What You Missed
Summer 2026
Summer 2026
On Thursday, September 10th I wanted to get out for a hike for the my own exercise and to appease a very eager Sheena. I promised myself that I would try to get out as many days as possible this summer despite the numerous ambulance calls. I partly succeeded. I had coverage for ambulance calls from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM but had to cover from 6:00 AM to 8:30 AM. Unfortunately, we had a call early in morning in Liberty. Fortunately, the person only needed some help getting up from a fall and we returned quickly. I started to get ready at 9:30 AM with blue skies, sun and the temperature at 71 degrees. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put my gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. At 9:20 AM I put our gear in the car and Sheena in the back seat. I headed out Old Route 17 across the Flats and then took Old Route 17 and Service Road to the point where they meet Fox Mountain Road. Just after this intersection is the western parking area for the rail trail. The parking lot had no other cars parked which surprised me as it was such a nice day.
The temperature was 73 degrees under blue skies with large puffy white clouds as we began the hike at 9:53 AM. I put Sheena on her leash and we walked under the Quickway on Fox Mountain Road and crossed the bridge over a stream. We stepped over the guard rail and started out on the trail. Almost immediately we came to what was left of the trestle supports that carried the trail tracks over the stream. We started to walk up the trail to the left of the trestle and passed a blowdown that I had trimmed so that hikers could easily get around it. We walked up the trail to the top of the trestle. As we entered the shade of the trees, it immediately seemed a little cooler. The trail is rather well defined and stretches ahead for some distance. Like most rail trails it was very straight. Town of Liberty Supervisor Frank DeMayo had told me that this was state land and the town had an agreement from the state to use it during the summer. I saw no POSTED signs along the right-of-way. The hope is to connect the Parksville Rail Trail to all the sections that stretch as far as Livingston Manor. We started to walk along the trail and I noticed there was quite a bit of loud traffic on the Quickway and on Service Road! The land drops off steeply from the rail trail to the Little Beaverkill on the right. The volume of water in the stream was relatively high and I could see the water rolling over the rocks from the rain over night. On the left were some "cliffs" which were the result of the railroad cutting a path for the tracks. We continued to walk along the well-defined trail. It was a pleasant walk except for the humidity which was rather high. There were several blowdowns across the trail which we had to walk around. In other places blowdowns had been cut and pulled off the trail. There are two places along the trail where there were piles of garbage. It is hard to determine why they are there. Both piles had tarps over them which seemed to indicate someone once valued the items. Near the first pile on the right is a VW Bug down over the left side of the trail! We soon came to the gate on the trail which is odd since it is state land. No one seems to know why the gate is there or who placed it. We walked around the gate and continued on the trail.
Sheena and I set a fast pace and soon we came to a small pond on the right with a red building behind it. The building looked to be in good shape but the windows were all boarded up. The grass on the trail had been mowed which made hiking easier and ticks less likely. After hiking about 1.3 miles, we came to a driveway on the left which leads to the Sonoma Falls property. I knew this was private land and decided not to enter. I wish I could find out who owns the land and get explicit permission to walk around the property. It has been more than 13 years since I had last visited this area on a regular basis. At one time there was a campground on the property. Some local business people bought the property and built a cider mill and market. They took the time to construct some hiking trails along the stream. I remember that the falls were very nice with at least five separate drops which increased in height the farther upstream one ventured. The main building had begun to collapse and others were vandalized so the owners had recently had them torn down. The rubble had not been cleared and was an eyesore. We continued on the main trail toward Old Liberty Road and set a quicker pace. The walk along the old road was interesting as there were some impressive rock cuts on the left. The waterway on the right was moving more quickly than usual and the volume was higher. The walk was about .4 miles which was a little longer than I thought. When we arrived at Old Liberty Road, I saw that the trail actually continued straight ahead parallel to the road. I decided to explore this part of the trail on another visit. We turned around at 10:10 AM and walked back toward the car. We set a pretty fast pace on the way back and really enjoyed the fast-paced walk. Sheena and I hiked to the point where the trail came down from the rail trail to meet Fox Mountain Road. It only took a few minutes to walk out to the road, jump the guard rail, and turn left. I put Sheena on her leash to walk out to Service Road. We were back at the car at 10L45 AM having hiked 3.4 miles in 1 hours and 10 minutes. The ascent was 140 feet but it is hardly noticeable as the trail feels flat when walking. The temperature had risen to 75 degrees. I do hope the plans to connect the sections of the trails are successful!
On Tuesday, September 8th, my ambulance corps was scheduled for its biannual inspected by the NYSDOH. The inspection was to take place at 8:00 AM. Inspectors check the rigs for compliance, the restock area, and the corps' policies and records. To make matters more interesting we responded with both ambulances to two different calls at around 4:30 AM! We got both rigs back in time for the inspection which went well. I was tired from the call and the stress of the inspection but had coverage from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. I wanted to get in a hike because the forecast included no rain. I decided to go to Parksville as it is close and I knew the falls might still be high. I started getting ready at 11:10 AM with the temperature at 68 degrees on the back porch and blue skies with billowing clouds. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put my gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 11:20 AM with the skies still bright amd blue. I drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville and just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road where no cars were parked. We started out on the trail at 11:30 AM with the temperature at 68 degrees.
The first part of the trail was dry due to the direct sunlight. There was no standing water as the trail drains well. The trail was about as I expected with some areas of mud in all the usual spots. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was still high but not as high as my last trip. The water was rolling down the stream with no hint of mud. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest. We were soon at the beginning of the wooden walkway but did not stop at this area as there area has become overgrown and it is hard to get a shot. We crossed the wooden walkways and bridge which were not slippery as they were almost dry. I knew that the work the Town of Liberty crews had done on the bridge and some spots on the trail had held up under the recent rains from the storms. We came to the bridge and found that the work done to prevent erosion worked perfectly. The water coming down the stream was reduced since our previous visit and it fell over the large boulders that had been placed and was directed through the culvert. The culvert under the bridge was clear and allowing water to drain downhill. The large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crushed stone on either side of the bridge held and remained in place. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been cleared and crusher run added to replace the mud. The area was well drained with no mud or standing water. The grass from the hay that had been spread was very green and holding the soil together to prevent a mudslide. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well.
We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. As we walked toward the falls, I could hear the noise from the stream. When we came to the falls, I saw that the water level was not quite as high as last week. I took a peak at the falls from wove and then we pressed on towards Parksville. I took a moment to look at the rapids above the falls as we passed. The rest of the trail was wet with standing puddles but they were easy enough to walk around. We continued our hike through some areas of mud. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. The large dog across the stream was missing. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets us was not there and here was no loud music. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. We immediately turned around and headed back toward the car. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back. We passed the falls and continued our quick pace. We passed the mudslide and continued and I made sure that Sheena was beside me. We continued along the trail and soon were nearing the open part of the trail near the parking area. We were back at the car at 12:26 PM having walked the whole hike in 56 minutes. The temperature at the car was 70 degrees and the humidity was oppressive.
On Thursday, September 3rd, I wanted to get in a hike even though there was rain the the forecast. I had ambulance coverage from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM but I went to help on two early calls and was not home until 9:00 AM. I decided to go to Parksville as it is close and I couldn't get too wet of the showers came! I also knew the falls would be raging as there was a significant amount of rain overnight. I started getting ready at 9:00 AM with the temperature at 64 degrees on the back porch and overcast skies with ground fog. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put my gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 9:25 AM with the sky overcast with only a little blue showing. I drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville and just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road where no cars were parked. We started out on the trail at 9:35 AM with the temperature at 66 degrees.
The first part of the trail was wet but there was no standing water as it drains well. The trail was about as I expected with some areas with standing and running water and lots of mud in all the usual spots. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was a much higher than my last trip. The water was rolling down the stream with just a hint of mud. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest. We were soon at the beginning of the wooden walkway but did not stop at this area as there area has become overgrown and it is hard to get a shot. We crossed the wooden walkways and bridge which were very slippery from the rain. I knew that the work the Town of Liberty crews had done on the bridge and some spots on the trail had held up under the recent rains from the storms. We came to the bridge and found that the work done to prevent erosion worked perfectly. The water coming down the stream was reduced since our previous visit and it fell over the large boulders that had been placed and was directed through the culvert. The culvert under the bridge was clear and allowing water to drain downhill. The large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crushed stone on either side of the bridge held and remained in place. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been cleared and crusher run added to replace the mud. The area was well drained with no mud or standing water. The grass from the hay that had been spread was very green and holding the soil together to prevent a mudslide. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well.
We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. As we walked toward the falls, I could hear the noise from the stream. When we came to the falls, I saw that the water level was as high as I have ever seen it from the storms the night before. This was evident most in the rapids above and below the falls where the water level was higher and the rocks beneath covered by water. It was 9:57 AM when Sheena and I carefully worked our way down the path to the stream. The water was so high that I could not take my normal route but had to go slightly farther downstream. I took off my pack and got our the camera. I took some pictures downstream and then across the stream to the other bank. I then started to concentrate on the falls Tb taking pictures at various zoom. In some shot I focused on the falls themselves and in other emphasized the rapids in front of the falls. I ended by taking a video which captured the high water perfectly and, of course, added audio to add to the experience. I packed up and headed carefully back up the oath. I decided to take some pictures from above and dropped the pack to take out my camera. I took shots of the falls from above and then took some of the falls and the rapids. Finally, I snapped some pictures of the rapids alone. I grabbed my pack and walked to the next bench. I took a few shots of the rapids from here and then put away the camera, shouldered the pack, and headed for the Parksville end of the trail at 10:08 AM. the rest of the trail was very wet with huge standing puddles but tey were easy enough to walk around. We continued our hike through some areas of mud. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. The large dog across the stream was missing but some young children were playing alone near the steep bank. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets us was not there and here was no loud music. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. It was 10L13 AM when we headed back toward the car. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back. We passed the falls and continued our quick pace. We passed the mudslide and continued and I made sure that Sheena was beside me. We continued along the trail and soon were nearing the open part of the trail near the parking area. We were back at the car at 10:45 AM having walked the whole hike in 1 hour and 10 minutes with 15 minutes for the photography. The temperature at the car was 65 degrees and the humidity was oppressive.
On Monday, August 31 I planned to go back to Walnut Mountain to walk the cross country course with Liberty Varsity XC Coach Ashley Weintraub. I wanted her to know the course and wanted to be sure she felt it was ready to race. We agreed to meet at the main parking lot at Walnut Mountain Park at 9:00 AM. I had not walked the course in some time and assumed parts would need some maintenance. I had laid out the course ten years ago and made sure it was exactly 5K which translates to 3.1 miles or 16,404.2 feet. For the last few years the team had used the course on school grounds. This course will be unavailable this season because of some work on the school grounds. I began to get ready at 8:15 AM with the temperatures at 70 degrees with overcast skies and the threat of showers. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I made sure I had my Garmin GPSMAP 64st gps unit with me to check the length of the cross country course. I had used this unti to map the course for length but had also used a traditional wheel. I got my gear in the car and at 8:40 AM I drove out our driveway and got on the Quickway east toward Liberty. I got off at exit 100 and took Lake Street up the hill to Route 55. I drove a short distance and turned right on Walnut Mountain Road. I pulled into the main parking area at 9:00 AM. Several other cars were parked and some kids were using the playground equipment. Ashley was already waiting. I introduced her to my dog and found she also had a dog. Sheena sniffed and then largely ignored both of us for the entire walk. I put on my pack and we headed down to the XC start line below the baseball field. We walked to a tree that denotes the starting line where I set my GPS unit. Ashley took a few pictures of the start we began our walk at 9:08 AM. I was anxious to see what Ashley thought about the course.
The XC course starts along the Walnut Loop East Trail with a wide-open grassy area that allows a fair start. After about .1 miles it turns slightly to the right and enters the woods on a wide but rocky carriage road. Ashley and I started a conversation about the course, running and coaching. We saw two walkers up ahead coming toward us with two dogs. I fully expected to pull Sheena to the side of the trail to let them pass. As soon as they saw us, they turned around and rapidly walked back the way they had come! We never saw them again. The course continues downhill for about .5 miles when it turns 90 degrees to the left on the Walnut Loop North Trail. There was an exposed culvert to cross but it is cross country. This section of trail is grassy and immediately begins a gentle climb until it transitions back to gravel at .7 miles and begins a steeper climb. I pointed out some of the "features" of the course and how the runners might apply some tactics during the race. We turned left on what I thought was the course but was really a single-track for mountain bikes. We walked back out to the course and continued uphill. At .8 miles the course turns left on Vista Way which is a narrow trail rather than a carriageway. I mentioned that runners would want to get to this narrow section first to control the race. We followed Vista Way as it headed back toward the parking area crossing a small bridge over what is sometimes a stream. From the bridge the course begins a slight ascent until it breaks out of the trees at the parking lot. The mile 1 mark is right after the bridge. I told Ashley that I would try to mark the trail with paint at all the turns and at the places that might look like turns but are not! The course follows the fence line back toward the grove of trees that surrounds the pavilion. This allows spectators to see the runners and their position as they pass by. The course then turns right up the carriageway following the Mountain Overlook Trail and this is where the real work for the runners begins. The carriage path is rocky and mostly up hill from 1.25 miles to 1.8 miles although the course does level some and even descends a bit at 1.6 miles where it joins the Walnut Loop North Trail. This section is wide and easily allows runners to pass each other as they approach another narrow section. At 1.8 miles the course turns sharply to the left and ascends an unnamed trail. The trail is narrow with plenty of rocks and roots. This section is only .15 miles long but ascends at a 17% grade to the Sunset Trail. I pointed out that runners will want to beat their rivals to the beginning of this section to control the race as passing on this section would be difficult. This trail is not maintained by the Town of Liberty Parks and Recs Department although it did seems people were using it on a regular basis. Along the way there are several single track bike trails that cross the course.
At 2 miles the course turns right on the Sunset Trail which is another wide carriageway which allows runners to pass each other. The surface here is smooth and firm but it does ascend a little until it breaks out into an open area which has a nice lookout to the right. The runners will not get to see the view from the lookout as they turn sharply left at 2.3 miles on the Mountain Overlook Trail. We made the left turn onto the Mountain Overlook Trail. This section of the course is a wide but rocky carriageway that begins the runners' descent off the mountain. From 2.3 miles to 2.7 miles the runners are headed downhill on the Mountain Overlook Trail. At one time the course turned right into a field but this section had some dangerous spots and I noticed it was still not maintained. I decided to have the course simply continue on the Mountain Overlook Trail. At 2.7 miles the runners turn right to stay on the Mountain Overlook Trail back to the grove of trees near the pavilion. The runners pass through a gate and then veer right to head to the finish line on the Walnut Loop South Trail. After turning to the right near the playground, the runners enter a final bit of woods. When they come out of the woods, they pass through an old red shale quarry and sprint to the finish line near the disc golf course. When I reached the finish line, I looked at my GPS unit and it read 3.1 miles! I turned off the GPS unit and we walked back to the cars. Ashley thought the course was hard but fair. She will bring her team over to run the course before their home meet and see what they have to say. We had walked a little over 3.1 miles in 1 hour and 45 minutes. We said "Goodbye" and headed home.
