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New Jersey

I did encounter a turtle on the trail today

Kevin

by Kevin

Slowly, but surely, I feel like I am hiking the mountains of Appalachia once more. All the views to the east today had multiple ridge lines, the first time in a while it was not just simply a never ending valley.

Wake up call was 5:20AM. After completing the usual morning chores I was on trail at 6:05AM.

The climb to the summit of Sunrise Mountain was slippery due to the rain storm that moved through last night. On the summit there was a nice pavilion made of stone which had views to the east and west. I have come to immensely enjoy the views that the NJ AT offers, mainly because it is completely different from PA.

At Mashipacong Shelter, if you don't pay close attention, you may well loose the trail. When you pop out of the woods into the open field with the shelter there's a well beaten path straight ahead. However, the trail curves to the left of the shelter. I was fortunate to remain on trail, but Cookie ended up walking an extra mile.

High Point Monument was nothing special. The view from the top is the exact same one afforded below. The side trail was poorly marked and there was a persistent wind at the base of the tower.

After that, it was smooth sailing to the cabin junction. The trail spent most of the time in the woods, but every now and then it would meander through an interesting open field.

I did encounter a turtle on the trail today, a first in my hiking life. It was relaxing in the middle of the trail when I stumbled upon it. Never did I think I would encounter a turtle on the AT before encountering a bear.

Jim Murray has a nice set up here for long distance here for long distance hikers(only). There is a hot shower, running water, electricity, and donkeys/mules scattered about an open field. There is also a cabin with an upper floor for hikers to sleep on.

Cookie and I decided to walk one mile to Unionville, NY for some ice cream, which hit the spot for me.

Tomorrow I have my eyes set on Vernon, NJ, where I need to resupply and picke up some mail.

I would like to wish the best of luck to southbounders, whose hiking season unofficially began today.

And that's the way it was.

Kirby

Ga>ME 2008.

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