Hike #425 7/5/9
7/5/9 Appalachian Trail; Tiorati Circle (Harriman) to Fitzgerald Falls (Monroe) NY with Kyle Zalinsky, Amanda Rosanblatt, Joe Tag, Jim "Mr. Buckett" Mathews, Shelly Janes, "DJ Ray" Cordts,and Eric Pace.
Along the AT on Surebridge Mountain, Harriman SP
This hike made me feel powerful. There was a great deal of elevation on this one. Many ups and downs along the entire route, but I handled it easily despite the fatigue from partying all night before. Kyle, Amanda, and I were fast as hell. I felt like we were the elite, the alpha team of my huge hiking family. We could party hard and then run up something like Agony Grind without a break. I was physically and emotionally tougher than I'd been in years and loving every bit of it.
Lake Tiorati in Harriman State Park NY
At Lake Tiorati
Along Tiorati Trail, Harriman
Appalachian Trail near Lake Tiorati, Harriman SP
Harriman SP, along AT
AT in Harriman SP, Fingerboard Mountain
Along AT in Harriman SP
Along the AT in Harriman SP
Greenwood Mine, Harriman SP
Along the AT in Harriman
Greenwood Mine, Harriman SP
Greenwood Mine, Harriman SP
Greenwood Mine, Harriman SP
Tripod rock in Harriman SP
Along the AT on Surebridge Mountain, Harriman SP
Along the AT on Surebridge Mountain, Harriman SP
Along Island Pond Mountain heading toward the Lemon Squeezer
Descending Island Pond Mountain to Lemon Squeezer
Lemon Squeezer on the AT, Harriman SP
Lemon Squeezer on the AT, Harriman SP
Lemon Squeezer on the AT, Harriman SP
Lemon Squeezer on the AT, Harriman SP
Island Pond
Island Pond
AT crossing the NY Thruway on Arden Valley Road
Kyle being a maniac, crossing the NY Thru Way walking on the guard rail of Arden Valley Road
Ascending Agony Grind on the AT
View on the way up Agony Grind
View from Agony Grind
View from the top of Agony Grind
View above Agony Grind on the AT
Somewhere near Mombasha Road
Little Dam Lake on the AT
Little Dam Lake on the AT
Little Dam Lake on the AT
Heading up Buchanon Mountain on the AT
Heading up Buchanon Mountain on the AT
View on Buchanon Mt. on the AT
AT near Mombasha Road near Prospect Mountain
Puncheon on the AT west of Mombasha Road
Somewhat of a view at Mombasha High Point
Along the AT, Mombasha area
Descending toward Fitzgerald Falls
Descending toward Fitzgerald Falls
Fitzgerald Falls, upper part
Fitzgerald Falls
Fitzgerald Falls
Fitzgerald Falls
Fitzgerald Falls
AT below Fitzgerald Falls
AT below Fitzgerald Falls
End of the hike!
My next hike would bring us on the next section of the Appalachian Trail northbound from where we'd last left off near Fitzgerald Falls in NY, at the eastern base of the Bellvale Mountain. Joining me this time would be Kyle Zalinsky, Amanda Rosenblatt, Joe Tag, "DJ Ray" Cordts, Shelly Janes, "Amish Paul" Hassler, Jim "Mr. Buckett" Mathews, and Eric Pace. After leaving a couple cars near Fitzgerald Falls, we shuttled our way up to Harriman State Park (0-0ab) at Tiorati Circle to begin the hike. I did'nt know it, but we had to pay to park at this location. While everyone was getting situated I went to take a dip in the beach at Lake Tiorati (1). When I got out Kyle had bought me an ice pop (2). Soon, everyone was together and we began following the Tiorati Trail parallel with a road up to the Appalachian Trail. Joe Tag was wearing a crazy Captain Morgan pirate hat as we walked (3). We turned left, heading southbound on the AT passing by a giant water tank (3a-3ad), then ascended a bit over a few rocky outcroppings, though there were no views (3b,3c). I also found another tripod rock just off the trail (4). We continued from here soutbound on the AT (5-5c) until we reached an old mine site. I can't remember the name of it, but it was merely a water filled pit now (6-6ce). We then continued on to the junction with the Long Path (6cf-6d). At this point, Shelly and Amish Paul turned back following the Long Path while the rest of us continued on (6e-6n). The rest of us continued on (7-9) and passed through the "Lemon Squeezer", a tight and steep spot in the rocks the AT passes through. We had a fun time climbing around on it (10-16). We continued along the AT and took a side trip to Island Pond, a beautiful large lake in the mountains. My girlfriend Jillane had told me to go for a swim there, which of course we did. However, when we arrived a park employee was there collecting garbage and he told us to get out of the water. We did, and he told us rangers were on the way. We hurried along and got away just before the rangers showed up. We were all dressed and in our hiking gear at the AT crossing of the access road when the rangers went by in their vehicle. We continued along the AT and crossed some interesting sluiceways that must have had something to do with the water bodies up there, but I don't remember what (17-21ac). We continued along the AT heading south, crossing over many more rock outcroppings, then making a quite steep descent to a valley area, passing an open field, then came out to a main road (I think it was Seven Lakes Drive). We crossed over the NY State Thru Way, and Kyle walked along the top of the guard rail, which was insane (22-23).
We also mooned traffic. After this, we hurried to get into the woods on the opposite side where we began to ascend "Agony Grind", a very steep ascent with a great view from the top (24-28).
We continued on, crossing few roads and going up and down over many small hills, over little streams, and passing small ponds and lakes (29-34). There were a couple more viewpoints on the route (I think one was Mombasha High Point, but I could be wrong) which was pretty nice (35). We continued on through wetlands and woods (36-38), and along the way Kyle found a moth which he put on Mr. Buckett (39, Mr. Buckett hates moths) and then we made our final descent to Fitzgerald Falls which was fantastic. It was a real treat because our last visit the falls was almost completely dry (40-43ae). We got on the AT and followed it through the low wetlands back to our cars to finish a great hike (44-46).
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