South Fields, NY (USA)

The snow delayed my departure this morning - almost none had melted and there was still enough ice that I doubted I could drive across the mountain (last night's return from West Point was scary enough). But the sun was shining brightly so I decided to try my luck. Ate breakfast (Dunkin Donuts) in Central Valley (0915).  Roads were OK and I coordinated a pick up (so I wouldn't have to backtrack) before losing cell signal. My late departure meant I arrived to find a full parking lot. Still managed to squeeze ol' Bessie in between a tree and a truck and then (0945) headed SOBO from Seven Lakes Drive on Bear Mountain. The hike began at around 27 degrees but it warmed up to 35 by the end. There was still about a half inch of snow and the AT headed straight up West Mountain (tricky footing). I heard other people in the woods (on other trails) and eventually started seeing them as I reached the summit. The views were amazing - could see the Hudson all the way to NYC and found myself at the nearly the same level as the Perkins Memorial Tower. This was just my first such climb, though. After following the ridge (and getting progressively better views) for a while, the trail headed west and downhill (very slippery - almost fell a few times) until I faced a harrowing run (NOT kidding) across four lanes of the Palisades Parkway. And then it was back uphill again: this time to the top of Black Mountain. The sun had already melted all the snow and I actually considered taking off my coat (decided against it but was sweating by the end). Better views from that ridge... Then, the local Trail Club started messing with me and provided a series of "entertaining" S turns through Harriman State Park. Almost fell of some of the biggest rocks and had to crawl, slide and shimmy into the next valley. Started to see day hiker families and their dogs as I approached the lake activity areas. The trail got really close to Seven Lakes Drive again but paralleled it for miles. I'd been trying to coordinate the pickup with Kim but lost signal about a mile from the road. Ended up arriving at the pickup point at 1320 but had she hadn't found where I was because we couldn't communicate. A lost hiker from Manhattan showed up and was asking me for directions when Kim drove by - but I couldn't get her attention! After I walked on the road for a bit, she found me (turns out she'd been driving up and down the road while she couldn't reach me). I felt bad that I made her wait and worry but she was relieved. After we retrieved my car, we ate a very late lunch at Andy's Restaurant in Highland Falls (finished at 1515). Ran some errands (Walmart, finished at 1545) on the way back to South Fields. Back at the hotel, watched NFL Playoffs.  It's been a good weekend: cold, clear weather and some hard fought miles. Gonna try another hike in the morning! AT Today = 7.00 miles / G.T. AT = 842.08 miles