On Tuesday, August 25th, I wanted to get in a hike to make it two days in a row. Our last ambilance call was canceled by the time we got to Parksville at 4:30 AM but I found it hard to get back to sleep. I eventually got to sleep at 6:30 AM and slept until 9:30 AM. I had ambulance coverage from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The forecast was originally for blue skies and no rain but that had changed to overcast skies and a chance of showers. I decided to just go to Parksville as it is close and I couldn't get too wet! I started getting ready at 11:00 AM with the temperature at 70 degrees on the back porch. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put my gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 11:10 AM with the sky a mix of overcast and blue with clouds ranging from white to ominous. I drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville and just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road where no cars were parked. We started out on the trail at 11:20 AM with the temperature at 72 degrees.
The first part of the trail was dry as there was some direct sunight. The trail was about as I expected with some damp areas and mud in all the usual spots. There was no standing water or running water. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was a little lower than my last trip. The water was rolling down the stream but was clear. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest. We were soon at the beginning of the wooden walkway but did not stop at this area as I had decided I would not be taking pictures. We crossed the wooden walkways and bridge which were almost dry an not very slippery. I knew that the work the Town of Liberty crews had done on the bridge and some spots on the trail had held up under the recent rains from the storms. We came to the bridge and found that the work done to prevent erosion worked perfectly. The water coming down the stream was reduced since our previous visit and it fell over the large boulders that had been placed and was directed through the culvert. The culvert under the bridge was clear and allowing water to drain downhill. The large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crushed stone on either side of the bridge held and remained in place. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been cleared and crusher run added to replace the mud. The area was well drained with no mud or standing water. The grass from the hay that had been spread was very green and holding the soil together to prevent a mudslide. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well.
We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. I looked up to see a family of fur headed our way. I directed Sheena to the side of the trail and told her "Sit and stay". She immediately followed my commands and did not move as the group passed by. When I told her "Up trail" she headed up the trail without looking back. As we walked toward the falls, I could hear the noise from the stream. When we came to the falls, I saw that the water level was lower than immediately after the storms. This was evident most in the rapids above and below the falls where the water level was lower and the rocks beneath more prominent. I took a look but did not pause. I noticed there was no garbage on the trail as there had been on my last trip. We did not stop at the bench just after the falls but I noticed the water level was lower as the rock layers underneath could easily be seen. We continued our hike through some areas of mud. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. The large dog across the stream was missing but some young children were playing alone near the steep bank. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets us was not there and here was no loud music. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. It was 11:27 AM when we headed back toward the car. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back. We passed the falls and continued our quick pace. We passed the mudslide and as we approached the and the walkway we caught up to the family still hiking toward the Fox Mountain trailhead! I did not Wat to stop so I gave Sheena commands to get us by the other hikers who ware strung out along the walkway. We continued and I made sure that Sheena was beside me. We continued along the trail and were nearing the open part of the trail near the parking area. I could hear people making noise and saw a camp bus backing into the parking area. As we finished the hike, I saw there was a group of about 30 young boys outside the old diner on the other side of the road. They were kicking around some soccer balls which occasionally went into the road and had to be retrieved. We were back at the car at 12:13 PM having walked the whole hike in 53 minutes. The temperature at the car was 74 degrees and the humidity was pleasant.
On Monday, August 24th, I had planned go north to Cazenovia to hike to three different waterfalls. I thought Cindy would like this and it would be a good opportunity to get away from Livingston Manor. When I presented the idea to Cindy on Sunday, she turned me down. I was very disappointed and had to decided if I wanted to drive that distance by myself. I went on an early morning ambuance call and went back to sleep when I got home. When I got up at 10:30 Am, I was not feeling great and thought I might skip hiking. I remembered other times when hiking had made me feel better and decided to go to Alder Lake to hike to the beaver ponds and the lean-to. I started getting ready at 11:45 AM with the temperature at 74 degrees under bright blue skies with puffy white clouds. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put our gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. I drove out the driveway and headed up the Beaverkill Road somewhere just after noon. I headed toward Turnwood and Alder Creek Road where I made a left. I continued to the end where I turned right onto the access road for Alder lake. I drove to the Alder Lake parking lot over a seriously eroded access road and pulled into a spot. There were a few other vehicles in the lot by the lake but no people were in sight. By the noise, there seemed to be a good volume of water flowing down Alder Creek. The temperature was 72 degrees with a slight breeze butand relatively low humidity. The skies were blue with some white clouds.
At 12:35 PM we headed down to the "lawn" passing by the stone foundations which marked the last remnants of the Coykendall Mansion. The lawn had been nicely mowed and there were several picnic tables. A young man was sitting in one of the tables and it looked like he was wearing the uniform of an Assistant Forest Ranger (AFR). The AFRs answer questions for people and try to keep them out of trouble, Alder Lake is a popular camping area. It is primitive but there are some DOs and DON'Ts. One of the things you should not do is to leave food round as it will attract bears! This is such a beautiful place and I was glad the DEC has decided to keep it maintained. We walked toward the trail around the left side of the lake but when I saw the clouds over the lake I decided to stop and take some pictures. I took shots of the lake including Millbrook Ridge and Cradle Rock Ridge. We then headed over to the trail. I noticed that the AFR had started out before us but we never saw him on the trail. Sheena was ranging far and wide enjoying all the scents she could find. As we walked along the trail I kept an eye out for the occupants of the vehicles in the parking area thinking some might be camping. Brush, weeds and branches had completely overgrown the trail and I found it sad that no maintainer for the FLTC was taking care of this area. When I was in charge of this section, I always made sure the loop was kept well-maintained as many people hike around the lake. Sheena was happy to be out and was running back and forth and following some of the trails that led to campsites. I did not see any campsites that had been setup which did not surprise me as it was a Monday. As we crossed the first bridge on the trail, I was dismayed and disgusted by what I saw. Someone, I assume the DEC, had removed the dam the beavers had built leaving behind and ugly mud flat. I am very tired of the DEC interfering with animal habitats for no apparent reason. When I visited last the water was high but not flooding the trail. I enjoyed watching the beavers build dams and lodges. I stopped an took some pictures of the ugly mess to document the destruction by an arm of government that is supped to protect natural habitats, animals and plants. We continued on the trail toward the junction with the Millbrook Ridge Trail. The trees that had blocked the trail had been removed allowing easier passage for hikers and rescue workers.
At about .8 miles we turned left to head toward the lean-to on the Millbrook Ridge Trail. The trail was wet and muddy in some places and there were a few blowdowns to contend with. Some of the blowdowns had been cut and cleared. The trail tread was obvious and it looked like people had been using it. There were quite a few nettles starting to encroach on the trail and I had several "encounters". There is an initial sting but the continued itching bothers me more! For the next 1.5 miles the trail climbed and then leveled off several times. The elevation gain is several hundred feet but the grade is never more than 12% and averages around 6%. There isn't too much to see along the way but this day was very pleasant. I enjoyed the sounds and sights of Alder Creek as it flows parallel to the trail much of the way. I kept thinking we would meet some other hikers but we did not. We passed by the beaver meadow on the right side of the trail. At 1.85 miles we began the last climb and soon arrived at the beaver pond. Where there had once been a beaver meadow, there was now a pond with a dam and a beaver lodge. I was surprised that there was no new work on the dam and the lodge looked vacant. No new trees were cut around the shore. Was the DEC trying to eliminate the beavers completely? Getting to the dam and the shore of the pond was made difficult by the thick brush and high water. I finally fond a spot to take pictures of the whole scene and some shots of the dam, the beaver lodge and the pond. When I finished, I returned my camera to my pack and tried to find a way back to the trail. Behind me I heard splashing and turned to see Sheena bounding through the water to dry land! I worked my way back out to the main trail and walked to the lean-to. I dropped my pack and got out the camera to take a few shots of Sheena by my pack in the lean-to. I walked out toward the pond and took some more poctures of the dam and surrrounding area. I noticed that the privy was now completely torn apart by thoughtless campers looking for some firewood. One person starts the vandalism and the rest join in! We got a drink and a snack. The lean-to has been repaired with a new roof.
We walked back out to the main trail and turned right to walk the short distance to the next beaver pond. We immediately ran into a large tree across the trail which blocked easy access. We worked our way around the ness and headed up a small hill. One very large tree had been cut to allow hikers to ass through its massive trunk. We were soon at the next beaver pond and I found the conditions much the same as at the last. No new trees cut. Nothing added to the dam. Everything looking abandoned. It was sad. I decided to take some pictures to remember what destruction and desolation look like. When I was done, we turned around and headed for the car. To avoid the blowdown blocking the trail, I headed off to the right and for the lean-to. Once at the lean-to we headed back up to the main trail where we turned left to start back to the car. Once we turned, I realized that the return trip would be much easier as it was almost all downhill. We were soon at the loop trail around Alder Lake where we turned left to complete the loop around the lake. Shortly after the turn we came to the bridge with its steep steps and impressive decking. We walked on the main loop trail which was muddy in spots. I stopped at a tree growing on top of a rock to take some shots. As we continued along the woods road toward the dam, I noticed there had been a few campers near the trail junction but none since. The state has asked campers to "rest" the campsites on this side of the lake and people were responding. I looked to the left and saw a faint path leading toward Cradle Rock Ridge. The path was rather evident without a campsite designation. It looked like the area where I usually start to climb Cradle Rock Ridge and I thought about exploring it some another day. The trail ascends some as it approaches the dam but the slope is gentle and then there is a descent. We came to a deep ravine cut by a small stream where a bridge across the stream had been replaced. We continued to walk on the trail coming out of the woods and found it very muddy. We head to the right of the trail where it was wet but not as muddy. The trail here was very wet as we walked up to the dam and across it. I stopped to take a few shots of the spillway and a few of the lake. The sky was now overcast and it looked like it might rain. We passed by the remains of the mansion and I considered walking down to the outlet stream to look at the waterfalls. I decided to save this for another day and we walked to the car. We arrived at the car at 3:50 PM after hiking 4.8 miles in 3hours and 15 minuteswith an elevation gain of 720 feet.
On Friday, August 21st I wanted to hike the new trail loop at Lake Superior State Park in Bethel. This trail is listed at 2.25 miles which is pretty short but it is where I grew up. My friends and I wander all over the area around Lake Superior before it was designated a park. I knew the trail was fairly flat so I asked Cindy to go abs she agreed. I had ambulance coverage from 0:30 Am to 2:00 PM and wanted to get going early. We began to get ready at 8:30 AM which made Sheena watch me very closely. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put our gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 8:45 AM with the sky bright blue with some nice puffy white clouds. I headed out Old Route 17 to Dahlia Road to White Sulphur Springs. From there we took the back roads through the Woodstock site to Route 17B. I took a left on 17B and then a right on Dr. Duggan Road. We arrived at the lower parking lot at the southern end of the lake at at 9:10 AM. There were two cars in the lot when I parked. We always called the body of water here Ernie's Pond after the farmer who owned the land. The barn and machine shop were gone and the house still stood across the road and someone still mowed the lawn.
I set my GPS and made sure Sheena's collar was turned on. Since there were some people around, I put Sheena on her leash. We started our hike at 9:15 AM by entering the park and following the walkway to the Dan. The dam was new and the top was paved to allow people to walk over it. I stopped and dropped my pack to get out the camera. I took pictures of the dam and then pictures of the pond from the dam. The water was almost completely covered in lily pads as it had always been in the summer. The green of the lily pads contrasted nicely with e blue sky and white clouds. I put my camera away and we headed across the dam to follow the trail altong the edge of the field. I was disappointed that the trail did not go into the woods and near the stream but I am sure this one is easier to walk and to maintain. We walked uphill and within a short distance passed behind a house that was starting to show its age. When I was growing up my friends Lloyd and Roger lived here. Together we explored the whole area when we weren't doing chores on Ernie's farm. We continued on the wide path until we were at the main park area. At this point the trail markings ended and there was no indication where we should go next. I decided I wanted to visit the beach so we turned left and walked down to the edge of the water. I got out my camera and took pictures of the lake and the waterfront. The beach was closed due to a recent algal bloom and because there were no lifeguards. We continued to walk across the beach and to the left of the building there. We came to a walkway and turned left to walk out to the road that gives access to the boat launch. Straight ahead we found some signs for the trail and picked it up again here.
We entered the woods and the trail became more uneven with rocks and roots and some mud. The trail ran parallel to the shore but moved away from it a little as it headed north with the lake to the west and Dr. Duggan Road to the east. At 1.1 miles the trail turned right to cross Dr, Duggan Road but a path also turned left to go down to the lake. This is the path we follow when we wanted to o ice fishing in the winter and I wanted to see what it looked like. We turned left and followed the path toward the lake. Unfortunately, the path soon degraded to a swampy, muddy mess. Sheena and I continued while Cindy waited for us to return. I negotiated my way by stepping on rocks and roots and using the side s of the path. Soon we were at a cleared spot on the shore which gave a limited view of the cove on the west side of the lake and the upper end of the lake. There was a boat overturned on shore. I took out my camera and took some shots before stowing it again and returning to the point where Cindy was waiting. We crossed the road and walked through Duggan's Woods. We had to avoid a large blowdown at one point and at .65 miles the trail turned south. When we came to the edge of the woods the trail turned briefly east to follow the edge of the field and then made a right turn so that we were headed south along the edge of the field.
