McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 9/26/2024 | AT Mile 836.5 | Day Total: 14.5 miles | Gain: 1992 ft

Slow rainy start to the morning. Last night after journaling I discovered that the movie theater was only operational (for off-season) Friday through Sunday. I spent some time in consider my options. I really really wanted to go to the movie theater but didn’t necessarily need a zero. I eventually decided it was time for zero. So today I’ll hike 14.5 miles into town and then wait till Friday to watch a movie. I’m overdue for a bed, shower and laundry anyway.

I didn’t start hiking until 9 this morning. I spent sometime researching where to stay tonight and procrastinating walking in the rain. Luckily I am on top of the mountain for most of the day today just some little ups and downs. What I didn’t expect was it to be so rocky. With the combination of it made the rocks very slippery.

If it wasn’t for the Rain and fog there would have been some really good views today. I can’t complain much because it’s been so dry lately. In fact I’m half glad it’s raining because I’ve had to put more thought in where to collect water because a lot of sources were dry.

Not much happened for the first 7 miles. Walk, think about cozy stay tonight, slip on rock, keep walking… oh NY/NJ boarder!

Walk some more… ooooo foggy lake! Walk…

About 10 miles down I settled into Wawayanda Shelter for lunch. It was good timing as it downpoored for the next 30 minutes. Not that it mattered because I was already drenched.

I had 4 1/2 miles after lunch to the road where I’ll heading into town. I have to make my way about 500 feet up to Wawayanda Mountain. I could tell that it was a popular day hike, although not so popular with the rainy weather today. The trails are wide and there are lots of rock steps as I descended the mountain.

At this point in the day, the rain has died down and it’s mostly just falling off the trees as the wind blows. I did get a small glimpse of Heaven Hill Farm (market) as I walked down.

Once I was down by the parking area, I made the short walk to Heaven Hill Farm. I got a ride to my room for the night. There is a deli down the street and a bunch of restaurants in town a little further away.

I decided to keep it simple, went down to the deli and got an Italian combo hero, bag of chips and an Arnold Palmer. I got back and settled in for the night, spreading my gear around the room like a yard sale. I setup the ironing table next to the ac unit to blow stuff dry after I gave it a quick wash.

Looking forward to a dry and good nights rest.