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| A foto of the one of the few guys who has walked the entire Long Path |
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| A funny start near an old railroad bridge |
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| I like this, "No danger. Trespassing." |
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| I felt like I was in Stand By Me |
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| The view from High Knob. The Thruway down below. |
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| Kind of gunk-like |
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| Hudson River Valley with Mt Beacon and Storm King |
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| Storm King (the arts) in foreground. Storm King (the mountain) in background to right. |
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| Looking north to Stewart Airport |
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| The Maniac Clown having some lunch |
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| Hudson River and Newburgh-Beacon Bridge |
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| Megaliths |
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| On the summit |
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| Long Path and the Maniac |
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| The Maniac contemplating |
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| Again, the Maniac contemplating |
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Another of my sunshots
The first time I had the pleasure of hiking with the Maniac Clown was on Schunnemunk about five years ago. I recall there was some snow up high. The Maniac envisioned having his snowboard and boarding down some of the different slopes we walked by. On this day the Maniac envisioned having his oown mountain, putting lights up and having his own ski track around the mountain. Yes, this would be another classic walk.
We started off route 32 just north of Highland Mills. We immediately picked up the Long Path, familiar territory for the MC. The walk started out along the railroad. I couldn't help but think of Stand By Me. But on this day we would not be searching for a body. At least we hoped not.
The trail then climbed to over 1,000 feet to High Knob. Great views from High Knob. The views north were somewhat obstructed by the McMansions down below. I often bitch about that shit, but I am quite grateful I can hike on Schunnemunk. Many of the views from Schunnemunk afford views of suburbia. Regardless, Schunnemunk is a worthwhile destination. The views of the Thruway (which I happen to travel quite often) were pretty freakin cool. Great views to the east of the ridge from Mt Beacon to Breakneck could be made out. The sculptures of the Storm King Art Center and Storm King Mountain could also be viewed.
In between all the missed turns I made (it's been a long while since I have lost trail as much as I did today and that includes herd paths) the MC and I discussed why we thought Schunnemunk was kind of like the Gunks. Is it because it rhymes? Probably. Schunnemunk is more like other Lower Hudson Valley hikes I've been on. But that won't keep the MC and I from thinking we were hiking at Gunks-lite.
Here some video: here and here. |
Dude, great slide show! Awesome. Also, yet another good sun shot. That camera and your eye are really working well together.
ReplyDeleteThe MC's a changed man since that first hike the 3 of us went on. Glad to see that he's still wearing sweaters and shorts and tights on hikes. I also recognize his blue hat, but I think that jacket might be new. Wish I could have been there with you guys. I'm sure it was a great day out.
S-munk is a great hike. That stretch of the thru-way between Woodbury up until a little south of Albany is freaking awesome. It is quite gunk like on the plateau. Both of those places have the pines and conglomerate rocks. From the northwestern side of the s-munk plateau, you get a good look at the gunk ridge. I'd be curious as to why they look the same but are separated.
Despite what you read in the travel guides, travelling around Chile has made me appreciate even more the nature that's in NY and the U.S. in general. We've got some precious, precious places in the states. The gunks, the castskills, the hudson highlands, the taconics, the birkshires. The hudson river valley. Awesome.
You ever visit the sculpture park? i went there once quite a while ago. Really enjoyed it.
I haven't been there, but I do plan to visit in the spring when it reopens.
ReplyDeleteI love this blog/journal and I envy you. I live in Northern Westchester and have hiked most of the East Highlands, BM and Harriman trails. I especially love Fahnestock. You should do Candlewood Hill and Earls Chimney which have the best views in the park. Sadly, I do mostly shorter hikes (10 mies tops) as my 56 year old multi op knees can only take so much and I take my 2 loyal hounds with me so I avoid scrambly type treks like Breakneck and the Torne which I have done sans pooches. The Tremper hike brought back great memories as I used to live on the Esopus as a kid in the summers and did that with my dad many times. Keep up the great hiking, awesome photos and recaps of your adventures. God Bless. Maybe I'll catch you on the rail some day! Peace - TheGup
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