These fields were once part of the farm owned by Emerson Lilley. I Rrmember that they were one of the few farms around that had some sheep. It was in this area that we met the only other person we would see on the trail. He came hiking towards us and we exchanged greeting as we passed. We continued to walk south on the trail passing through some woodlots and the remnants of an orchard. The orchard was where my Uncle Jim Phillips had found many Native American artifacts. Soon we were wakling downhill toward the stream that connected Lake Superior to Black Lake. As we neared the stream the trail turned right to cross the road. I paused a moment remembering where Ernie's barn stood and the many hours we spent feeding and milking cows. The barn has been gone for many years but I can still recall exactly what it looked like. I can also remember where the shop stood. This was where Ernie worked to keep hos machinery running to work the farm. We crossed the road and walked back to where the trail began at the pond. We turned left and crossed the dam to walk back to the car. I though about bushwhacking along the west side of the pond and lake but we wanted to get to the Bethel Market Cafe where our grandson works. We were back at the car at 10:55 AM. We had hiked 2.7 miles in 1 hour and 35 minutes with 15 of stopped time. Before we left I took some pictures of the house across the street. We went to the Bethel Market Café and had a nice lunch served by our grandson Bryce. This place was also full of nostalgia for me as it was once Joyner's Store. The store had a little bit of everything and our bus driver used to stop often so we could get penny candy. In the back of the store was the post office for Bethel, NY.
On Monday, August 17th, I wanted to get in a hike despite the forecast which included rain showers. Our last call was around midnight so I again had my sleep cut short. I did get the chance to sleep into 9:15 AM which did feel good. I had coverage from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. I decided to just go to Parksville as I thought Cindy might like to see the falls and I know he likes flat hikes. I asked Cindy if she would like to go for the hike and she said "yes" but would need a little time. I knew the Little Beaverkill would be high from the rainstorns overnight. We started getting ready at 10:15 AM with the temperature at 72 degrees on the back porch. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike and began to run upstairs to Cindy and back downstairs to me. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put our gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 10:30 AM with the sky overcast with some dark clouds. I drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville and just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road where one car was parked. We started out on the trail at 10:45 AM with the temperature at 72 degrees.
The first part of the trail was damp but drying out a little despite the lack of sunight. The trail was about as I expected with some very wet areas and mud in all the usual spots. There was standing water in a few spots and there were areas of running water. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was about the same as my last trip. The water was rolling down the stream but was clear without the mud and debris. We looked up and saw a group of four headed our way. I directed Sheena to come to the side of the trail and stay. We met the group and said "Hello" as they passed. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest. We were soon at the beginning of the wooden walkway but did not stop at this area as I had decided I would not be taking pictures. We crossed the wooden walkways and bridge which were wet and very slippery. Cindy pointed out that even the handrails were slippery. I knew that the work the Town of Liberty crews had done on the bridge and some spots on the trail had held up under the recent rains from the storms. We came to the bridge and found that the work done to prevent erosion worked perfectly. The water coming down the stream was reduced since our previous visit and it fell over the large boulders that had been placed and was directed through the culvert. The culvert under the bridge was clear and allowing water to drain downhill. The large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crushed stone on either side of the bridge held and remained in place. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been cleared and crusher run added to replace the mud. The area was well drained with no mud or standing water. The grass from the hay that had been spread was very green and holding the soil together to prevent a mudslide. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well.
We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. As we walked toward the falls, Cindy pointed out that the noise from the stream was loud. When we came to the falls, we saw that the water level was high and the water was clear. We paused for a moment to look at the falls amd then continued. We noticed there was no garbage on the trail as there had been on my last trip. As we passed the falls I noted the volume above the falls was high and it was hard to see the rocks beneath. We did not stop but set a quick toward Parksville. I knew we would not be stopping on the way back. We did not stop at the bench but I noticed the water level was higher as the rock layers underneath could nit be seen. We continued our hike through some areas of mud and standing water. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. The large dog across the stream was missing. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets us was not there and here was no loud music. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. It was 11:20 AM when we headed back toward the car. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back. Within a few minutes we could see a group of three people approaching us. The person in the lead had what I believeed was a Dutch Shepherd on a leash. I pulled Sheena off the trail and had her sit. The young man with the dog said "Hello" as he passed by. His dog greeted us by barking and growling! We continued back toward the car. We passed the mudslide and the bridges but Sheena decided she needed to let off a little more energy and started to do some very rapid zoomies! Even Sheena with her long nails was slipping on the bridge. When we came off the walkway, we heard a noise behind us and turned around to find a man jogging the trail. Sheena was not interested in him but Cindy and I said "Hello". We continued and I made sure that Sheena was beside me as I expected the runner to return. We continued along the trail with Sheena beside me and soon the runner did return heading back to Parksville. I gave Sheena the "With" command and she fell in behind us. We were back at the car at 11:50 AM having walked the whole hike in an hour and 5 minutes The temperature at the car was 74 degrees and the humidity was pleasant.
On Thursday, August 13th I planned to get out for a longer hike as I had ambulance coverage from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. I slept in to make up for time lost during the previous nights on ambulance calls. When I woke up at 9:30 AM it was still sprinkling a little so I decided to go to the transfer station to clean out some recyclables and garbage. When I finally finished my chores, It was 12:30 PM and no one else was home except for Sheena. The sun was shining brightly and it was very humid with the temperature at 74 degrees but I knew I should get out. I decided I would go to Round Top as I had not been there for almost 4 months and knew it might need some light maintenance. Round Top is always available for a hike and although there are few surprises it is always better than staying at home. Sheena was jumping around and would not leave my side showing she was ready to get outside. She likes to smell my hiking clothes to make sure I am getting dressed in the right clothes. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! At 12:45 PM I made sure Sheena's ecollar was turned on and put her on her leash. We walked out the door to start the hike and headed down the driveway and to the street. Sheena knows to pause and look both ways until I say "Cross". We crossed the street and walked through the field next to the church parking lot. We walked to the back of the church and began the ascent of the steepest hill behind the church. The hill is short but gets the circulation pumping and is the steepest and longest climb on the "trail." I held my poles in one hand and Sheena's leash in the other as Sheena pulled my up the hill. We did stop once on the way to the top of the hill. I could really feel that I had not been hiking any hills lately but the climb was easier than I expected. At the top we paused for a minute so I could look around at the hills that surround the hamlet of Livingston Manor. I noticed that the grass in the cemetery had not been cut in some time as it looked more like a hayfield. I thought it a shame that the Town of Rockalnd does not seem to take this responsibility seriously. We continued the hike by turning left at the trailhead. The trail was damp but there wasn't any mud or standing water. In several places along the way I stopped for a few moments to remove branches that had fallen on the trail. Some I picked up and threww and other I was able to pivot off the trail.
At the first trail junction, I followed Sheena as she continued up the hill toward the lookout. Sheena shot up the hill but it took me a little longer so she came back to meet me before running up again. At the top we turned left on the unmarked path put to the lookout. Between the leaves on the existing trees and some new trees that had frown up, the view was limited. I found the spot with the best view of the school and the other buildings in town. I dropped my pack and took out the camera. I took pictures of the school and downtown business area. After that, I directed Sheena to the upper lookout. She immediately ran up the rocks and posed for pictures! When I was done, I packed up and we walked back out to the main trail. We turned left on the main trail and followed it up to the upper lookout where the trail turned right and started to ascend through the woods. I removed one larger branch but I was surprised that there were only a few small branches given the wind storms that had occurred lately. The forest floor was covered in ferns but Sheena seemed to know where the trail was located. I had her stop and sit on the trail in the ferns while I took a few pictures. I was surprised that the trail looked so unused. As we continued, we passed the "Sitting Rock" and climbed the short but steep hill. As the trail leveled, I found a small blowdown across the trail. I put my pack down and tried to pull the blowdown off the trail. When that didn't work, I got out the saw and cut it in two places. This allowed me to remove the center section and throw it off the trail. I noticed that the sustained aerobic work of cutting the blowdown was more difficult than when I had been in better shape. When I was done, we continued toward the intersection with the blue trail. The bushes had closed in and we had to push our way through! At the trail junction, I decided to turn right to do a figure 8 as that would help me cover most of the trails.
As we walked the yellow trail along the base of Round Top it was obvious that this part of the trail also needed some serious trimming. I thought that my Stihl line trimmer could get much of the brush but manual clippers might be needed in some cases. About half way to the junction, the trail opened up and was easier to walk. I removed several large branches and one small blowdown without having to use my saw. At the trail junction, we turned left and started up the blue trail toward the summit. The trail was scoured down to packed dirt from the heavy thunderstorms over the last few weeks. We passed the white trail and continued over the summit. these trails had some bushes encroaching on the trail but were passable. On the way down the blue trail, we ran into another blowdown on the trail. This one I was able to lift and shift off the trail. We walked a few more steps and the white crossover trail appeared on the left. One look showed me that no one was using this trail as it was untouched. A few more steps and we turned left on the switchback. It looked to me like more people were using the old main trail which I had tried to discourage! The two small blowdowns that had been a nuisance were gone through human intervention or nature I did not know. We walked out to the turn and then followed the switchback as it headed back toward the main trail. At the end we turned left to head downhill toward the yellow trail. There was a trunk about 4 inches n diameter across the trail. I ried lifting it to see it it would break but it was solid. I decided to leave it for another day when I could use an ax to clear it. At the junction, we turned left on the yellow trail and walked along the base of Round Top to the next junction with the blue trail. We turned right and started downhill to the woods road. Almost immediately we ran into some brush bent down across the trail. I got out my saw and cut all the brush near the ground. I then pulled it all back off terrain and was done in less than 10 minutes. It was getting a little late so I packed up and we walked down the trail to the woods road where we turned right to head back to the first trail junction.
Immediately I noticed a tiki torch jammed into the ground on the right side if the trail. There was also a fire ring with burned wood, extra wood stacked in a pile and garbage strewn around and up the hill toward the ledges. It was a disgusting sight and I was truly appalled that a group of people would mistreated this beautiful area! I removed all the stones and wood and threw it all as far away as I could. I did not have a bag to collect the garbage but wanted to remove it all immediately. This problem was solved as the "campers" had left behind a tent. I picked up all the garbage and threw it inside the tent and included the tiki torch. I started to drag the mess downhill with some difficulty. All was doing as well as I could expect until we were almost at the trail junction. There was a large tree that had fallen across the trail blocking it. I knew it would require hours of work with the hand saws and axes. It would be a good candidate for a chainsaw which would take considerably less time! I tried dragging and lifting the tent full of garbage over the log and, to my surprise, I was able to get it up and over. I continued to drag the tent behind me as I made the left and and headed back to the first trail junction. Along the way there the tent caught in some roots and rocks on the trail but I was able to get it to the trailhead. At the trailhead we met a couple who were getting ready to hike the trail with their baby asleep in a stroller.They knew they wouldn't get to far but were willing to try. We talked about the lack of views from lookout and the terrible condition of the Orchard Street Cemetery. They visiting and said it seemed like the town didn't want to preserve and maintain what they had. I could not disagree! As they entered the trails, I went down into the cemetery and took some pictures of the gravestones nearly hidden by the grass. When I was down we walked down the hill to the back of the church. I put Sheena on her leash and we walked through the parking lot to the road. We turned right and then left into our driveway. We were back home at 2:10 PM after hiking for 1 hour and 25 minutes. I was glad there were no ambulance calls while I was away. I notified the highway superintendent of the "tent" at the trailhead and the large blowdown on the trail. U also asked about the cemetery maintenance. He informed that the Town of Rockland now has a Parks and Recreation Department that is responsible for these issues. I was surprised! I called the Town Supervisor and when he did not answer I left a text message. So far I have had no response. This may be another time I will have to act on my own!
On Friday, August 7th, I wanted to get in a longer hike away from Livingston Manor with Sheena and son-in-law Brad. Ambulance calls had continued to be frequent after a near record 121 calls in July. I had coverage from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. As often happens we ran some ambulance calls overnight. We got back from the last one at 4:00 AM and we both laid down to get some sleep. We woke up at 10:00 AM and decided to just go to Parksville as I thought Brad might like to see the falls. I knew the Little Beaverkill would still be high from the torrential thunderstorns that flooded Livingston Manor last week but I also knew the water would be clearer. We started getting ready at 12:45 PM AM with the temperature at 78 degrees on the back porch. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike and began to run around the house barking. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put our gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at noon with the sky blue and dotted with some white clouds. I drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville and just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road. To our dismay there was a large yellow bus and a full compliment of boys from a local camp. After the initial shock, we noticed the boys were coming off the trail and filling the bus! We couldn't believe our luck! We waited a few minutes until the stream of boys turned to a trickle and started out on the trail at 12:15 PM with the temperature at 78 degrees.
The first part of the trail was damp but drying out in the direct sunlight. Once we were on the trail and sheltered by the trees it seemed a little cooler. The trail was about as I expected with some very wet areas and mud in all the usual spots. There was standing water in a few spots but no running water. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was about the same as two days ago. The water was rolling down the stream but was much clearer without the mud and debris. We looked up and saw a young woman with her dog on a leash headed towards. I directed Sheena to come to the side of the trail and stay. As we met the other hiker, she asked us how much more trail was left. I told her there was only a few hundred feet to the parking area. She was disappointed because she thought the trail continued. I told her that there was more rail bed and I to0ld her how to get to it. She thanked me and we headed off in opposite directions. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest. We were soon at the beginning of the wooden walkway but did not stop at this area. We crossed the wooden walkways and bridge which were almost dry. I knew that the work the Town of Liberty crews had done on the bridge and some spots on the trail had held up under the deluge of rain from the storms. We came to the bridge and found that the work done to prevent erosion worked perfectly. The water coming down the stream was reduced since our previous visit and it fell over the large boulders that had been placed and was directed through the culvert. The culvert under the bridge was clear and allowing water to drain downhill. The large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crushed stone on either side of the bridge held and remained in place. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been cleared and crusher run added to replace the mud. The area was well drained with no mud or standing water. The grass from the hay that had been spread was very green and holding the soil together to prevent a mudslide. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well.
We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. As we walked toward the falls, we could hear an increase in the noise from the stream and I knew the falls was just ahead. We could also hear the noise of what sounded like a large group of children at the falls. Brad and I estimate between 30 and 40 children. When we came to the falls, we saw at least that many boys in the stream above the falls and at the base of the falls. Several men were watching from above. We had been noticing a lot of garbage along the trail consisting of empty water bottles and snack packages. As we passed the falls I noted the volume was good and the water clear enough to see the rocks beneath. We did not stop but set a quick toward Parksville. I knew we would not be stopping on the way back as the campers were ruining the view. We did not stop at the bench but I noticed the water level was lower as the rock layers underneath could be seen. We continued our hike through some areas of mud. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. The large dog across the stream was missing. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets us was not there and here was no loud music. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. It was 12:55 PM when we headed back toward the car. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back. Within a few minutes we could see all of the boys and their supervisors headed toward us. Brad and I had started picking up water bottles and snack wrappers as we walked. All of the wrappers were from a kosher brand not native to the Catskills. Many of the boys greeted us as we passed and some asked about Sheena. I just wished that someone had taught them not to litter. As we passed the falls at 1:05 PM,we found a nice shopping bag to hold our garbage collection. We continued back toward the car. We passed the mudslide and the bridges and kept a good pace. Somewhere in this area Sheena decided she needed to let off a little more energy and started to do some very rapid zoomies! I looked up and saw the young woman with the dog headed our way. I again called Sheena to the side of the trail as they passed. She said she had started out on the trail toward Old Liberty Road but turned around to do it later with her boyfriend. We continued along the trail with Sheena in the lead until we neared the end of the wooded part of trail. I gave Sheena the "With" command and she fell in behind us. We were back at the car at 1:35 PM having walked the whole hike in an hour and 20 minutes The temperature at the car was 88 degrees and the humidity was oppresive.
