AWAKING THE SLEEPING GIANT

2ND HIKE: SLEEPING GIANT STATE PARK

Facts

Location: Hamden, CT

Park: Sleeping Giant State Park

Trails: White (2.8mi), Orange (2.4mi), Tower (.5mi) = 5.7 miles

Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Elevation: 739 ft

Date: 4/21/11

Adventure

On my drive from PA-MA I stopped at sleeping giant about 10 minutes off my route in CT. I had planned on doing the hike to the tower and one other trail as a break from the 4.5 hour drive.

Trail Ratings:

• A--hard, steep climbs, for experienced hikers
• B--steady ascent to crest from all trailheads
• C--mostly level, some rises
• D--gentle climb on wide clear path

Sleeping Giant from White Trail

The tower trail was rated D and heavily congested I was in the mood for a challenge so I picked the white because it was rated A. I walked up the tower trail not knowing where the color ones met, but after a little over half a mile I found the white and it was up, up, and away. The trail began with two or three cool views, I passed maybe three or four groups of travelers, and then eventually was off into the woods on my own. The path was super steep at points it felt like I might slip, fall and break everything. Going down probably cost the most time on this trip. Hiking up rocks was quicker and more of an adrenal rush. At one point where the red and white trails intersected a couple stopped to watch me climb. I actually wondered if maybe they stuck around just in case I plummeted...

Going up!

When I reached the end of the white trail I realized I was no where near were I had parked because it was point to point and not a loop. I wanted to be back at my car for 3:30 so I could get ice cream and be home by 5pm. I wanted nothing to do with traffic. I knew that I could not complete the rigorous 3 mile hike back in forty minutes so I had a minor freak out about what to do next. I remembered passing the orange trail (rated B). I downloaded a compass on my iPhone (not realizing it already had one) just to keep from second guessing which way to take the orange trail. I made great time on the orange trail and went down the street to Wentworth's for according to Erica Rand, the best ice cream in CT. I picked one of the flavors of the day, red velvet cake, it was pretty bomb, but nothing beats Carl's Ice Cream.

Red Velvet Cake

MIND THE GAP

1ST HIKE: MOUNT TAMMANY

Facts

Location:  Bushkill, PA and Dunfield, NJ (borders on both)

Park: Delware Water Gap

Trails: Red dot (1.5mi), Blue Blaze/AT (2.5mi), Appalacian (1.5mi) = 5.5 miles

Time: 2 hours

Elevation: 1200 ft

Date: 4/17/11


Adventure

It was a rocky beginning for my hiking adventure.

• high winds
• cloudy
• two hour drive
• steep, difficult climb
• no address to plug into GPS (just coordinates)

I looked outside saw sun and knew that I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't get in the car and go. I let Papa Childs know I was hiking alone in case of emergency and used the old fashion pen and paper directions copied from a website to navigate there. I took the red dot trail up and the blue dot trail down for a 4 mile hike. The red dot trail is a steep climb up rocks most of the way, it kind of reminded me of BLUE HILLS RESERVATION (which is 10x better). It's a fun climb, but you gotta earn it!

 

THE GAP

There were great view points of the Delaware Water Gap and surrounding hills/mountains while going up the trail. Arriving on top of the mountain was anti-climatic. The views from the top were nice, but it was far too windy to maintain balance while capturing a decent photo. I started following the blue trail and ended up on the Appalachian trail (AT) because I was looking for a good spot to each lunch. I spent most of the day hopping around and climbing. The blue trail was less scenic and the rocks were smaller.   

It's a great hike, good cardio, and endurance training, but not worth the two hour drive. The Delaware Water Gap is a pretty sweet view!

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Mission: 20 Trails in 20 weeks!

Yes the idea of blogging is strange for me too, but I like the idea of having a live log of my travels for friends and family to see...

Goal: Hike 20 new trails by the end of September!

This is the criteria for the hikes I have selected:

• Best Trails in PA
• Best trails near Chester/Media, PA
• I eliminated all trails over 20 miles (no camping/backpacking!)
• I eliminated all trails previously completed
• I eliminated all trails over 3 hours away (>200 mi)

I think that by creating this blog it will motivate me to get it done, be cheered on, and of course maybe encourage others to join the adventures! Last summer I attempted the top ten trails in MA and only did about five or six. I kept going to Purgatory Chasm four or five times because it is so awesome and close to my house!

Spring/Summer Trails 2011:
 
1. Glen Onoko Run
2. Hawk Mountain
3. Mount Tammany
4. Seven Tubs Nature Area
5. AT--South Mountain Ridge to Pine Grove Furnace
6. Longwood Gardens
7. The Pinnacle
8. Hickory Run State Park
9. Indian Trail
10. Brendan T. Bryne State Forest--Pakim Pond Trail
11. South Mountain
12. Hibernia County Park
13. Kellys Run Natural Area
14. Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain
15. Wissahickon Gorge North Loop
16. Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower
17. Pennypack Preserve
18. ???
19. ???
20. Bish Bash???

I will not be completing these trails in any particular order. I have left room at the end for some trails in MA or other states I may hike in this summer. Also all trails are subject to change.