Backpacking the Appalachian Trail: New Jersey section

by Perette Barella

This travelogue follows a 2017 hike of the Appalachian Trail, starting at the Delaware Water Gap and heading north through New Jersey and southern sections of New York.

Contents

Sunfish Pond
Taking a break on the southern short of Sunfish Pond.
Sunfish Pond
A few of Sunfish pond from the west shore.
Worthington State Forest
A vista on the Appalachian Trail in the Worthington State Forest in New Jersey.

1. AMC Mohecan Outdoor Center

2017-06-02 20:36

I've made it about 9 miles to the AMC Mohecan Outdoor Center. Feet sore but recovering, no blisters. Thanks to my mom for driving me down here.

Blairstown, NJ
A vista on the Appalachian Trail in Blairstown, NJ.
Catfish Fire Tower
Catfish Fire Tower.
Catfish Fire Tower view
The vista from the top of the Catfish Fire Tower.
Catfish Fire Tower view
The vista from the top of the Catfish Fire Tower.
Catfish Fire Tower view
The vista from the top of the Catfish Fire Tower.
Water Gap National Recreation Area vista
A vista on the Appalachian Trail in the Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Blooming bush
Blooming bush.
Blooming bush
Blooming bush.

2. Brink Shelter

2017-06-04 06:55

I stayed in the Brink Shelter last night. Long day yesterday, intending to do a short day today. Hoping the coming rain won't be too bad.

3. Mosey's Place

2017-06-05 and 2017-06-06

Afterthought: There were a few rainy days, so I stayed at Mosey's Place, a hostel in Port Jervis. Mosey was a great hostess (a hiker herself), and there were several other hikers taking advantage of the hostel given the weather.

Socializing at Mosey's Place
Socializing at Mosey's Place.
Appalachian Trail vista in Glenwood, NJ
Appalachian Trail vista in Glenwood, NJ.
The Pochuck boardwalk
The Pochuck boardwalk carries the Appalachian Trail through the wetlands and over the Pochuck river.
Turtles sunning in a creek along the Pochuck Boardwalk.
Turtles sunning in a creek along the Pochuck Boardwalk..
A flowering bush along the Pochuck Boardwalk.
A flowering bush along the Pochuck Boardwalk..
Pochuck Boardwalk bridge
Approaching suspension bridge over the Pochuck creek.
Suspension bridge over the Pochuck creek
Suspension bridge over the Pochuck creek.
Bog bridges
Bog bridges cross a field, with the "Stairway to Heaven" (the assent up Wawayanda Mountain) up ahead.
Snake in the grass
A snake hides in the grass alongside the bog bridges.
Snake in the grass
Hi there, I'm Satan, and I'm cute!
A backpacker's snack
A snack before ascending the stairway to heaven.
Vista from Wawayanda Mountain
A heavenly view: Perette on Wawayanda Mountain, after ascending the "stairway to heaven".
A view of the Vernon valley from Wawayanda Mountain.
A view of the Vernon valley from Wawayanda Mountain..

4. Wawayanda Shelter

2017-06-07 21:02

At Wawayanda shelter or whatever it is tonight. Hard day, 2 big hills to go up, but also went through the pretty boardwalk dad talked about. Tomorrow planning 12 miles to next shelter.

Net nice girl Claire today, a teacher from cinncinnatti. We're talking about going into town and renting a room the night after tomorrow so she can resupply, and to avoid a stay at a bear infested shelter. I'm glad she's here, having a friend makes it easier to keep going. Commeraderie and all that.

At a shelter but staying in my tent tonight. It's so weird having the net with me on this trip, out here right now, in the middle of the woods.

Vista of Greenwood Lake
A view from the ridge in Warwick, NY, looking east toward Greenwood Lake.
Vista on the Appalachian Trail in Warwick, NY
Vista on the Appalachian Trail in Warwick, NY.
Vista of Greenwood Lake
The trail behind: looking back at Greenwood Lake, from further north along the Appalachian Trail
Banana split
A banana split after many miles over granite slabs and rough trail.
Vista
A view from the ice cream shop.
View of the Catrocks from a distance
The trail ahead: A view of the Catrocks in the distance.
Cat rocks
The cat rocks: a sort of catwalk of rocks...
Catrocks photoshopped
...or does it get its name because of all the cats?

5. Wildcat Shelter

2017-06-08 21:08

It was nice to hear a familiar voice earlier today when I called my mom. Doing better after finishing the day and eating food, but still feel worn down. Hiking partner Claire has some foot blisters, toughing it out for now.

At Wildcat Shelter tonight. Intending to look into rooms in an upcoming town for tomorrow.

Fitzgerald Falls, Monroe, NY
Fitzgerald Falls, Monroe, NY.
Claire Dickman
After passing each other a few times, Claire and I ended up hiking together for about 2 days.
Claire Dickman
A shot of Claire with her pack on. She is a tough, strong, determined woman.
Perette Barella on the Appalachian Trail
Dropping pack to rest a little
Perette Barella
Me with my pack on.
Bog bridges through a forest
Bog bridges through a forest.
Sterling Forest in Tuxedo Park, NY
Sterling Forest in Tuxedo Park, NY.

Afterthought: I got to Tuxedo Park with Claire, and we rented a room. I'd been feeling emotionally jittery for at least 2 days, and after we got there, anxiety really set in. I eventually acknowledged I needed to stop, and made arrangements with my mom to collect me.