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Harriman Backpacking - 1/00
Almost a year ago to the day, a backpacking trip in Harriman was cut short due to an injury on the trail resulting from dangerously icy conditions. Those who attended last January would agree that it will be a long time before that ill-fated trip will be forgotten. What a difference a year makes! This January, we returned to the Bear Mountain Inn once again to attempt that exact same route, but this time without the sheet of ice that caused last year's nightmare. In fact, conditions were great with sunny skies, no snow or ice, and no unseasonably cold temperatures. Seven Scouts and six adults enjoyed a fun-filled weekend.
Beginning at the Bear Mountain Inn parking lot just after 9:00, our group headed south on the 1777 trail and then onto the Cornell Mine trail towards Bald Mountain. It was about three-quarters of the way up this mountain last year that we were forced to turn around (the fun on that day had just been beginning at that point), but this year we made excellent time, stopping only for brief water breaks and to shed layers. Gerad, on his first-ever backpacking trip with 75, led the group at an outstanding pace on the steady incline towards Bald Mountain's summit, from which some excellent views could be had. From there, we moved southwest along the Ramapo-Dunderburg trail, stopped briefly for lunch, and after another climb, arrived at the summit of the Timp. This is one of Harriman's most magnificent viewpoints, and with the clear sky we could see for miles in all directions.
From the Timp there was only about a mile hike to our shelter. Veteran Scouts who had hiked the Timp before remembered a very steep, rocky descent on the trail leading northwest towards the shelter, but the trail had since been re-routed, making the hike somewhat easier. One last climb awaited on our final stretch towards the shelter, and we arrived at our campsite around 2:30. With the short daylight hours of winter, there was no time to waste before setting up camp, getting water, and cooking dinner. Both patrols as well as the adults were done eating by dark, by which time the temperature had dipped below freezing, prompting the need for a campfire. Our Philmont tradition of Thorns and Roses, during which each crew member highlights high and low points of the day, has carried on into regular campouts, and the thorns for this day were far outweighed by the roses. About half the group headed straight for the warmth of their sleeping bags right after thorns and roses while the other half (mainly the older Scouts and the younger of the adult leaders) stayed up awhile longer enjoying the fire.
Packing up on Sunday morning went about as quickly as any given morning on the trail at Philmont, thanks to the idea of eating a cold breakfast on the trail rather than wasting time making oatmeal and cleaning up afterwards. Up at 7:15, were on the trail by shortly after 8:00. After Saturday's tiring hike of about five miles and some tough inclines, we opted for the shorter route back to the Bear Mountain Inn, heading roughly north along the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail. This route was less than four miles and included only one really tough uphill stretch, allowing for a great pace. Even with a breakfast stop, we arrived back at the Inn around 11:00.
We had the pleasure of having with us Eagle Scout Rob Meade. Rob made Eagle with Troop 75 back in 1994 and has returned as a member of the committee. He was joined by fellow Eagles Rob Yong and Chris Boundy along with Mike B., Rob C., Keith, Gerad, Tim, Andrew, Mike S., Mr. Buono, Mr. Carlson, and Mr. Johnston. Gerad did great for his first time out as did Andrew, the only represented member of the Guide patrol (other than the Guide himself). All in all, it was a great weekend, the only downside being the lack of Scout attendance. We hope to see more of you out there next time!
