7/20/99 High Point Monument   Miles Today : 19 Miles to Katahdin : 846.1

AM Report

Wow, I haven't done one of these in a while. I just need to get down two quick things. First, Drive-By showed up just after 9:00 with Peach Buzz in tow. Nothing like a little night hiking to make up the miles.

Also, Leigh showed up 15 minutes after those two guys. Leigh is fresh from a Rainbow Gathering and decided that she wants to live out in the woods. She came out here with no experience, mediocre equipment and about 1/2 a clue. Peach Buzz was trying to help her and was saying things like 1) It's better to attach everything to your pack so that you don't have to carry things in you HANDS or 2) get a better water container than an old gallon jug. There were more, but she has no idea how to survive out here.

Oh well, that's it for now. More bad rocks today but that should disappear in 17 miles at the High Point in New Jersey. Go Nets.

New Jersey is beautiful! No, the preceding was not a mistake, the section of New Jersey that the AT passes through is very beautiful. Today, despite the continuation of sharp rocks, was a great hiking day.

Today was again a day of multiple stops. Just four short miles from the shelter, we arrived at Culvers Gap, where the Worthington Bakery is located. This place is supposed to have the best pastries on the trail, but they are closed on Tuesdays. AGH! Anyway, we settled for a lemonade from the machine outside the store.

Immediately after the gap, Colorado, DB and I found ourselves walking through an old growth pine forest. Are we in New Jersey? Then, after a grueling 500 foot ascent we came to the top of the ridge and a fire tower. Where our timing failed for the baked goods it was dead on for the fire tower, as a ranger was manning the station. He let us come up to the very top, a rarity, and was pointing out various mountains, valleys and bodies of water to us. He was a great guy and even brought up extra water in his truck for the hikers. Score!

Just 2 miles after the tower (total of 8 now) we summited the mighty Sunrise Mountain, complete with auto road and pavilion. Must be time for another break, the views has been just too good all day to pass up.

Finally we got motivated and hiked non-stop to High Point State Park in NJ devoted to, you guessed it, the highest point in the state. The entrance to the park goes past Lake Marcia, another glacier pond complete with public beach, concession stand and a view of the high point. How do you know exactly where the high point is, you ask? Easy since someone built a 220 foot monument there, of course. I guess we are in NJ after all.

Again, our timing was impeccable. While the concession stand was still open, they were in the process of shutting down so no burgers or fries for us. They did have a big pile of hot dogs, however, that the GAVE to us. Score again! We downed the dogs, ate some ice cream and went for a swim. What a great day on the AT.

But the best is still to come. DB, Colorado and I decide that instead of camping in an old, dirty shelter, why not camp right on the high point itself? After all, there are fabulous views in all directions, nice grassy spots and great weather. So what if TECHNICALLY camping isn't allowed? If we don't set up a tent, we aren't really "camping" then, are we? Ahem. Anyway, in addition to the three of us, Peach Buzz, Riverdance, Nathan, Phil and some Amish dude are "sleeping" here. The sunset was one of the best so far this trip, right behind Cheoah Bald and Max Patch.

Oh yea, I also saw another rattlesnake on the trail today. This is getting ridiculous now how many snakes I have seen in this area. Well, it's almost 10 PM now, the stars have come out and the temperature has dropped. It is just about the perfect sleeping condition after a great day on the trail. Tomorrow, into Vernon, NJ to stay at a brand new hostel that is FREE! Life is grand. Sleep now and back to work tomorrow.

-Chomp

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