On Friday, August 7th, I wanted to get in a longer hike but I also wanted to hike with Cindy who prefers short and flat hikes. I also knew that many of the other trails would have standing and running water. Ambulance calls had picked up and were keeping me busy but I had coverage from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. As often happens we ran some ambulance calls overnight. I got back home at 2:00 AM and laid down to get some sleep. I woke up at 9:00 AM and asked Cindy if she wanted to go To the Parksville Rail Trail. Her initial answer was "No" but a little later she agreed! I had been in the trail several times lately but Cindy had not and I thought she might like to see the falls. I knew the Little Beaverkill would still be high from the torrential thunderstorns that flooded Livingston Manor last week but I hoped the water would be clearer. We started getting ready at 9:15 AM with the temperature at 73 degrees on the back porch. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike and began to run around the house barking. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put our gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 9:30 AM with the sky was partly blue and partly overcast with some sunlight and some clouds. I drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville and just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road. There were no cars parked in the lot. We started out on the trail at 9:40 AM with the temperature at 73 degrees.
The first part of the trail was wet. Once we were on the trail and sheltered by the trees it seemed a little cooler. The trail was about as I expected with some very wet areas and mud in all the usual spots. There was standing water in a few spots and even some running water across the rail. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was about the same as two days ago. The water was rolling down the stream but was much clearer without the mud and debris. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest. We continued our hike and as we approached the walkway we could see a couple walking toward us with a dog slightly bigger but younger than Sheena. The dog was on a leash so I told Sheena to go to the side of the trail and sit. The couple passed by and we greed each other. We were soon at the beginning of the wooden walkway but did not stop at this area. Wet crossed the wooden walkways and bridge which were very slippery from being wet. I knew that the work the Town of Liberty crews had done on the bridge and some spots on the trail had held up under the deluge of rain from the storms. We came to the bridge and found that the work done to prevent erosion worked perfectly. The water coming down the stream was reduced since our previous visit and it fell over the large boulders that had been placed and was directed through the culvert. The culvert under the bridge was clear and allowing water to drain downhill. The large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crushed stone on either side of the bridge held and remained in place. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been cleared and crusher run added to replace the mud. The area was well drained with no mud or standing water. The grass from the hay that had been spread was very green and holding the soil together to prevent a mudslide. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well.
We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. As we walked toward the falls, we could hear an increase in the noise from the stream and I knew the falls was just ahead. We passed the falls at 10:07 AM and I noted the volume was good and the water clear enough to see the rocks beneath. We did not stop but set a quick toward Parksville. I though I might stop on the way back to take some pictures. We did not stop at the bench but I noticed the water level was lower as the rock layers underneath could be seen. We continued our hike through some areas of mud and standing water. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. The large dog across the stream was missing. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets us was not there and here was no loud music. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. It was 10:15 AM when we headed back toward the car. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back. We were back the falls at 10:23 and I decided to take some pictures. Sheena and I worked our way down the slippery path to the streambed. I put down my pack and took out the camera. I took pictures of the falls at a wide angle and then used different zooms to focus on the rapids below the falls and then the falls themselves. I changed my position and took more shots of the rapids and falls. I took some of the stream below the falls. I was ready to go but Sheena jumped up on some rocks and sat down. I guess she is trained pretty well!. I took some shots downstream and then returned the camera to my pack. We worked our way back up the path and I decided to take some shots from above. I took pictures of the falls and some of the rapids above the falls. When I was done, I returned my camera to the pack and we continued back toward the car.
We passed the mudslide and the bridges and kept a good pace. Somewhere in this area Sheena decided she needed to let off a little more energy and started to do some very rapid zoomies! I looked up and saw the couple with the dog headed our way. I again called Sheena to the side of the trail as they passed. Not very far after this we could see a woman approaching with a small dog on a leash. She was pushing a small shopping cart. After she passed, I asked Cindy what was un the cart but she had not seen either! We continued along the trail with Sheena in the lead until we neared the end of the wooded part of trail. I gave Sheena the "With" command and she fell in behind us. We were back at the car at 11:00 AM having walked the whole hike in an hour and 20 minutes The temperature at the car was 83 degrees and the humidity was oppresive.
On Wednesday, August 5th, I wanted to get in a hike after many days of ambulance calls. I wanted to visit at least one falls as the rain at the beginning of the week had swelled all the local streams. Ambulance calls had picked up and were keeping me busy but I had coverage from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. As often happens we ran three ambulance calls overnight all in other districts! I got back home at 7:00 AM and laid down to get some sleep. I woke up at 11:30 AM and decided to go to the Parksville Rail Trail because it has a falls, is close to home, and would fit into the time I had remaining for ambulance coverage. I knew the Little Beaverkill might still be high from the torrential thunderstorns that flooded Livingston Manor last week. I started getting ready at 12:15 PM with the temperature at 74 degrees on the back porch. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike and began to run around the house barking. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put my gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 12:30 PM with the sky was partly blue and partly overcast with plenty of sunlight and some clouds. There was also a slight breeze which made it feel comfortable despite the high humidity. I drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville and just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road. There were two cars parked in the lot. We started out on the trail at 12:40 PM with the temperature at 78 degrees.
The first part of the trail was wet in some places and just damp in others. Once we were on the trail and sheltered by the trees the temperature did not change much as there was no breeze but no direct sunlight. The trail was about as I expected with some very wet areas and mud in all the usual spots. There was standing water in a few spots but no running water across the rail. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was lower than the previous week as the runoff from the storms had stopped and there had been no significant rain since. The water was rolling down the stream but was much clearer of mud and debris. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest. As I was walking I suddenly heard "On you right" from five feet behind me. A man on a bicycle had come up behind us and did not use an audible signal and waited until the last minute to announce is presence. Fortunately Sheena is not bothered by bikes and also got out of the way. We continued our hike and as we approached the walkway I could see the man with the bicycle stopped by the bench. He seemed to be taking a picture of the bench and recording a narrative. We did not stop at this area but crossed the wooden walkways and bridge. The long walkway was only a little slippery and was almost dry. I knew that the work the Town of Liberty crews had done on the bridge and some spots on the trail had held up under the deluge of rain from the storms. We came to the bridge and found that the work done to prevent erosion worked perfectly. The water coming down the stream was reduced since our previous visit and it fell over the large boulders that had been placed and was directed through the culvert. The culvert under the bridge was clear and allowing water to drain downhill. The large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crushed stone on either side of the bridge held and remained in place. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been cleared and crusher run added to replace the mud. The area was well drained with no mud or standing water. The grass from the hay that had been spread was very green and holding the soil together to prevent a mudslide. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well. The man on the bicycle passed us again without a signal or a word.
We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. As we walked toward the falls, we could hear an increase in the noise from the stream and I knew the falls was just ahead. We looked up to see some people at the falls. They were looking at the falls and I was not sure which way they were headed. The man on the bicycle was stopped at the falls. I told Sheena "With" and we passed by the people and the falls at 1:02 PM. We set a quick pace passing a few more people at the bench. The other people turned around and followed us toward Parksville. I did not stop at the bench but I noticed the water level was lower as the rock layers underneath could be seen. We continued our hike through some areas of mud but all the standing water that had been on the trail was gone. We outdistanced the other hikers pretty quickly. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. The large dog across the stream was missing. The man on the bicycle rode past us again and I hoped that would be the last time we would see him. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets us was not there and here was no loud music. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. It was 1:08 PM when we headed back toward the car. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back. The group of people we had met came walking toward us and we passed by with a smile and a "Hello". We came to the falls and we passed them to continue our hike at 1:14 PM. We passed the mudslide and the bridges and kept a good pace. Somewhere in this area Sheena decided she needed to let off a little more energy and started to do some very rapid zoomies! I looked up and saw three people coming toward us. I continued along the trail with Sheena and acknowledged the other hikers as we passed them. I told Sheena "Up Trail" and she took off. As we neared the end of the wooded part of trail, I gave Sheena the "With" command and she fell in behind me. We were back at the car at 1:34 PM having walked the whole hike in 54 minutes! The temperature at the car was 78 degrees and the humidity was oppresive.
On Friday, July 31st I wanted to get out for a longer hike as I had ambulance coverage from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. There were no ambulance calls overnight but I decided to get some sleep to make up for the last few nights. I got up and ate some breakfast and felt much better. In addition, Sheena was giving clear indications she wanted to hike. I started to get ready to hike at 10:45 AM with the temperature at 78 degrees and Sheena watching my every move. I decided to hike the Parksville Rail Trail from Parksville toward Livingston Manor. The forecast called for blue skies with some clouds but no rain. I got dressed in a new Columbia Omni-Shade Omni-Wick shirt without a baselayer. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I thought about wearing a pair of low-cut and lighter hiking shoes but thought the trail might be wet and muddy. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Micro Vario poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I also put on my OR BugOut gaiters for the ticks that are becoming active. At the last minute, I added my OR floppy hat for shade and as a base of insect repellent. I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. At 11:05 AM I put my gear in the car and Sheena in the back seat. I headed out Old Route 17 across the Flats and then took Old Route 17 and Service Road to the point where they meet Fox Mountain Road. Just after this intersection is the western parking area for the rail trail. The parking lot was empty. I put Sheena on her leash for the short road walk to the beginning of the trail.
We started out at 11:15 AM with the temperature right at 80 degrees. A slight breeze was blowing but the skies were bright and sunny with some billowing white clouds. We walked on Service Road toward Fox Mountain Road and turned left to walk underneath the Quickway. We walked back to the intersection of Fox Mounatin Road and Benton Hollow Road and hopped the guard rail where I took Sheena off her leash. We immediately came to what was left of the trestle supports that carried the trail tracks over the stream. I noticed what remained of a painting on the trestle. I had seen this painting before but had not realized it was a memorial to NASCAR driver Davey Allison #28 who drove the Texaco-Havoline Ford car. Allison died in a helicopter crash in 1993. Unfortunately, the paint was peeling and hardly readable anymore. We walked up the trail to left to the top of the trestle. As we entered the shade of the trees, it immediately seemed a little cooler. The trail was well defined and stretched ahead for some distance. Like most rail trails it is very straight. Town of Liberty Supervisor Frank DeMayo had told me that this was state land and the town had an agreement from the state to use it. The hope is to connect the Parksville Rail Trail to all the sections that stretch as far as Livingston Manor. We started to walk along the trail and I noticed there was quite a bit of traffic on the Quickway but that I could shut out the noise. The land dropped off steeply to the Little Beaverkill on the right. On the left were some "cliffs" which were the result of the railroad cutting a path for the tracks. We continued to walk along the well-defined trail which was only damp and a little muddy in places. It was a pleasant walk without many insects which surprised me.
There were a number of blowdowns on the trail which could be removed with hand tools but the trail is not maintained at this point. I walked over or around these and removed some small branches on the trail as we walked. Sheena jumped over all the blowdowns. She can take a running start or seemingly jump from a standing start. There are two places along the trail where there are piles of garbage. It is hard to determine why they are there. Both piles had tarps over them which seemed to indicate someone once valued the items but people have begun to remove them. There are some very interesting signs. A VW bug was just over the bank on the right after the first pile of debris. After the second debris field we ran into some very large puddles on the trail from one side to the other. They weren't very deep so I walked around some and through others. Sheena chose the through route every time. We soon came to a gate on the trail which was odd since it was state land. We walked around the gate and continued on the rail trail. There was a path to the left just after the gate. It looked interesting but we stayed on the rail trail. Someone had been at work with a deck mower or brush hog and had flatten all the grass and errant bushes. They had also hot several bags of garbage spreading it far and wide. Soon we came to a small pond on the right with a red building behind it. The building looked to be in good shape but the windows were all boarded up. There was a definite path between the pond on the right and the wetlands on the left of the trail. It looked like a beaver trail to me but I could not see any dam, lodge, or even any trees that the beavers had cut. The level of the pond was higher than usual as we had heavy rain the night before. After hiking about 1.3 miles, we came to a driveway on the left which leads to the Sonoma Falls property. This is private property even though it is not posted. Hiking without permission is trespassing. At one time there was a campground on the property. Some local business people bought the property and built a cider mill and market. They took the time to construct some hiking trails along the stream. I remember that the falls were very nice with separate drops which increased in height the farther upstream one ventured. The business closed when not enough people would go out of their way to visit. It was 11:45 AM and it had only taken us 30 minutes to hike the 1.3 miles. We turned left and walked toward the buildings.
The main building and one out building had been torn down and all that remained was two piles of rubble. A stainless steel sink used to wash be apples and a machine to turn the apples into pulp for pressing had been saved. I decided I would only take pictures of the falls and not the rumble! I am sure the owners felt they had to take down the buildings as they had been vacant for so many years. The roof of the main building had been collapsing. Vandals have painted graffiti on other buildings inside and out. It made me very sad to see this once busy attraction deteriorate so badly it had to be destroyed. We walked back to my pack and walked to the stream just behind the building and I got my first look at the falls. They had not changed much but the water level was very high from the torrential rains earlier in the week. There was a falls right in front and one visible farther upstream and still another in the distance. I started taking the first of what would be a large number of pictures. I perched on some rocks and got a niceview of all of the falls. I took pictures using different zooms to focus on each art of the scene. I picked up the pack and walked a little uphill where there was a nice viewpoint and I took some more pictures. I put the camera back in the pack as we walked the trail up to the second falls and I found a way to get down to the streambed to get a clear shot. Hiking alone and descending the steep and slippery banks is a little scary! I took more pictures and then worked my way up the bank to the main trail. There are several areas where there is laid up stone which made me think there had been mills along the stream at some point. We walked a little farther upstream to the third set of falls. The amount of water coming over the falls was more than I had seen before and I found an angle to get some shots. This falls is formed not be rock formation but by a man-made dam.
