South Fields, NY (USA)

The temperatures were sweltering all day and the humidity was practically visible! So I split up my hike into three sections (all started SOBO, total of nearly 12 miles): Elk Pen parking lot to Sapphire Trail; Arden Valley Road to Island Pond Mountain; Lakes Road to Wildcat Shelter. I started the first section early (trailhead by 0730), hiking back to where I turned around last night. The sun looked very pretty, coming up on the horizon. I didn't see any hikers but had some funny chats with construction workers on the bridge crossing the NY State Thruway. I started with a climb up the Agony Grind. Signed a trail log at the top of the ridge. It was already getting warm when I finished the first part of my day, so I decided to move my car and drove farther into the State Park until I found Tiorati Lake (1000). Nearby, I located another trailhead and did some more rock climbing. I met a young woman who was thru hiking SOBO and passed her in both directions. My hat is off to the folks who can keep moving in the elements, day after day. I had hoped to reach the Lemon Squeezer but finally had to give up (stopped just short). The climbing and descending was just too much. Even after the wise choice, I still paid on the way back... I had hydrated and eaten but the heat was still powerful enough that it was only willpower that got me back to the car (1300). I went back to my hotel (picking up the owner, who knows me after several visits, down in South Fields) and rested for several hours. I had to get through muscle cramps and reset my water balance - and it wasn't easy... By dinner time, I was feeling well enough to hike some more. After a protein-rich meal at Wendy's in Monroe (1750), I headed to the last trailhead (1845). Clouds were threatening and the sun was barely visible through the trees. But it wasn't as hot and I made it to my turnaround before it was too dark to see where I was going. I encountered two thru hikers who had run out of water at the shelter and were headed out in the dark to find a spring (1.5 miles away). Sounds like the water sources are almost all dry... After they raced off ahead, I heard several large animals (deer?) running in the woods. Needed my head lantern to reach my car (2000) but it was an easier night of hiking! It was a tough day but I made some great progress and am looking forward to another day of this. Tuxedo Motel again...  AT Today = 5.70 miles / Grand Total = 753.58 miles