West Point, NY (USA)

Got up early to ensure I could do everything before the snow started. Temps started in the low 20s and never cracked 30 all day. But it was clear and I knew that the views of the Hudson Valley would be great. After a gas fillup in South Fields (0655), breakfast at Dunkin Donuts in Central Valley (0705) and a scouting trip up Bear Mountain (to make sure roads and parking lots weren't closed for the season), I drove across the river (via the Bear Mountain Bridge). Turned onto NY-9D and found the AT trailhead (last visited in March 2015). Started NOBO at 0730 and climbed a challenging hill with spectacular views to the west. The only people I saw all day were a trio of day hikers that I overtook on the first ridge. For the rest of the day, I encountered rolling hills - nothing too challenging. Kept wearing my extra layers, hat and gloves for the entire hike. After I crossed a rickety old plank walkway through a swamp, I arrived at my turnaround point: corner of NY-403 and US-9. On the way back, I used several of the local trails with bright colored markers: likely the Carriage Connector, Osborne Loop, Curry Pond and a red dot trail without a name (I didn't have a map). The grades of these roads were even more shallow than AT and they appeared to me mountain bike, skimobile or cross country ski routes. Ultimately, I spotted the USMA on the other side of the Hudson (West Point) - a great vantage point but too many trees for a good picture. Decided to bushwhack down to Montego and walk back to my car. This worked well and I finished my round trip (10.5 miles) at 1115. On the way back to Tuxedo, I scouted the AT crossing over Palisades Parkway and checked road access in Harriman State Park (many were closed). I will have to plan a special route in the morning. And it started snowing a few hours later... Sore and tired but still have energy in the tank for another day on the trail! By 1600, I left the hotel anyway and carefully navigated the mountain climb over to West Point, locating the Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity on the USMA grounds.  Listened to Kim play the organ and met the priest of the parish.  I followed Kim to her house and ended up eating dinner with her landlady (Maureen) and a cooking first date with Steve.  Wine was flowing, conversation was interesting and the meal was delicious (Chicken Marsala), prepped by Steve's son, Matt (Chef at Sky Lake in the Catskills).  There was a lot of tension about my presence but we worked through it.  I was a bit worried to be trapped on the Hudson side of the mountain but the snow stopped by 2100 when it was time for me to leave.  The evening was somewhat strange, overall, but I enjoyed the visit with Kim and her friends and was glad to sleep in my hotel bed for another night. AT Today = 5.20 miles / G.T. AT = 835.08 miles