Solitude/privacy: 4.5 (weekend trip in the summer… you figure it out)
Environment & Nature: 4
Available Activities: 5
Staff & Park Officials: NA
Accessibility: 5

I’m back again in this park

and this time Karen came along with me and Dusty.  During my last trip I went up North of off RT 106. This time we decided to head south.  Since we got to the park pretty late in the day and without a definitive trail/loop planned out, we went on the whim and just started hiking.  Ones we reached the first peak on red trail, we sat down to rest and figure out where we’re going.

As I’ve mentioned in the previous review, this park has some amazing elements: lakes, streams, and animals.  The views however, aren’t that exciting.  Ones you spend 30 to 40 minutes climbing up, drenched with sweat, heart beating like a snare drum in your ear, and mouth dry…. don’t expect a breathtaking view.  Itll be quiet disappointing and bland but do feel accomplished!

As forest slowly turned dark,

we found a pretty good spot to set up our camp.  I quickly set up my Coleman Hooligan 2 Backpacking Tent (check out my written & video review on it) while Karen collected firewood.  After a few shots of some old raspberry vodka from a flask and a can of soup, we hit the hay.

Oh how fun the night was for us.  Between the uncomfortable mat, sky going ablaze from lightning far away, something creeping around our tent the whole night long, and some creature imitating a very loud child’s scream for help somewhere in the distance (extremely terrifying), me and Karen regretted bringing only one flask for two of us.

The morning came too soon.

After such exciting night, I only fell asleep about an hour before dusk.  We slowly crawled out of our tent, packed it up and off we went.  The rest of the hike was a bit strenuous due to lack of comfortable rest and heavy gear.  A few hours later we were at the car heading towards Tuxedo, NY for some coffee and grill cheese sandwich with tomato by the Metro North Station.

Overall,

Karen, Dusty, and I are very happy that we made this journey.  Make sure to check out the video review for additional exciting material about this hike!