We continued to walk and came to a small pond at the base of the highest falls so far. I walked along the edge of the pond to a stone wall. I climbed on top of the wall and took some shots of the falls and some pictures downstream toward the dam. The light was almost prefect! We continued to walk along the stream until I found a good viewpoint right in front of the falls. I had to experiment with zoom and angles and settings to get some shots. I took some shots and of the lower falls and a few of the upper. The walk up the bank was inteeresting as the soil was wet and slippery from the rain. We continued uphill toward the upper falls. We walked as far as we could and then descended some to get better pictures of the upper falls. When I was done, we walked back up the bank and then up the steep hill toward the uppermost falls. We walked along the edge of the gorge until I could get some shots of the last falls. This is by far the highest falls and trying to get all of it in one shot was challenging. I took a few shots and then moved a little more upstream for a better view of the upper drop of the three that make up these falls. The water level continued to be outstanding and the noise the falls was making was impressive. I took my last shots of the falls and then packed up to hike to the bridge over the stream at the top. The bridge was in poor shape. I was able to get some pictures of another small falls formed by a dam that impounds a pond. This falls ahad more water going over it than I has ever seen before. We turned around at 12:25 PM and walked the woods road until we came to a point where one branch goes straight ahead and the other turns left. We have hiked straight ahead several times but it is a bushwhack and usually very wet. I was also trying to avoid the ticks as much as possible so we turned left. We followed the woods road downhill all the way back to the remains of the buildings. We walked back out to the rail trail hitting it at 12:35 PM. I noted that it had taken 40 minutes to hike up to the top of all the falls and only 10 minutes to walk back down! I thought about hiking out to Old Liberty Road to lengthen the hike but in the end turned right to go back to the car. Sheena and I began a fast-paced walk back to the car. We made good time as there wasn't anything to hold us back. I was thirsty byt decided to wait and reward myself with a drink at the gas station by the trailhead. Sheena had gotten some water from the various stream along the way. We were back at the car at 1:15 PM having hiked over around 3.5 miles in 2 hours with plenty of stopped time for photography. The ascent was over 300 feet almost all of which was the climb to the waterfalls. I do hope the plans to connect the sections of the rail trails are successful! I also hope that someone reopens Sonoma Falls to the public in some form as it is a beautiful setting.
On Thursday, July 30th, I wanted to get in a hike despite the unsettled forecast calling for showers. I wanted to visit at least one falls as the rain at the beginning of the week had swelled all the local streams. Ambulance calls had picked up and were keeping me busy but I had coverage from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM PM. As luck would have it a call came in before 8:30 AM and I responded. The call was somewhat difficult and tiring. When I got home, I decided I needed to get out and Sheena agreed! I decided to AGAIN go to Parksville and hike the rail trail. I knew the Little Beaverkill would still be high from the torrential thunderstorns that flooded Livingston Manor. I started getting ready at 10:45 AM with the temperature at 64 degrees on the back porch. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike and began to run around the house barking. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Makalu Lite poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put my gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 11:05 AM with a temperature of 68 degrees on the back porch. The sky was partly blue and partly overcast with plenty of sunlight and some clouds. There was also a slight breeze which made it feel comfortable despite the humidity. I drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville and just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road. There were no cars parked in the lot. We started out on the trail at 11:12 AM.
The first part of the trail was wet in some places and just damp in others. Once we were on the trail and sheltered by the trees the temperature did not change much as there was no breeze but no direct sunlight. The trail was about as I expected with some very wet areas and mud in all the usual spots. There was standing water in a few spots and even some running water across the rail coming off of the Route 17 bypass. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was as high as I have seen it even during the spring thaw! The water was rolling down the stream and was still muddy from eroding the stream banks. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest. I did not stopped at the area just before the wooden walkways and bridge even though the view has grown in. I was able to get some good shots through the trees of the creek below. When I was done, we walked across the long walkway which was slippery from being wet and from some algae growing on it. I was anxious to see how the work the Town of Liberty crews had done on the bridge and some spots on the trail held up under the deluge of rain from the storms. to the had dried out and was not at all slippery. We came to the bridge and found that the work done to prevent erosion worked perfectly. The water coming down the stream was significant but it fell over the large boulders that had been placed and was directed through the culvert. The culvert under the bridge was clear and allowing water to drain downhill. The large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crushed stone on either side of the bridge held and remained in place. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been cleared and crusher run added to replace the mud. The area was well drained with no mud or standing water. The grass from the hay that had been spread was very green and holding the soil together to prevent a mudslide. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well. We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. As we walked toward the falls, we could hear an increase in the noise from the stream and I knew the falls was just ahead. We looked up to see some people at the falls who had walked in from the other trialhead in Parksville. They were looking at the falls and I was not sure which way they were headed. I told Sheena "With" and she stayed by me as we turned left and started down the path to the base of the falls at 11:37 AM. The other people turned around and headed back to Parksville.
I was careful to watch my footing down the path as there had been some erosion. I could see that the water was very high but had been higher at the peak of the Storm. I kept Sheena behind me and cautioned her to be careful. We finally reached the base of the path and I put my pack down to get out the camera. I took pictures downstrean and to the stone wall across the stream. I then turned my attention to the falls and the rapids below. I took a wide view and then narrowed my zoom to various areas of the scene. I even tried some settings to get the soft feel that many people like but I wondered how "soft" that amount of water could look. I had Sheena hop up on her rock and I took some shots of her with the water in the background. We climbed back up the path to the picnic table where I again got out my camera and took some shots of the falls and the rapids upstrean. I returned my camera to the pack and we started toward the Parksville trailhead at 11:47 AM. I was a little surprised that we were only at the falls for 10 minutes! I did stop at the bench and walked down a little path to take some shots of the rapids above the falls. We continued our hike through plenty of standing water and some mud. I looked up to see a couple walking toward us. The man had a large camera with a nice lens. We said "hello" as we passed. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. The large dog across the stream was missing. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets us was not there and here was no loud music. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. It was 11:53 AM when we headed back toward the car. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back. The couple we had passed were stopped at one of the interpretive signs near the falls and we passed them to continue our hike at 12:03 PM. We passed the mudslide and the bridges and kept a good pace. Somewhere in this area Sheena decided she needed to let off a little Moe energy and started to do some very rapid zoomies! I looked up and saw three people and a dog on a leash coming toward us I took Sheena to the side of the trail and told her to sit. The group passed us with Sheena motionless until I told her "Up Trail". As we neared the end of the wooded part of trail, I gave Sheena the "With" command and she fell in behind me. We were back at the car at 12:23 PM having walked the whole hike in 1 hour and 11 minutes! The temperature at the car was 71 degrees.
On Thursday, July 23rd I had arranged to have two corps members cover calls for the day so that I could take a longer hike with my grandson Bryce on my birthday. As luck would have BOTH members let me know they could not fulfill their commitment! Fortunately, two other members stepped up to cover calls from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. At 8:30 AM a call came in and they had it covered before the pager stopped sounding. At 9:00 AM Bryce arrived and I started to think about hiking with the temperature at 68 degrees on the back porch. The forecast was for a beautiful day with no rain in sight and plenty of sun so I thought we might go to Frick Pond to hike the big loop around Hodge and Frick Ponds. I began to get ready to hike knowing we needed to get going to prevent having to rush through the hike. As I began to get ready, Sheena was ready to go and stayed close to me to make sure she was going along. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved crew top without a baselayer. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last along time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. The pants have Velcro closures at the ankles which I hoped would mean I did not need gaiters. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which I ordered a half size larger than the previous pair. These shoes fit well out of the box but get much tighter when I add a decent insole. Without the third party insole, my feet hurt from the lack of support. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and they really do seem to deliver. I decided to take my Leki MicroVario poles with external locks as the internal twist locks sometimes fail. I did put on my OR BugOut gaiters to combat the ticks that I knew would be out there. I also made sure I had water and some bars as I had not yet eaten anything. I also checked that I had my camera and GPS. I left my phone home as I did not want to be bothered. We put my pack and poles in the car and Sheena in the back seat. I headed out the DeBruce Road at 10:00 AM. After six miles I turned left on Mongaup Road. Where the road split I stayed left on Beech Mountain Road and drove to the parking lots. There were two cars in the smaller parking lot as I pulled in to park between them. My plan was to walk up the Flynn Trail to the junction with the Big Rock Trail and then continue on the Flynn Trail to Hodge Pond. From Hodge Pond we would follow the Flynn Trail to the end at Junkyard Junction. Here we would pick up the Quick Lake Trail and follow it back to the car. I set my GPS unit before we crossed the road and picked up the Flynn Trail. Bryce agreed to carry my pack and I thought that a fine idea!
At the end of the trail through the woods, we turned right on the woods road that was once the extension of Beech Mountain Road. The trail was damp in spots but was in good condition. It is a long climb toward the junction with the Big Rock Trail but it seemed to me we were moving very quickly and I was feeling full of energy. Having Bryce carry the pack was very helpful. Being able to talk to Bryce always makes the hike seem shorter! Sheena ran up the bank a short distance before coming back. I noticed that Sheena was a little farther ahead of us than on some hikes. She was ranging about 50 feet ahead and then coming back and going about 10 feet behind. I noticed she was very interested in the chipmunks and squirrels along the trail as well as the occasional bird. Sheena is a Feist which is a southern hunting dog and it shows in the way she hikes. At one point we looked up and a couple was hiking toward us. We said "Hello" and I noticed the amn had a baby carrier on his back with a very content child. At about 1.2 miles we came to the point where I sometimes turn off the trail to visit an interesting clearing. I decided to bypass this area as I wanted to keep moving and complete the big loop. We continued on the main trail toward the trail junction passing several blowdowns that had come down over the last week in the heavy winds. Our walk to the Big Rock Junction went quickly and we arrived after hiking 1.7 miles in about 50 minutes. We continued straight ahead on the Flynn Trail encountering some branches on the trail. We passed the gate that separates the state land from land owned by the Beaverkill Land Trust. The Trust allows hiking and responsible use of the trails and land. At the next trail junction, we stayed to the left to follow the Flynn Trail down to Hodge Pond. As we walked out to the field at the outlet end of Hodge Pond and into the sun, I noticed the apparent increase in temperature.
We walked down the rest of the Flynn Trail and came to the outlet of Hodge Pond. The level of the pond was higher than I had ever seen it and the outlet area was flooded! The flooding spread over the Flynn Trail and into parts of the clearing at the outlet end of the pond. The beavers had been at work and had blocked the culvert at the outlet end of the pond and built a dam. I wondered if we could negotiate a path through the mess or if we would have to take the jeep trail around the other end of the pond. We walked over to the shore and I took a few pictures. The sky was blue with puffy white clouds to increase the contrast with the rest of the sky. Sheena got a drink and waded through some water but showed no desire to swim. After a few minutes, we walked back to the Flynn Trail and I took some pictures of the work the beavers had done before we carefully picked our way through the flooded ground. We followed the Flynn Trail along the west side of the pond. The trail was wet and muddy in places but these were mostly easy to avoid. At the next trail junction we stayed to the left to take the Flynn Trail up the hill rather than the jeep road around the back of the Hodge Pond. Sheena easily jump over a tree across the trail while I struggled to clear it. The trail up to the gate was relatively dry. The rest of the trail was wet and muddy most of the way to Junkyard Junction. We went slowly as we tried to find the best way through the water and the mud. There were several blowdowns which provided an extra challenge. It was 12:05 PM and we had hiked 3.4 miles which is a little more than halfway through the hike in 1 hour and 45 minutes. We turned left to start the hike back and a faster pace as we were going downhill. The trail conditions were relatively good with only a little water and mud. The trail initially rolls some but eventually descends toward Iron Wheel Junction. On this day it seemed the trail was rockier than usual amd I kept rolling my ankles. We turned right at Iron Wheel Junction after hiking 5 miles. I decided no to stop at the junction as I already had many pictures.
The turn allowed us to stay on the Quick Lake Trail heading for Frick Pond. The trail conditions included both water and mud but we were getting used to this and it was not as bad as I have seen it! Eventually, we came to and crossed the small stream through the woods with no difficulty using the stepping stones someone had added. The level of the stream was much lower than I had expected given the rains that had fallen over the last few days. I decided not to stop to take pictures as I was tired and wanted to press on. We walked through the spruce tunnel which was almost dry and out the other side. There were no blowdowns to slow our progress. After leaving the shelter of the trees, the trail was wet and muddy in most places but in much better shape than usual. We passed by the junction with the Big Rock Trail on the left and were soon at the bridge over the Frick Pond outlet. Bryce dropped my pack and got out the camera. I have taken hundreds of pictures form the bridge but can't resist stopping to take a few more. The beavers had rebuilt the lower dam that someone had ripped out and the water level was higher than before! The lodge entrance was underwater which made it usable again. I hope that whoever feels they can rip out the dam with machinery will leave nature alone. After I took some picture, we walked up the hill from Frick Pond to Gravestone Junction. The memorial stone was still in place and had not been moved. We continued straight ahead on the Quick Lake Trail. The trail was wet for almost the entire way back to the car with a few muddy places. We passed by the register and walked the woods road back to the parking area. The two cars that had been parked next to me were gone and two more more had parked. The larger parking areas was still empty. We were back at the car at 1:48 PM having hiked 6.4 miles in 3 hours and 30 minutes with a vertical gain of 870 feet. The temperature was still 68 degrees and it had been a glorious hike. Sheena immediately curled up in the back seat. It was the first time I felt she was done for the day!
On Thursday, July 16th, I wanted to get in a longer hike than I had been doing recently. There had been some rain and numerous ambulance calls. I had coverage for ambulance calls from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM so we could hike for up to 4 hours without guilt. As often happens an ambulance call woke me up in the middle of the night. I did get back to sleep but then was off again at 7:45 AM on another call. When I got home after 9:30 AM it was 68 degrees on the back porch with a haze of smoke hanging low from the wildfires in Canada. I was tired and making excuses for taking a shorter hike. I wanted to get out and hike to some elevation to keep the fitness level I had built up. I decided to head to the Frick Pond area and hike the Flynn Trail toward Beech Mountain where there are several good viewpoints. I was hoping that the smoky haze would provide some unusual photographic opportunities. I started to get ready at 9:45 AM. Sheena was pretty excited as I started to get ready as getting out to hike is her favorite thing. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Makalu Lite poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put my gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat and left my house at 10:10 AM. I drove out the DeBruce Road about 6 miles to Mongaup Road and turned left. I continued up the road to the point where it splits and stayed left on Beech Mountain Road. It was a short drive to the parking areas on the left. There were no cars in either parking area. I parked in the smaller lot and got out. I could immediately smell and see the smoke in the air! I was surprised it was so noticeable and wondered if I was making the right choice to hike under these conditions. I decided I could always turn back. I set my GPS even though I had hiked this area extensively. I like a record of what I do on each hike. I made sure Sheena's ecollar was turned on and I let her out of the car. She immediately began to run around following her nose. We crossed the road at 10:35 AM to begin our hike on the Flynn Trail with the temperature at 72 degrees.
