Another Hike-Campout Past Green Pond

Another Hike & Campout Past Green Pond

Photos from July 4-5 campout: https://link.shutterfly.com/A8Xy1RVILUb

On Friday, July 4, I left New Rochelle ca. 7:30 a.m. and reached the Kanawauke Rd parking lot where the White Bar Trail crosses (the westernmost of several lots on the road) about 8:40.  There were 2 other cars in the lot, and shortly a couple came down the trail after an early morning trip to Island Pond, and left in one of the cars. They were the only people I saw all day (besides cyclists on the roads).

above Green Pond

I took the WBT a short distance to Island Pond Rd, which took me to the Nurian Trail after 3/4 mile. I bore left (west) to Green Pond (3/10 mile), where I've camped many times with Fr. Jim M., and I reached that site at 9:30.  Some gavones left a big pile of trash there, some of which I picked up on my way back on Saturday.  Another 15 minutes and 2/10 mile (estimated) southward brought me thru a ravine and up to a little plateau where others have established a neat campsite (photos) and I've camped solo several times.

This hike doesn't entail a lot of elevation, unlike my last one.  In many places there were patches of wild blueberries, many of them ripe, and I sampled some.  But overall there weren't a lot of berries.  I got a fleeting view of one deer and heard lots of birds; otherwise, not much fauna this time.

As I unpacked, I realized I'd left my lunches at home in the refrigerator next to my backpack; so lunch (later) consisted of trail mix, nuts, and a granola bar.  But before lunch I celebrated Mass, not having done so before leaving NR; 

then set up my tent.  

I descended to the little creek that runs out of Green Pond to try to get some water--not that I really needed it, but I wanted to try out the new Katadyn water filter that I got with some Xmas gift funds.  That required some experimentation, but eventually I brought up enuf to fill my coffee pot with potable water (which I boiled, besides, for making supper).

The sun was comfortably warm, but other than a bit of exploring the area I sat in the shade to pray the Office and read most of the afternoon.  Having had a light lunch, I started supper at 4:30--freeze-dried chili with beef and some trail mix with Crystal Lite.  

After hanging the rest of my food in a bear bag,

I decided it had gotten cool enuf for a fire and made one easily in the established fire pit, then sat there and read till it got dark. 

Also because of the chill, I put the rainfly onto the tent.  I could hear but not see fireworks from the west (Sloatsburg, Tuxedo, Harriman, Woodbury)--and of course could also hear some traffic from the Thruway and Rte 17.

I retired at 9:30 and slept fitfully (as usual).  I'd erred in bringing just a sleeping bag liner (in view of the hot weather) and had to put on some extra clothes; but I was still uncomfortable.  It was 57 degrees when I got up at 5:30; by 6:00 I was celebrating Mass.  Breakfast was granola cereal with coffee.  After Readings and Morning Prayer, I decided to pack up and head home, not in any rush.  I left camp around 9:00 and, after picking up the trash at the "main camp" above Green Pond, was back at Island Pond Rd at 9:25 and at the parking lot by 10:00.  I met 2 guys hiking toward Island Pond; otherwise, saw no one.

Green Pond

But there were 2 cars parked at the Island Pond Rd trailhead and 10 more (besides mine) in the parking lot.  Obviously, there were hikers out there (some of the cars may also have belonged to bikers).  I snacked on what would've been my lunch if I'd remained in the woods, then headed home and reached NR at 11:00.  All in all, a good trip.