besthike.com

July 9, 2013July 9, 2013

scrambling Moose Peak, WA

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

My FUN adventure in Olympic National Park Washington State.

You MUST have good weather. Otherwise, stay low. Obstruction Point is already high at 6100ft. The summit of Moose is 6753ft (2058m).

It’s mostly gorgeous alpine meadow ridge walk in the direction of Moose Lake. There was some snow left on the trail on July 4th, but nothing to worry about.

Hikers enjoy the wild flowers this early in the season.

Head on the trail towards Grand Lake, Moose Lake, Grand Pass. It’s about 2mi to the “Grand Valley” trail cut-off, elevation 6450ft.

You’ll know you’re there when you see this TRAIL sign.

Some trip reports found the ridge scramble fairly easy.

I actually found it challenging. Depends on the route, I guess. I stayed as high on the ridge as possible on the way out. … Took the lower (obvious) easy trail across the scree on the return.

Fantastic views on top, of course. Those are Grand and Moose Lakes below.

I left a Summit Stone.

LOVE Moose Summit. 🙂

Moose is not named after Moose, surprisingly. It’s named after some guy with the last name of MOOSE.

There is no water high in the Olympics. Bring your own. Or melt snow.

• Explore Olympics – Gary Huff – Moose Mountain

• Summit Post – Moose Peak

July 5, 2013July 2, 2013

Tibetan Bridge in Claviere

This photo of a bridge in Claviere, Italy, about 80 km west of Turin, on the border with France has been widely circulating on the internet.

Looks like FUN. 🙂

Thanks Dana.

July 3, 2013July 1, 2013

East Coast Trail, Newfoundland

Greg and Helen are hiking the East Coast Trail.

more photos on Facebook

July 2, 2013July 2, 2013

Olympic Nat Park starting July 3rd

by site editor Rick McCharles

I’ll likely start at Hurricane Ridge, in the direction of Deer Park.

That could change when I get local advice while collecting my Wilderness (Backpacking) Permit.

Maximum 4 nights.

I’m most interested in the eastern (higher) side of the Park. The rain shadow.

Clever Hiker – video tutorials

Our 10 episode video series – Lightweight & Ultralight Backpacking Foundations – and our Gear Recommendations eBook are the complete learning package for any backpacker interested in lightweight backpacking, thru-hiking, or simply carrying a more comfortable pack.

$24.95
details

Click PLAY or watch an introduction YouTube.

July 1, 2013June 28, 2013

scrambling Breakneck Ridge, NY

Disappointed with the other day hikes I’d checked close to NY City, I made a special trip to the best of the best.

Breakneck Ridge is a mountain along the Hudson River … Its distinctive rocky cliffs are visible for a long distance …

… Lying within Hudson Highlands State Park, it offers many stunning views of the river and region and is quite popular with hikers, to the point that a rail flag stop has been established on the Metro North line which runs right by the base of the ridge along NY 9D.

While several routes exist, most hikers take the white-blazed route up the mountain’s west face that begins on the West (Southbound) side of Route 9D near the tunnel.

After circling around to cross above the tunnels, it begins a steep, rocky and challenging climb up to the first bump of the mountain, about 720 feet (219 m) above the river, where there are sweeping views of the river and Highlands. …

Here’s that first “bump”, this flagpole.

As a former gymnast, I loved it. Using my hands as much as possible.

Scramble

The only time my heart rate jumped above 180 beats / minute was when I nearly stepped on this BIG BLACK (possibly deadly, I assumed) Western rat snake.

(Or is it a northern black racer?)

I left a Summit Stone atop the highest point I could find.

Trip report by Big City girl Amy Cao:

With its close proximity to New York City (only an eighty-minute train ride from Grand Central), stunning vistas of the Hudson, Storm King Mountain, Mount Taurus and West Point Academy, it’s no wonder why Breakneck Ridge is an immensely popular hiking destination for those seeking to escape the frenetic city pace, if just for a day.

Repeatedly voted as one of the best trails in the country, Breakneck Ridge offers 5.5 miles of challenging rock climbs and rugged hikes for even the most seasoned Eagle Scout. You’ll need all four limbs to scramble up the first mile when suddenly the vertical ascent will have you scrunching your brow at how you managed to get stuck—and without safety equipment—between a rock and a hard place, with no way to go but up. The adrenaline is pumping at this point. …

I scrambled up and down. But you could opt for the Breakneck Ridge Loop.

MAP (PDF)

more photos of my day hike

yet more photos – Breakneck Ridge & Sugarloaf Mountain Hike

I rented a car. Tented at Beaver Pond Campground – Harriman State Park. Quiet mid-week, party central on summer weekends.

June 30, 2013June 28, 2013

Long Path, NY

The Long Path is a 347.4-mile (559.1 km) long-distance hiking trail beginning at the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey and ending at Altamont, New York, in the Albany area.

While not yet a continuous trail, relying on road walks in some areas, it nevertheless takes in many of the popular hiking attractions west of the Hudson River, such as the New Jersey Palisades, Harriman State Park, the Shawangunk Ridge and the Catskill Mountains. …

Plans call for it to be extended through the Adirondacks to the Canadian border.

Unlike the Appalachian Trail, I actually set out to day hike the Long Path.

But didn’t go far.

The tree locked trails of the eastern USA simply don’t engage a guy from the Rockies. It’s mostly a green tunnel out here.

I left a Summit Stone with this caterpillar, … and turned back.

No Long Path for me.

Here’s a glimpse of the kind of terrain we’re talking about.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

via NJ Hiking

June 29, 2013June 28, 2013

Perkins Tower, Appalachian Trail, NY

Gone Hiking posted an excellent write-up of an 8 mile off-season section hike of the Appalachian Trail, climbing to Perkins Tower.