The first part of the trail near the road had become further eroded by the recent rains but people had walked around the gully forming a new trail. The walk through the woods was relatively easy and the trail was only damp. My mind told me that I should be tired but my legs wanted to move. When we came to the end of the trail, we turned right onto what once was Beech Mountain Road. This area of the trail was also barely damp without any heavy dew on the grass. I wondered if the rest of the trail would be the same. Starting out my whole body was tired but the further we hiked the better I felt. I set a relaxed pace up the Flynn Trail as I was in no hurry. Sheena was about 20 feet ahead of me all the time. Every time I slowed down she did also to keep the same distance. She usually ventures off the trail following a game trail or chasing a squirrel and today was no exeption. Whenever she got too far ahead I gave the command "Not too far" and she would come right back to me. We did not stop along the way but continued toward the junction with the Big Rock Trail. The Flynn Trail is uphill all the way for the first 1.7 miles to the Big Rock Junction. We passed the mile mark around the point where there is a clearing to the right of the trail. I thought about visiting the clearing but knew this hike would already be the longest I had taken in some time. We were soon walking the final uphill section to the junction with the Big Rock Trail. It was 11:25 AM so we had covered the 1.7 mile distance in 50 minutes which was a good time. We continued through the junction and passed through the gate which is the boundary between state land and Beaverkill Land Trust property. It was a short walk to the point where the Flynn Trail heads left and downhill to Hodge Pond. Here we turned to the right on the woods road and walked along the road to the junction of some roads above the pond. At this junction a road turns left to go down to the pond. Just a little further on the road splits with the left fork passing by the site of the former Beech Mountain Boy Scout Camp and ending up on Shin Creek Road in Lew Beach. The camp has been bulldozed by the Land Trust because the building were in ruins and collapsing. The road out to Shin Creek Road is now available for hiking and has a nice parking area near Shin Creek Road. We continued up the hill toward the Hodge Pond Lookouts on a woods road that surrounds Flynn's Point on Beech Mountain, the highest point in Sullivan County. As we walked, I could see that there had not been any vehicles on the road recently as there were no new tracks. I had noticed that I was a little tired walking up the Flynn Trail but felt more energized walking up the road. There had been some work done of the road creating runoffs so that water would run into the woods preventing further erosion.
I wasn't really tired so we pushed the pace a little more. The sun was out and there was a slight breeze blowing making the conditions ideal for hiking. When we got to the old sand and gravel pit where the trail levels the sun hit me full force and I realized how warm it really was. The trail began to gain elevation again and we passed by a spring house on the right where Sheila used to like to dig in the water and get a drink. Sheena also got a drink but the amount of water was very small. The spring house used to be a solid structure but now appeared unattained and in a shambles! There are several twists and turns along this road and it is sometimes hard for me to know exactly where I am. At 2.7 miles we came to what was once a lookout on the left of the trail. The lookout has grown in so that there is no view. We did not stop but continued on the road as it made a sharp right turn. Just after this the road turned to the left and another trail branched off to the right. We followed the road to the left as it gained some elevation then started downhill. We passed a woods road on the right and then the path on the left toward Mongaup Mountain, one of the Catskill Highest Hundred. The road turned to the right and soon led to a cabin with a beautiful lawn. The lawn usually has an incredible view to the east with many of the 3500 foot peaks visible. The panorama from this lookout takes in the Burroughs Range and many of the other Catskill peaks. Unfortunately, on this day all I could see was a cloud of smoke. As I walked around I caught a glimpse of some of the mountains through the trees. Even on a clear day the trees have begun to grow up and are starting to limit the view. I got out my camera and took some pictures of the trees in the foreground and the smoke in the background. When we were done, I got a drink and cupped my hands to give Sheena one. We then continued on the woods road. Sheena was impatient as she always wants to be in motion and she easily found the woods road and head out ahead of me. We climbed a short hill to the woods road that surrounds Beech Mountain and turned left. We followed the woods road clockwise around Beech Mountain. There are some impressive ledges on the right of the trail going in this direction. I wanted to take some pictures but it was hard to get an angle. We came across a blowdown that had been cut by chainsaw. We walked passed the blowdown and arrived at the Hodge Pond Lookout.
I dropped my pack and took out my camera. The conditions here were better than on the other side of the hill but Hodge Pond was largely obscured by the smoke. I walked out to the lookout to take pictures. I took some pictures of the pond below through the smoke. The hills in the distance were completely blocked. When I was done taking pictures, I had Sheena sit on the viewpoint while I took some shots with the pond and the smoke in the background. I got another drink and gave some to Sheena. We continued on the woods road traveling clockwise around Beech Mountain. The trail was only damp in several places and the rest was dry. We were back at the road and turned left to start downhill. We definitely picked up the pace as I knew the rest of the trip back was all flat or downhill. The trip down was much quicker than the trip up. When we reached the bottom of the hill, it was 12:50 PM so I decided to continue straight ahead and return on the Flynn Trail to make sure I was home by 2:00 PM. I was lost in my own thoughts as we descended the trail. It was much easier going down than up and our pace increased. Sheena was still full of energy and was off trail more than on it. At points she was wading through ferns that were still taller than her. Sheena's solution was to bounce through ferns so her head was above the tops of the ferns. As we approached the gate at the end of the woods road, Sheena stopped to wait for me and followed behind as we continued on the Flynn Trail through the woods. We were soon back at the car. It was 1:55 PM and we had hiked 6.5 miles in 3 hours and 15 minutes gaining 1050 feet along the way. We had stopped for a total of 7 minutes. Our speed was 2.0 mph overall and 2.1 mph moving. The temperature had risen to 78 degrees and the smell of smoke was as noticeable as when we had parked.
On Wednesday, July 15th, I wanted to get in a hike despite the forecast for high heat and humidity for almost the entire day. Ambulance calls had picked up and were keeping me busy but I had coverage from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. As luck would have it several calls came in during the morning hours amd I stuck around in case a second crew was needed. by 1:30 PM things had quieted down so I decided to AGAIN go to Parksville and hike the rail trail. I knew the Little Beaverkill might still be high from the rains a few days ago. I started getting ready at 1:45 PM with the temperature at 84 degrees in the back porch. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Makalu Lite poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put my gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 2:00 PM with a temperature of 84 degrees on the back porch. There was an overcast sky which blocked the sun and a breeze which made it feel very comfortable. I drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville and just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road. There were no cars parked in the lot. We started out on the trail at 2:08PM under overcast skies.
The first part of the trail was damp but was drying. Once we were on the trail and sheltered by the trees the temperature did not chang much as there was no breeze but no direct sunlight.The trail was about as I expected some wet areas and some mud. There seemed to be less water and mud than during our last trip. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was a little lower than the last trip but NT nearly as dry as Trout Pond the day before. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest in warmer weather. I did not stop at the area just before the wooden walkways and bridge as my objective was to hike as fast as we could. We walked across the long walkway which had dried out and was not at all slippery. We came to the bridge and found that the work done to prevent erosion seemed to have worked. The culvert under the bridge was clear ad allowing water to drain downhill. The large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crushed stone on either side of the bridge held and remained in place. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been cleared and crusher run added to replace the mud. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well. We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. As we walked toward the falls, we could hear an increase in the noise from the stream and I knew the falls was just ahead. At the falls, I took a peek and found the volume was still good. No one was cooling themselves off at the falls or lying in the sun on the rock shelves above.
I wanted to push the pace so we continued to walk without stopping. We continued on the trail toward Parksville. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. The large dog across the stream was missing. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets us was not there but just as we approached the end their owner cranked up his obnoxious music. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. It was 2:32 PM when we headed back toward the car. We had covered the walk out in only 24 minutes and I decided to lush hard on the way back. I knew the walk back was usually quicker. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back. We passed the falls and still found no people enjoying themselves below or above the falls. We continued passed the mudslide and the bridges and kept a good pace. We crossed the bridge and the wooden walkway. As we neared the end of the wooded part of trail, I gave Sheena the "With" command and she fell in behind me. We did meet two young ladies just starting out on the trail and Sheena ignored them. We were back at the car at 3:54 PM having walked the return route in 22 minutes. The whole hike took us just 46 minutes which was our best time ever! The temperature at the car was 86 degrees.
On Tuesday, July 14th I had coverage for ambulance calls from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. I planned to get out for a hike somewhere that I had not been in some time. I decided I wanted to take Sheena and go to the area around Trout Pond. This is an area I have hiked many times but I had not been there in some time. As often happens a call came in at 5:30 AM and I responded. The patient had to be transported to Middletown instead of Harris which means it is a 100 mile trip rather than 30 miles! I was tired when I got hoe but I knew I would feel better if I did. I was also convinced by Sheena's obvious indications that she wanted to go. I decided not to waste any time as there was a heat advisory from noon on. I started to get ready at 8:45 AM with the temperatures at 72 degrees on the back porch. Sheena is a Feist-Cur cross which are actual types of dogs used on farms and for hunting in the south. She loves to get out and hike. Even though she is only not quite 2 years old she is very strong for a small dog. I am glad that I have transitioned to an ecollar and that Sheena has learned basic commands very quickly. On this day Sheena was hanging out near me so that I would not forget to take her. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Makalu Lite poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put my gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 9:05 AM with a temperature of 73 degrees on the back porch.
I drove north on the Quickway towards Roscoe and got off at exit 94 heading north on Route 206 towards Downsville. After crossing the Rockland Flats and passing the Roscoe Nursing Home, I turned left on Morton Hill Road and drove to the intersection with Russell Brook Road. A car had just pulled into the parking on the left side of Morton Hill Road. I pulled up next to him and told him the lot is private property. He seemed like a decent guy but gave the same lame excuse I have heard so many times. 'I have been doing it for years and many other people park here.' In other words, I really don't care about the rights of others as long as it is convenint for me. People see the open space and park there without thinking about the fact that the land is private. I did not want to have to walk back up Russell Brook Road at the end of the hike so I decided to drive down the road to park in the lower lot. I thought about parking at the overlook for the upper falls but decided against it. I drove down to the lower parking lot and parked the car in the lot where six other cars were parked! I did not see any people so assumed they were camping or out hiking. Russell Brook Falls is popular as a falls and swimming area and people also like to camp at Trout Pond. It was early in the season and it was a weekday so I was surprised that there were so man cars. My intention was to visit the falls on the way out as the lighting was best that way. I had forgotten my GPS unit but was not concerned as I had done the hike before. We started our hike by turning on the electronic collar on Sheena and the remote in my pocket. When I let Sheena out of the car she started running around the parking area sniffing everything in sight. At 9:25 AM we started our hike by walking down the woods road toward the bridge across Russell Brook. The road was mostly dry with a few damp spots.
As we crossed the bridge, I could see that the water level in the stream was lower than I expected. The Japanese knotweed had bounced back to narrow the path encroaching on the area available for hikers. The history of this area is very interesting. Russell Brook Falls had been the site of a dam that impounded water for a waterwheel in Butternut Grove. The wheel was still there a few years ago. The area near the register box was the "landing zone" for loggers who cleared the evergreen trees, not for tanning but, for the production of wood alcohol. The trees were transported on narrow gauge railway that ran parallel to Russell Brook. The railway met the mainline O&W near Butternut Grove where the logs were unloaded. There were several acid factories in the area that produced wood alcohol. There was also a factory on the lower part of Russell Brook that produced khaki dye for the uniforms of American troops during World War I. We continued on the trail to the first junction where we turned right. When we came to the path to the falls, it was almost impossible to see it as the knotweed almost completely obscured it. We turned right and walked toward the falls getting wet from the water on the vegetation. We walked to the spot where the path descends to the streambed. We walked down to the bottom and to the streambed. I was glad there were no people present. The falls had only a trickle of water and the stream below was almost dry. There had been some localized storms but this was apparently not one of those locations. I put down my pack and got out my camera and took some pictures of the falls at different angles and zooms. I also took shots of the stream. I remembered how Sheila would pose in front of the falls while I took pictures of her. I got Sheena to pose by the falls and took a few shots. She is getting very good at posing and staying until I call her. I returned to my pack and put away the camera. We walked back up to the path that runs out to the main trail. I had some time constraints and decided not to go up to the top of the falls.
At the main trail we turned right and followed it passed the register box and up the trail toward Trout Pond. Sheena had headed to the left but was quick to see where I was headed and raced ahead of me. The trail was barely damp but not really muddy at all. All of the small streams that normally cross the trail were dry. I did notice that several blowdowns had been cut and cleared from the trail using a chainsaw. These trails are maintained by the DEC and the frequency that they are maintained is spotty and usually occurs once in the spring. We continued on the trail uphill toward Trout Pond. I wasn't consciously pushing the pace but the walk seemed to go very quickly as we passed the path to the first primitive campsite on the left. My breathing and heart rate were up but it felt good. Sheena was leading the way but keeping a consistent distance ahead of me. She did come back to visit several times! I could barely hear the outlet stream from Trout Pond indicating not much water was coming out of the pond. Sheena was ahead of me on the trail with an occasional trip off trail. Giving her the command "Trail" brought here right back. When she is on the trail, she picks a certain distance ahead of me and maintains that distance by waiting for me or speeding up. Soon we were at the outlet end of the pond and we walked to the beach which we had to ourselves. The beach was a wide band of exposed sand and a quick glance at the other shores showed the water level was low. I put my pack down to get out my camera and while I was doing that I heard splashing as Sheena was doing some wading in the water. The skies were blue but there was some general, unconsolidated cloudiness rather than nice puffy individual clouds The sun was shining but not enough to interfere with photography as it was behind me. I made sure to get shots of the pond with some zooms of the shoreline showing the water level. I also some of the beach and the spillway. The distance between the spillway and the water was a least 6 feet. I stood in the spillway and took some pictures. When I was done, I packed up and we returned to the main trail to walk the flat woods road toward the inlet end of the pond.
