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Trail proposals:
Elk Pen Loop Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/new-york/elk-pen-loop-trailThis a copy/paste from someone one hiked this trail a couple of weeks ago, it has some interesting info. I’m going to need some rest after this hike so I’m a no to Woodbury Commons.
I have to say I really enjoyed this hike. It had a good mix of ups and downs, and nothing was too difficult. It was a nice change from the typical “vertical run up, summit, vertical run down” hikes that I usually experience. Some good views, varied surfaces and diverse plant life. Wasn’t very busy and after about halfway around, I don’t think I saw anyone.
Total hike time: just under 4 hrs (but I skipped the Island Pond leg).
Direction: Clockwise.
Some Cons to be aware of:
– There was one spot where I had to use my hands to pull myself up, and someone shorter (I’m 5′-8″) or not as strong as me might’ve had trouble without assistance.
– There were several blazes you have to know to switch to. There was no map or guide at the trailhead, so if you don’t have AllTrails Pro and can’t download the map, I highly suggest learning these elsewhere. I can only remember white, white with red dot, L blazes, and white with triangle, but I think there were more.
– Even still, towards the end of the trail, around Surebridge Mountain, the blazes become very inconsistent. Sometimes they just disappear altogether and you’re left walking an uncomfortable distance before you see another one. Other times, I absolutely could not figure out where to go without my Pro map.
– At the waterfall junction around spot 5 on the map, one of the blazes tells you to go straight but you really want to look for the blaze going the other direction that looks like a right turn. (It’s a sharp right turn up the hill for hikers in the opposite direction, so it’ll be a sharp left turn down the hill for you.) It took me a good while to figure this out.
– There were a lot of felled trees lying around, which wasn’t a physical challenge as much as knowing you have to make a slight detour. It can knock you off the trail so be aware.
– I hiked this on 12/30/20, so there were still bits of ice around. It posed some mini challenges here and there for how to forge forward without tumbling down the hill, but they were perfectly doable.
– Very rocky under my feet. I had thick-soled hiking shoes, and I’d recommend the same for anyone else. Four+ hours of mashing your feet into rocky ground can hurt.
– It was also quite muddy, so waterproof shoes are a must!
I highly recommend using Pro for this trail so you can download the map. I would not do the south portion of the trail without it. A very nice hike though.This looks good. I have to move my daughter into college that afternoon, so I’m a no for the Commons.
I am super stoked about this trail, earlier last year I was reading about the “Lemon Squeezer” trail and this looks like it is part of it, here is a detailed article: http://nycdayhiking.com/hikes/ardenLemon7.htm
I’m a question mark RE: The Commons, I should find out bonus info this week which will make or break my conspicuous consumption for the year.
As I said over text I need to be back in Stamford by 2 at the absolute latest.
As I see it, we could head straight after the lemon squeezer, instead of turning left. That might cut off an hour or so. Or we could choose a shorter hike.
Here’s one:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/diamond-mountain-trailBut I don’t like making these decisions. I would like to hear other opinions. I was also excited to do the lemon squeezer.
I’m up for changing the hike to the Diamond Mountain Trail or if we can meet at 7:15am then we should be done by noon.
I did not enjoy driving that early in the morning and I know Forest agrees. So, I think it first makes sense to figure if meeting at 7:15 is doable.So I propose a vote:
Can you be at the trailhead at 7:15am?
I’m a yes.
Jordan, do you think 7:30 would be early enough for you to meet and do the Diamond trail? I think this looks like a good alternative to Elk-Pen.
Yeah I think that works for me.
So … Diamond Mountain Trail at 7:30. (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/diamond-mountain-trail)
Do we need a final vote? Maybe Forest is waiting to be a tie-breaker.
Thanks for being flexible, you guys.
For the record, Forest’s friend’s attendance is A-OK with me.
Just a head’s up that I am not getting MMS (group texts) messages for some reason and have no idea what this morning’s texts were about.
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