Warwick, NY (USA)

[Another rainy day... Left my hotel near Hamburg, NJ, early and got gas in Vernon (0715). Also ate breakfast (Burger King - 0730) before I used route 94 to head into New York. I made it to the trailhead near Warwick, NY (on NY-17A) and started NOBO from the parking lot (used approach trail) at 0800. It was miserable and muddy - but it was also flat, for once. About halfway through, though, the hike required rock climbing - scary, disconcerting climbing... I did NOT enjoy this, especially with no view to make the effort worthwhile! But I made it to Wildcat Shelter and turned around - it was a much shorter hike than I'd seen in days. I used spur trails on the way back - avoiding the large rocks. Encountered a through hiker (flip flipper whose finishing point was North Adams), two section hikers is seen a few days before and a fella with a Rottweiler nearly spoiled my day... Made it through to my car unscathed, though - with roughly 4.3 miles under my belt (finished by 1000). Hit the road immediately - took NY-17A back to NY-94 and intercepted I-84 to the north. Used I-81, I-83, PA-581 and US-15 to get back to my home-zone. Got gas in Frederick at 1445 and then took I-270 and I-495 to Alexandria (beating the rush hour traffic). What a "weekend": over 75 miles and some great wildlife experiences! Oh, BTW, I got the extra added benefit of a tick that burrowed into my leg. Here's hoping that I'm immune to any tick-borne diseases! Even so, wish I didn't have to go back, but I guess it is time... AT Today = 2.10 miles / G.T. AT = 661.90 miles]