Date: 6/17/04
Starting Location: Fitzgerald Falls
Destination: William Brian Memorial Shelter
Miles: 17.8
Total Miles: 1388
It may have rained, but it was still an amazing day. It started off with breakfast by the falls and several short but very steep rock scrambles. One long downpour later, our string of trail magic continued on as an older man waiting in his car at the crossing of NY17 offered to bring us to the cafeteria down the road to eat and then drive us back. Turns out he was a very nice section-hiker who just liked to socialize with and help out other hikers whenever he could—his way of keeping in touch with the trail community. Such a nice guy—thanks Gene!
After that, Footloose and I were off into the rain again as we entered into Harriman State Park. Between the exciting varied trail, the "Lemon Squeezer," and the incredibly beautiful open fir and hardwood forests, this place is definitely near the top of my list of trail favorites. I never would have guessed it myself—all this just an hour from Manhattan.
The day ended equally as well, Footloose and I meeting up with Lucky Star and Deja Vu, two thru-hikers who we've been following in trail registers since the beginning. It's always fun to finally put a name with a face. All that in one day makes you hardly even notice the rain.