Sunrise Mountain. It doesn't matter how difficult a climb may be. Whenever I reach the top and look out onto the earth, that view makes it all worth it. I just need to remember these places next summer; it seems like the perfect place to read, have a picnic or just break out and dance.
I made it to the top of Sunrise Mountain, and still hadn't encountered any hikers on my path. The only people I saw were hunters at ground level. As I was looking out into the distance on one side of Sunrise Mountain, I was startled by a sound. Fortunately, it was only a person- still no bear encounters. It was perfect timing for some human interaction. After hiking alone for three straight hours, some conversation was definitely welcomed. My new hiking friend was even generous enough to drive me back to my car, rather than letting me hike back all the miles I went through. As we drove out from his parking spot, we saw about six hunters pulling a dead black bear on a sled. The poor little guy looked so small for a bear. I've never seen a black bear up close, so I suppose I don't have much of a reference point, but the bear looked like the size of a large dog. That was my only sighting of a black bear today. At least I didn't have to worry about a confrontation, right?
By the time I returned to my car, it was approaching three o'clock. Since dusk was less than two hours away, I decided to drive to Stony Lake to check it out before I began to head home. Apparently the lake is open for swimming during the summertime, but I saw one area that didn't look too friendly for swimming. Or, at least for someone who's used to swimming in oceans and pools, and not lakes with plant-life clearly growing in them.
There are a few benefits to hiking in the winter: no bugs, no ticks, no snakes, fewer bears (or so I assume). Plus, if there were bears, at least there's no foliage to hide behind. That being said, that could also be bad for me...
There are two more parks in the Delaware Water Gap area that I need to get to: High Point State Park and Worthington State Forest. Another day, though my next trip might not be until January. Depends on how willing I am to squeeze in a day.
Here is the link for my pictures: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150512569455260.424326.753450259&type=1&l=46a67c9c58
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