This trail is always wet but on this day it was almost completely dry. I did see what looked like recent vehicle tracks along the trail! Sheena kept walking over to the edge of the water looking like she might jump in again. There were a lot of squirrels and chipmunks running around and Sheena was busy chasing them. The weeds were high and sometimes I could only tell where she was because she kept hopping up. I could see a large campsite on the other side of the pond with music and voices. The large campsite on the right of the trail was empty. The small stream just before the trail junction near the leanto was dry. I looked up and saw a small SUV parked just off the trail with no one around! I looked for handicapped markers but saw none. O wondered how one gets permission to do this. When we came to the bridge, I stopped to take a few pictures of the pond from the bridge. The inlet stream was completely dry. Sheena was doing zoomies around the trails and paths. I got her to sit still long enough that I could take some pictures of her on the bridge. I also took some pictures of the car. At the start of the hike I questioned whether I would feel like continuing around the pond as there is a pretty good climb. I was feeling great and decided to continue. We crossed the bridge and stayed to the right on the Mud Pond Trail which would take us over Cherry Ridge and form a loop back to the parking area. The trail was relatively dry but very rocky as we started to ascend the hill. As we continued up the trail, I slowed a little as the grade increased. I had not been hiking many hills lately and I felt it. We began to run into places where branches, small trees, and large trees had been cut and removed from the trail. These trails are maintained by the DEC but I was not sure when the work had been done. There were also a few new blowdowns that had not been cleared from the high winds that had blown through the area in the passed few weeks.
From the bridge at the inlet we climbed 430 feet over the next .75 miles. The trail headed west from the inlet until turning sharply south at around 2 miles. The highest point on the trail was at 2.2 miles after which most of the rest of the hike is downhill. I was not surprised that I was getting tired on the climb but I still felt great. As we started down the other side, there was no water or mud in the places where there is often standing or running water. I was able to make better time than usual as I did not have to avoid the water and mud. These conditions continued for the rest of the trip. We ascended a the hill to the stand of small birch trees and then descended the other side. At 3.4 miles we had descended 420 feet from Cherry Ridge to the snowmobile trail near Mud Pond. I could see that the trail was only damp so we stayed on the woods road. I considered walking over to Mud Pond but I was a little later than I wanted. We ascended a small hill before starting downhill back toward the parking area. This area usually has some running water across it and some running down the trail but it too was dry. This part of the trail is exceptionally rocky making the descent tricky. Even though I was being careful there were times I was very glad I had the poles! I looked up at one point and saw three people headed toward us with a dog. I pulled Sheena off the trail to let them go by. I had not noticed there was another group of young hikers coming up behind us. What I did notice was that Sheena's collar with all her tags was missing! I was not sure it had been on her at the start of the hike and that annoyed me. After the two groups passed each other and use Sheena and I went back to the trail to continue. The group of young hikers we were following was moving quickly and was soon out of sight! I completely missed the small stream near the bottom of the hill as it was dry. We passed the large campsite on the left which was also empty and left me wondering where all the people were. We came to the bridge over the outlet stream For Trout Pond. All told, we had dropped 380 feet over the .7 miles back to the bridge. I crossed the bridge over the outlet stream which barely had any water flowing. We continued to the main Trout Pond Trail where we turned right. We continued on the trail passing the knotweed. We crossed the bridge and walked up the trail to the parking area and the car. We were back at the car at 11:55 AM and had hiked 4.6 miles in 2 hours and 30 minutes with an elevation gain of 925 feet. We had stopped about 15 minutes for pictures. My moving speed was just under 2 mph but I was satisfied because of the rolling terrain. The lot had a few more cars and the temperature had risen to 80 degrees although it still felt comfortable.
On Tuesday, July 7th, I wanted to get in a hike despite the forecast for showers for almost the entire day. Ambulance calls had picked up and were keeping me busy but I had coverage from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. As luck would have it a call came in early in the morning and I did not get home until after 9:00 AM. When I got home, I decided to AGAIN go to Parksville and hike the rail trail. I knew the Little Beaverkill might be high as it had rained the last few days. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Makalu Lite poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put my gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 10:00 AM with a temperature of 64 degrees on the back porch. This was so much cooler than the week before and felt very comfortable. I drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville and just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road. There were no cars parked in the lot. We started out on the trail at 10:13 AM under overcast skies with some most in the air.
The first part of the trail was wet from the rain overnight but was drying. Once we were on the trail and sheltered by the trees the temperature did not changed much as there was no breeze and no direct sunlight.The trail was about as I expected some wet areas and some mud. There seemed to be more water and mud than during our last trip. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was exactly the same as the day before. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest in warmer weather. I did not stop at the area just before the wooden walkways and bridge as our objective was to hike as fast as we could. We walked across the long walkway carefully as it was wet and very slippery. We came to the bridge and found that the work done to prevent erosion seemed to have worked. The culvert under the bridge was clear ad allowing water to drain downhill. The large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crushed stone on either side of the bridge held and remained in place. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been cleared and crusher run added to replace the mud. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well. I looked ahead and saw a woman walking with dog on a leash. I thought she was walking toward us so I pulled Sheena off the trail near one of the benches and waited for her to pass. After a short time, I peeked out at the trail and saw no one! I concluded that woman and dog were headed toward Parksville. We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. As we walked toward the falls, we could hear an increase in the noise from the stream and I knew the falls was just ahead. At the falls, I looked down to the base and saw the volume was much higher than on our previous visit. I was surprised that no one was cooling themselves off at the falls or lying in the sun on the rock shelves above.
We started down the path to the base of the falls. Sheena scampered down the path without a probe. I was much more careful as the rocks were wet and slippery. When we reached the stream, I took off my pack and got out my camera. The overcast skies were better for photography than bright sunlight. I took pictures of the falls and rapids from different angles and zooms. There was an impressive foam on the river just below the rapids so I grabbed some shots. I also took shots downstream where everything was so green. I was almost done but Sheena had other ideas, She ran to some rocks and sat down with the falls in the background. I took shots as she looked in different directions and changed her position. When she was done, I put the camera away, shouldered the pack, and walked back up to the mainsail. I again put down my pack and took out the camera. I took shots from above the falls and some upstream. After I was done, we continued on the trail toward Parksville. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. The large dog across the stream only started to bark as we were almost passed and then it was half-hearted. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets seemed to be inside and we only heard a few barks. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. It was 10:49 AM when we headed back toward the car. We had covered the walk out in 39 minutes but at least 10 minutes was consumed taking pictures. I knew the walk back was usually quicker. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back. We passed the falls and still found no people enjoying themselves below or above the falls. We continued passed the mudslide and the bridges and kept a good pace. We crossed the bridge and the wooden walkway. Sheena decided that the bridge was the place for zoomies! She would run straight at me and then try to stop slipping on the wet surface! She did this several times and each time I thought she would slam into me! As we neared the end of the wooded part of trail, I gave Sheena the "With" command and she fell in behind me. We were back at the car at 12:15 PM having walked the return route in 26 minutes. The whole hike took us just over an hour including time for photography. We had met no other hikers which is what I prefer. The temperature at the car was 66 degrees and a light mist was in the air.
On THursday, July 2nd, I wanted to get in a hike despite the forecast for a heat index over 100 degrees! This would be the third day in a row of hiking and although the distances were short I was feeling physically and mentally better. I had ambulance coverage from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. As luck would have it a call came in early in the morning and we were halfway there when we were canceled. This happened two more times before 10:00 AM! When I got home, I decided to again go to Parksville and hike the rail trail just to say we had hiked in the heat. I knew the Little Beaverkill would be low as it had not rained much since yesterday. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes to confirm we were going to hike. I got dressed in my Columbia Omnishade long-sleeved shirt which really does seem to be cooler than others. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Makalu Lite poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put my gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 12:45 PM with a temperature of 93 degrees on the back porch and drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville. Just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road. There were no cars parked in the lot. We started out on the trail at 11:57 AM under blue skies with lots of sun and a nice breeze blowing. The temperature was 92 degrees and the heat index was 105 with high humidity.
The first part of the trail was just damp from a shower overnight but drying quickly. Once we were on the trail and sheltered by the trees it was a little warmer as the trees blocked the pleasant breeze. The trail was about as I expected some damp areas and some mud. There seemed to be less water and mud than during our last trip. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was exactly the same as the day before. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest in warmer weather. I did not stop at the area just before the wooden walkways and bridge as our objective was to hike as fast as we could. We walked across the long walkway and then we came to the bridge. We already knew the crew had finished their work and had done a great job! They had cleared all of the debris that was blocking the culvert under the bridge. Large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crew had added crushed stone on either side of the bridge to smooth the way on and off the brdige. More stone had been added to fill in the mud pit on the Parksville side. Some fencing had been added and the overall effect was very pleasing. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been partly cleared in the past but the Liberty crew had graded it and added some crusher run. They also removed much of the debris, erected some fencing, and added some hay to help grass to grow back. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well. We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. As we walked toward the falls, we could hear an increase in the noise from the stream and I knew the falls was just ahead. I was surprised that no one was cooling themselves off at the falls or lying in the sun on the rock shelves above.
We passed the path down to the falls as I wanted to save time and I noticed the falls looked the same as last time. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. The large dog across the stream was not present and I missed him. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets us was also absent. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. It was 12:21 PM when we headed back toward the car. We had covered the walk out in 24 minutes but I knew the walk back was usually quicker. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back. We passed the falls an found people enjoying themselves below and above the falls. We continued passed the mudslide and the bridges and kept a good pace. We crossed the bridge and the wooden walkway. As we neared the end of the wooded part of trail, I gave Sheena the "With" command and she fell in behind me. We were back at the car at 1:45 PM having walked the return route in 24 minutes. The whole hike took us 48 minutes which I believe is our record! We had met no other hikers which is what I prefer. The temperature at the car was 91 degrees. Usually when I drive away the temperature goes down but by the time I was on the flats in read 94 degrees!
On Wednesday, July 1st, I wanted to get in a hike despite the forecast for a heat index over 100 degrees! I had ambulance coverage from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM I thought. When my crew did not respond to an early mutual aid call, I made other arrangements which kept me on call until.noon! I decided to just go to Parksville and hike the rail trail because it is under three miles out and back and I was not sure how Sheena or I would adapt to the heat and humidity. I knew the Little Beaverkill would be low as it had not rained much since our last trip. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes and became very excited. I got dressed in a Mountain Hardwear ` long-sleeved shirt. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Makalu Lite poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put my gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 12:45 PM and drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville. Just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road. There were two cars parked in the lot. We started out on the trail at 12:55 PM under blue skies with lots of sun. The temperature was 91 degrees and the heat index was 101 with high humidity.
The first part of the trail was just damp from a shower overnight but drying quickly. Once we were on the trail and sheltered by the trees it was a little cooler. The trail was about as I expected some damp areas and some mud. There seemed to be less water and mud than during our last trip. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was not quite as high as the last time we had hiked along the trail. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest in warmer weather. I did not stop at the area just before the wooden walkways and bridge as our objective was to hike as fast as we could. We walked across the long walkway and then we came to the bridge. We already knew the crew had finished their work and had done a great job! They had cleared all of the debris that was blocking the culvert under the bridge. Large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crew had added crushed stone on either side of the bridge to smooth the way on and off the brdige. More stone had been added to fill in the mud pit on the Parksville side. Some fencing had been added and the overall effect was very pleasing. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been partly cleared in the past but the Liberty crew had graded it and added some crusher run. They also removed much of the debris, erected some fencing, and added some hay to help grass to grow back. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well. We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. As I looked ahead, O could see two women sitting on a bench. As we approached I told Sheena "With" and she fell in behind me. As we passed the ladies greet me and I returned the favor. I told Sheena "Up trail" and she did just that. As we walked toward the falls, we could hear an increase in the noise from the stream and I knew the falls was just ahead. I could also hear voices which meant there were people enjoying the cool water.
We passed the path down to the falls as I wanted to save time and I noticed the falls looked the same as last time. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. Many of the rundown buildings had beem removed or were being renovated. Several of the buildings showed that work had been done on them. The large dog across the stream was not present and I missed him. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets us was also absent. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. It was 1:21 PM when we headed back toward the car. We had covered the walk out in 26 minutes but I knew the walk back was usually quicker. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back but that did not stop Sheena from going into full zoomie mode. She was racing ahead and then sprinting back toward me. She added some growling and attempts to bite my feet! We passed the falls, the mudslide and the bridges and continued to keep a good pace. Up ahead I could see the two women who had been sitting on the bench headed back to the parking area. We crossed the bridge and the wooden walkway. As we neared the end of the wooded part of trail, I gave Sheena the "With" command and she fell in behind me. We were back at the car at 1:45 PM having walked the return route in 24 minutes. The whole hike took us 50 minutes which was the best in some time!
On Tuesday, June 30th, I wanted to get out for a longer hike after sticking to shorter hikes on the rail trail. I covered an ambulance all early in the morning and finally returned home at 10:30 AM with the temperature at 75 degrees on the back porch. I thought I might try a shorter hike in the Frick Pond area. I intended to hike up Flynn Trail and then make a decision about the route I would take. As usual, Sheena was excited but was trying to be the "good dog". I decided to wear a Columbia Omni-Shade Omni-Wick crew shirt without a baselayer. I wore my Railriders hiking pants which are expensive but last along time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. The pants have Velcro closures at the ankles. I thought about warmer pants but decided against it. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Makalu Lite poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I put on my OR BugOut gaiters as I knew that the trails would be dry but the ticks would be out! I also decided to wear my OR floppy hat. I put my gear in the back and Sheena in the backseat and headed out the DeBruce Road at 11:40 AM. After 6 miles, at Mongaup Pond Road, I turned left and continued to follow the road bearing left onto Beech Mountain Road at the fork. When we arrived in the parking area there were no cars parked in either lot. Sheena was acting as if she hadn't hiked in a month as she ran around and headed for the trail. Even though it was a little later on the day, the temperature was 75 degrees at the trailhead as it is usually cooler there than in town. The skies were now mostly blue with white clouds. I set my GPS as we got ready to head out on the Flynn Trail. We crossed the road and began our hike at 11:57 AM.
