Hike #154
Hike 154
Rick and I on Dutch Shoe Rock
11/14/4
For my next hike, I had posted another new one, a loop in High Point State Park I had
planned to do for quite a long time. Beginning at Deckertown Turnpike, I would follow the
Appalachian Trail north to High Point, loop around on the Monument Trail, then return to
Deckertown Turnpike via the Iris Trail. It seemed like the obvious route to do, and it
looked like a good hike. Though many had expressed interest in this hike, I was joined by
only two.
Viewpoint along the AT in High Point State Park
View along the AT, High Point SP
View from Dutch Shoe Rock of Lake Rutherford
View of Sawmill Lake, High Point SP from the AT
Tom Straus, who had done a few of my hikes already, and newcomer Rick Hudson. Rick
was working on trying to hike the entire AT, and this included a section he needed to
complete.
I believe we met at the Port Colden Mall, and then carpooled to the beginning. I was
surprised to see that there was a bit of snow already on the ground across the Kittatinny
Ridge! Fortunitely, it did not deter us at all. I remember thinking I possibly should have
dressed warmer, as I was wearing another suit jacket with a collared shirt, as well as my
Indiana Jones style hat Cathy bought me at the Marshall’s Creek Flea Market. We headed
out on the trail, which was a little slippery at first, but we were alright. I was taking
pictures for a future winter vistas article for Skylands, and we crossed a gas line with a
nice view of the Wallkill Valley. We continued on, as the AT crossed our return route, the
Iris Trail (it crossed the Iris Trail three times through the route). We soon made our way to
Dutch Shoe Rock, a large slanted rock outcropping with a nice view to the northeast to
Lake Rutherford. We followed a side trail down Dutch Shoe Rock to the Rutherford
Shelter. I always like to have a look at the shelters at least once just to be there. We talked
to some hikers who were staying there, and I believe they thought I was a preacher or
something, as they were quite surprised at my attire.
AT in High Point SP
Tripod rock at High Point just off the AT
View north from High Point NJ
View up the Shawangunk Ridge from High Point
View into NY/NJ from High Point
View from Monument Trail, High Point
Monument Trail, High Point
We continued on with some continueous views across Dutch Shoe Rock, then through a bit
of a gap to another west facing ridge over Sawmill Lake which was quite lovely. The trail
eventually led us out to the parking area near the High Point State Park Office. We went
inside and picked up some literature before moving on. The next section I had done already
on my north Jersey hike on 7/18, but I had missed an interesting balanced rock just off the
trail to the west. Tom went up for a closer look, as it seemed to be a sort of tripod, with
three small boulders holding up one large one.
We continued on the AT, climbing onto the observation deck, which was slippery with
ice. Tom almost took a spill there. We continued into the gully where the AT heads into the
great valley and drowned lands, and continued straight on the Monument Trail which is
coaligned with the Shawangunk Ridge Trail, a project which was part of the Long Path,
another long distance trail, to move a section of long road walking. The plan never worked
and the Shawangunk Ridge trail became merely a spur of the Long Path.
We continued up the Monument trail across the access road, and the trail began to follow
what appeared to be an earlier road briefly. We came out below the High Point Monument,
which we could not access as it was under construction. It had long been closed,
reportedly because the stairs were unsafe, but was scheduled to reopen soon.
We admired the great views of NJ and NY in the Wallkill Valley, and the wonderful
views of the Delaware Valley and area sorrounding Port Jervis, NY. We could also see up
the Shawangunk Ridge into NY state, as well as south along the Kittatinnies and well out
into the Poconos.
The monument trail led us along the ridge with a few more views, then through thick
woods before turning back southwest. I was very excited, as this was the furthest
continueous north I had ever hiked with all of the connecting hikes! The cedar swamp in the
area I have been told is the highest elevation cedar swamp of it’s kind in the world.
View from Monument Trail, High Point
We continued on the Monument Trail, which took us along a secondary ridge parallel to
the main Kittatinny Ridge with some terrific views into Port Jervis and the Delaware
Valley again. When we reached the end of the trail, we made our way along the roads to
the west side of Lake Marcia where a mansion once stood called the Kuser Mansion. We
had our lunch break here before continueing on. The reflection of High Point Monument
shone beautifully on Lake Marcia.
High Point Monument over Lake Marcia
Tom and I at the Kuser Mansion site, High Point SP
On the other side of Lake Marcia, we walked the road out to Rt 23 and made our way back
onto the AT a short distance to the Iris Trail. We had passed some hikers who told me I
was the best dressed hiker they’d ever seen!
The Iris Trail followed a woods road, which led us out along Lake Rutherford, which was
quite pretty, and after that past some land which looked very private, and posted all the
way around. We continued on this trail, which was rather easy, all the way back out to
Deckertown Turnpike. Though the map had showed us there would be a view from the
power line the second time crossing it, I would find no views there. We completed the hike
in surprisingly good time.
On the way home we stopped in at the Newton Acme to get Acme brand chocolate milk.
Tom and I both are quite fond of chocolate milk, and I highly recommended Acme brand,
so we had to stop for some. Tom and I sprinted through Acme to the chocolate milk, where
he found in addition to the Acme brand a half gallon of Lehigh Valley Farms chocolate
milk! He was delighted, and got one of each (he like the Acme brand as well!).
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