The actual hike was only one mile; 50 minutes in the snow.
it was the short loop – the Annsville Creek Trail – in the Hudson Highlands Gateway Park. It’s a few minutes from the Annsville Traffic circle and only about three minutes from the Cortlandt Colonial Restaurant. Besides being well-marked by red tags, there was a clear narrow trail, made by a snowmobile.
It was my turn to come up with the hike, since Jeanne Marie had organized the first of the year – Turkey Mountain. Also in cold and wind! I figured that given the weather conditions, a short hike on terrain that we hadn’t visited before, would work. I would have preferred the longer, blue blazed hike in the same park, but the entry from Sprout Brook Road – there was no visible trail, and no blue tags.
This entry is at the end of Doris Lee Drive – L to R: Karen Riner, Brigid, Mike Riner, Jeanne Marie
Up and away –
the frozen and snow-covered pond
Annsville Creek –
Moving along –
Here you can see how close the trail is to Rte 9.
And it was here that I started to get suspicious that Brigid and Jeanne Marie had the same coat, in different colors. And I was right – from LLBean with a synthetic lining! Brigid inherited hers from the boys.
Here’s where we settled in for some tea – we’d brewed some tea on the first hike – very important. I had my msr pocket rocket stove, the propane, 2 quarts of water, and a 1 quart pot. Only issue – I forgot the tea bags … duh … DUFUS. Oh well. Made it up later.
Nice lids. And fashionable high viz red.
The four Horseman of the Apocalypse. And four nice lids. For those not in the know, Mike and I both went to Stepinac and were roommates at Fairfield.
Heading back – the snowy landscape is pretty stark.
Having blown it on the tea, the only thing to do was head up to The Stadium for a drink.
That’s a Guinness at each end (Farandas!), a Chardonnay, a Harp and a Black and Tan. Note seating arrangement with Jeanne Marie b/w Mike and Tom.
But Jeanne Marie then upgrades (quietly she thought) her seat – it is The Stadium – and joins Brigid and Karen! it was noted!!
A good day! Jeanne Marie is in charge of the next Hike of the Month, probably March 21st or 22nd.
Thanks for sharing. Looks like a good one.
What do you wear on your feet? Just hiking boots, or something extra?
Laurie, normally I wear my LLBean trail hiker low cut boots, which have a waterproof lining. That’s what I wore on the first hike. Or if I’m not expecting any wet, a much lighter pair of new balance trail runner shoes. However for this hike in the snow I wore an older pair of real hiking boots by LLBean, which have a gore tex lining.
On this hike Brigid wore her LLbean “Bean Boot” which used to be called the Maine Hunting shoe. It has the rubberized bottom and leather upper. It also is the insulated variety – if the Bean Boot were a non insulated one, you couldn’t wear it in the cold.
ALSO – very important – we use the HOTHANDS toe warmer that attach to the forefoot of your sock -they are great! go here – http://www.amazon.com/HotHands-Toe-Warmers-40-pairs/dp/B0007ZF4PE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425135698&sr=8-1&keywords=hothands+toe+warmers
No crampons, then.
No, a;though Mike wore some sort of crampony type thing over his shoes. They were short.
You all look so happy, and no wonder such a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing.
Ellen M.