The Flynn Trail is sited along what used to be Beech Mountain Road which was the access for the Beech Mountain Boy Scout Camp. We walked the trail through the woods which was damp in places but not muddy. We started out slowly because my muscles felt tired but soon were keeping a good pace. I almost did not notice the right turn onto the woods road. We began a consistent climb at a slightly faster pace than a week ago. The path was narrow and it did not seem that many people were using the trail. The trail gains a little over 600 feet in 1.7 miles to the highest point at the junction with the Big Rock Trail. We passed the hemlock that used to form a tunnel but was cleared by the DEC. We began to find some small branches on the trail which had come down in the winds from various storms. We continued to find similar conditions for the rest of the hike. The day was getting warmer as the sun came out full force. I began to warm up even though I only had a single layer. On the way up the trail we came to the rock ledges on the right side of the trail. I sometimes take pictures here but decided that I might not take any pictures on this day. As we approached and the clearing to the right of the trail, I debated walking up to the field but decided against it. It was a beautiful day and the sun was shining on the rocks and the trail. I noticed that I was very relaxed and decided it was partly due to the sounds of the winds and the birds. Sheena was keeping mostly to the trail but also was making some detours to chase game. Since the grass and ferns were taller than her, Sheena would periodically jump straight up to see where she was going. Sheena would take the time to come back to check on me occasionally. We descended a little and then began walking uphill. Along the way there had been several blowdowns that had not been cleared as Te NYNJTC has apparently not assigned new trail maintainers which is a shame. We were soon at the junction with the Big Rock Trail. I was a little tired and I needed to be back before 2:00 PM so I decided to leave the longer hikes for another day. We turned left to walk down the Big Rock Trail. It was 10:54 AM and we had hiked 1.7 miles uphill in an 53 minutes. This was slower than usual but I was enjoying the relaxed pace.
The Big Rock Trail was only a little damp as we started down the long descent. The hike down the trail went well and more quickly than I expected. It was definitely easier than the uphill hike! This trail can be tricky as there are three levels that make it seem like the bottom of the hill. On this day the descents seemed to go quickly and I was not discouraged. We encounter huge swarms of mosquitoes that overwhelmed my repellent with sheer numbers. I quickened my pace to a near jog and we were soon at Times Square. This was my last chance to lengthen the hike and I thought about turning right to hike up and around the Logger's Loop to add some distance. I decided against this as it was getting late and we continued our hike by walking straight across Times Square to stay on the Big Rock Trail. The Big Rock Trail around the back of Frick Pond can be very wet but this day there was barely any mud. Sheena hiked right through the water and mud that was present and was getting filthy! Sheena alerted and I saw a man coming toward us with a dog on a leash. I pulled Sheena off the trail and asked the man to pass by which he did. Sheena and I continued and soon ran into the rest of the family consisting of son, daughter and wife. We crossed the two small bridges over the inlets to the pond and I decided not to stop to take any pictures. The first of the inlet streams was almost dry and the water was not flowing. The second inlet stream had even less water. When we got to the area that was covered by tall evergreens, I pushed on through as I had taken pictures here very recently. The wooden boardwalks continue to show wear with many boards loose and other beginning to rot. Much of the boardwalk now "floats" in midair as the supports are rotting. The local rangers and the DEC field office have been alerted several times but don't really seem to care as any work including repalcement are not in "The Plan".
The rest of the trail was damp with several wet and muddy spots. At the next trail junction we turned left on the Quick Lake Trail to head for the bridge across the outlet of Frick Pond. We walked along the west side of Frick Pond to the bridge across the outlet of the pond. The mudhole was wet but not muddy as the drainage work and the stepping stones did their job. I stopped at the bridge to admire two new beavers dams that had been constructed. Unfortunately, both dams had now been damaged with the lower one ripped out completely and the upper one reduced in size. The water level in the pond had dropped significantly making the beaver lodge unusable. There were more tracks in the dirt indicating that someone had brought in a large machine to vandalize this beautiful area! In the past, I have tried to determined who was responsible for this devastation. I have called everyone from the local ranger to the Region 3 office to the state DEC offices. Either someone has taken it upon themselves to do this or the DEC does not want to admit they have given permission. This lack of transparency is disturbing. I know that if I did something similar there would be heavy fines. Sheena and I walked up the hill and continued to Gravestone Junction. The tracks of the machinery were still very obvious and had chewed up the trail with no regard to the work done by maintainers. We passed the Lobdell Memorial marker just after Gravestone Junction. The marker is a memorial to two children who died in the 1930's in a fire that consumed their cabin. The trail to the memorial was well-worn but the marker was standing intact. The trail back to the register was damp and muddy in spots but not as wet as I expected. We passed the trail register heading toward the parking area and continued straight ahead to follow the woods road out to the car. We arrived at the car at 12:02 PM having hiked 4.1 miles in 2 hours with an elevation gain of 640 feet. Our overall average speed was just under 2 MPH with a moving average of 2 MPH. The temperature had risen to 78 degrees!
On Thursday, June 25th, I wanted to get in another hike to make it three days in a row. I had ambulance coverage from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM so my I plan seemed doable. I decided to just go to Parksville and hike the rail trail even though it is under three miles out and back. I asked Cindy if she would like to go and she said "Yes". The catch was that she would not be back from her Bible study until noon! I knew the Little Beaverkill would be low as it had not rained much since our last trip. I did want to see how the Town of Liberty's work on the bridge was holding up. By the time Cindy got home and we ate lunch it was 12:30 PM but I knew we still had time to just walk the trail. The temperature was right 74 degrees on the back porch with blue skies and plenty of sun. As we were getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes and became very excited. I got dressed in my Columbia OmniShade long-sleeved shirt. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Makalu Lite poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! I put the ecollar on Sheena and turned it on. I put our gear in the back of the car and Sheena in the back seat. We left Livingston Manor at 12:45 AM and drove out Old Route 17 toward Parksville. Just after Fox Mountain Road, I pulled into the parking area on the right side of the road. There was one car parked in the lot. We started out on the trail at 1:00 PM under blue skies with lots of sun. The temperature seemed cool but we both noticed the humidity was high.
The first part of the trail was just damp but drying quickly. We continued hiking and once we were on the trail and sheltered by the trees it was a little cooler with the breeze blowing. The trail was about as I expected some damp areas and some mud. There seemed to be less water and mud than during our last trip. Just as we were about to enter the trees a woman came walking toward us and I took Sheena to the side of the trail. As the woman walked by we exchanged greetings. The rail trail runs parallel to the Little Beaverkill and the new section of State Route 17. It follows the route of the O&W railroad and is very flat. The water level in the stream was not quite as high as the last time we had hiked along the trail. As we continued to hike, we passed several benches placed for people to rest in warmer weather. I did not stop at the area just before the wooden walkways and bridge as our objective was to hike as fast as we could. We walked across the long walkway and then we came to the bridge. We already knew the crew had finished their work and had done a great job! They had cleared all of the debris that was blocking the culvert udder the bridge. Large boulders now held back the dirt and stones that often wash down the hillside to block the flow of water through the culvert. The crew had added crushed stone on either side of the bridge to smooth the way on and off the brdige. More stone had been added to fill in the mud pit on the Parksville side. Some fencing had been added and the overall effect was very pleasing. In a very short distance we came to the area where a large mudslide had brought trees and dirt down onto the trail. This area had been partly cleared in the past but the Liberty crew had graded it and added some crusher run. They also removed much of the debris, erected some fencing, and added some hay to help grass to grow back. As we continued I noted the other places where they had done work and all of it seemed to be holding up well. We continued on the trail heading toward the falls. As we walked toward the falls, we could hear an increase in the noise from the stream and I knew the falls was just ahead.
We passed the path down to the falls as I wanted to save time and the falls looked the same as last time. Soon we were nearing the Parksville end of the trail. Many of the rundown buildings had beem removed or were being renovated. Several of the buildings showed that work had been done on them. The large dog across the stream was not present and I missed him. On the Parksville end of the trail we found the small garden and a very informative sign. The pack of barking dogs that always greets us was again present and voicing their concern. The sign listed the businesses and hotels that existed in Parksville during its heyday. The Young's Gap Hotel had room for 600 guests! The sign also explained the role of the railroad in the dairy industry which was a thriving one in all of Sullivan County. It was 1:30 PM when we headed back toward the car. We had covered the walk out in 30 minutes but I knew the walk back was usually quicker. We set what I thought was a faster pace on the way back but that did not stop Sheena from going into full zoomie mode. She was racing ahead and then sprinting back toward us. She added some growling and attempts to bite our feet! We passed the mudslide and the bridges and continued to keep a good pace. We crossed the bridge and the wooden walkway. As we neared the end of the wooded part of trail, I gave Sheena the "With" command and she fell in behind me. We were back at the car at 1:30 PM having walked the return route in 30 minutes. The whole hike took us 1 hour which I judged good.
On Wednesday, June 24th I was scheduled to hike at Walnut Mountain with Lisa at 10:30 AM. Lisa wanted tot show me the work that had been done to create the Walnut Mountain House walking trail. I knew this included signs to explain the history of the Walnut Mountain House and some benches. I had thought Cindy wanted to go with me but at the last minute she decided against it. I had ambulance coverage from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM so I had plenty of time to get in a few miles. By the time I started to get ready at 9:45 AM the temperature was 74 degrees on the back porch with blue skies amd plenty of sun. As I was getting dressed, Sheena sniffed my clothes and became very excited. I got dressed in my Columbia OmniShade long-sleeved shirt without a baselayer. I put on a pair of RailRiders hiking pants which are expensive but last a long time and have features like deep pockets and a generous cut which I really like. I decided to put on my Keen Durand hiking boots which fit well. I added a new pair of Xstance insoles in an effort to find the best support and cushioning for my feet. These insoles have shock absorbing gel pads, TPU arch support, and memory foam cushioning all wrapped in a breathable fabric. The insoles have been hyped by their manufacturer and seemed to be living up to their claims. I grabbed a pair of Leki Makalu Lite poles I have been using for some time because they are light and lock without slipping. I decided to wear my OR BugOut gaiters as a defense against the ticks that are looking for a warm home and a meal! At 10:00 AM I left home and got on State Rt 7 east toward Liberty. I got off at exit 100, tuned right off the traffic circle and headed into town. At the next traffic circle I too the second exit to get on South Main Street and drove to the traffic light. I turned left on Lake Street and followed it until it became State Route 55. In a short distance I turned right on Walnut Mountain Road, drove to the parking area next to the baseball field and parked. There were only two other cars in the lot. One car had just parked and the couple were getting ready to hike. It was only 10:15 AM and I knew I would have to wait for Lisa. The temperature was 76 degrees with sunshine and clouds in a bright blue sky with low humidity and a slight breeze. Lisa arrived at 10:25 AM and we began to get ready to hike stepping off at 10:30 AM.
From the parking area we walked to the gate on the Mountain Overlook which is also a carriageway. The first interpretive sign is located here and ties general overview of the walking tour. From here the trail winds a little as it ascends to a junction with the West Lake West trail. Along the way was the second sign with a newly constructed bench next to it. The bench allows people to take a break if they wish. We continued to the junction with the West Lake West trail which continues straight ahead. We paused a minute before turning left. The Mountain Overlook Trail was now headed southwest as it continued its gentle climb. The third sign was cited at a junction where a trail branched off to the left. This sign pointed out the many rock ledges and had a picture of what they looked like at the turn go the 20th century! We continued straight ahead to the overlook. The view from the overlook was much open but it was a little hazy. It was easy to see down to Swam Lake and several housing developments. The sky was blue with some interesting clouds. I dropped my pack and took out my camera. I took some pictures of the lookout and then turned my attention to the view. I took numerous pictures of the landscapes and some of the sky. After I had finished, we turned around and started back the way we had come. In a short distance, at the trail junction, we stayed to the left and then the right to continue on The Walut Mountain House walking tour which followed the Mountain House Trail. On the right was another sign which pointed out the ledges which used to be wide open and afforded and even more spectacular view. We continued up the trail, which was a slightly steeper climb, until it leveled out. On the left was a large stone foundation which is all that remains of the Walnut Mountain House. It was constructed in 1887 and torn down in 1919. Other structures were built to support in but very little remains of these outbuildings. We turned left to follow a short trail around the foundation reading signs five and six. I dropped my pack and took a number of pictures fighting the bright sun for each shot. The work that has been done us very impressive and Lisa told me about the plans for more research. At this point Lisa had to get back but I had some more time so we parted way.
I had no particular route that I wanted to take and was more constrained by time than distance. I headed for one of the single track bicycle trails amd this one went up to the summit plateau of Walnut Mountain. The summit was wilder than I remembered with high grass and weeds on the trail and impressive stand on briars over the interior. We walked anticlockwise on the barely visible trail until we were on the west side where the trail was more discernable and there were some interesting rock ledges. I stopped to take some shots of the rock ledges and thought it would e nice to be below them to take some pictures from that angle. As we almost completed the loop around the top, I noticed a trail that went down and to the right. Thinking that trail might take us below the ledges, I turned right and started to loop back around the summit plateau im a clockwise direction but one level down. Soon we were looking up at the ledges where we had been looking down! I got out the camera and did the best job I could taking pictures. The problem was that the bright sunlight that made it such a nice day was not conducive to photography! When I was done, I packed up the camera and we continued to follow the single track bike trails until we were back at the site of the Walnut Mountain House. We turned left on the Mounatin House trail and followed it as it wound through several switchbacks until it ended at the Mountain Overlook Trail. We turned left and walked downhill to the junction with the Walnut Loop West Trail. We turned left and after a slight uphill the trail flattened and we passed by the Walnut Loop North trail that turned right and headed out to the West Lake parking area.
We followed the trail as it bent to the left and worked our way passed some large blowdowns across the trail. I was looking for a trail I had cleared for a cross country course. I knew it would be hard to find as it had not been used in at least 5 years and was not maintained. Soon the carriageway we were walking started to gain elevation and I knew I had missed the trail. I decided to retrace my steps to find it. I kept looking for the trail on the right just before the blowdowns. We turned right and started back up the mountain. The trail was actually in good shape until just before it ended and would require only a little maintenance. As we walked up the trail I wondered that I decided to make the course so hilly! At the top we tired right on the Sunset Trail which is mostly flat until it gains a little elevation at the end. This trail end at a junction with the Mountain House Trail and the Mountain Overlook trail. We continued straight ahead and then turned left on the Mountain Overlook trail. There was one hiker at the sign where we turned right on a connector trail and continued downhill to the lower lookout where we turned left on the Walnut Loop South Trail. We followed this passed the lower lookout where ether were new picnic table and a new bench at the edge of an open field. We continued until the trail entered the trees and started downhill passing the disc golf course. We walked by the finish line for the cross country course and then through and old red shale quarry. I look down and saw some arrows painted on the rock indicating the direction of travel for the runners. I was surprised that the painted arrow were still there after several years! We continued out through the trees to the playground and then to the car. It was 1:00PM when we finished. I estimated we had walked over 4 miles with about a 600foot elevation gain.