Trail Conditions Forum

Hiked from Ferguson road to near route 52 today. I didn't encounter anything more than the normal after winter trail conditions. Still several inches of snow in the woods without a southern exposure though. No snow on the top of the ridge. The same for the gobbler Knob area as I walked that a few days ago. I will check Wurtsboro ridge soon.

In this particular trail system of 30+ miles of trail there are perhaps two or three spots that can pose a problem, especially when the rocks are wet or snow/ice covered. Buck mtn. has been this way for over fifty years or since it's inception. Ascending isn't too bad, but descending can be a bit tricky. We recently trimmed back this whole area last Fall, which tends to get overwhelmed by the sprawling Green Briar. We could possibly trim back more of this growth on the North side which might provide an optional approach, although the topography offers few other options. We will re-evaluate this when we return to improve the trail tread below this point. Norvin Green is known as a forest of rugged wilderness calibre trails that can be challenging to some.......it doesn't pretend to be a "Walk in the Park". A few years ago we rerouted the Carris Hill Trail to improve safety and we received a few comments condemming us for eliminating this former challenge......So you can't please eveyone, but We Try !

Hi Adam,  you might want to post this also under Find a Hike.  that might be the better forum for your questions on hiking the LP.   good luck!

Are you going to thru-hike the trail. Either way having done the entire trail I have a world of information for you. srtmaintainer@gmail.com

Two years ago I thru-hiked the LP from the GW up to Wurtsboro using the AT route and can answer questions about that very enjoyable (and fairly easy) section.

If possible, plan to avoid tick season because although the Long Path was generally well-blazed and -maintained it does not appear to be heavily trafficked in areas so there can be high grass or close brush and I frequently had to stop several times an hour to pick off dozens of ticks despite using DEET. You might want to wear long pants and treat them as well.

Buy the LP book and study it. I found it to be extremely well-written and useful. There is also helpful information about the LP on the old NYNJTC website. For the AT section I would recommend looking at the ALDHA Companion which is available online at http://www.aldha.org/comp_pdf.htm

One problem arose when the PO in Pomona did not understand "General Delivery" and "Hold for Long Path Hiker arriving x date" and returned my food drop as undeliverable. Fortunately there was nothing unique in the package and there was a large grocery store on the way to the PO, just a short distance off the trail. There are also many places to eat in the section from GW to Wurtsboro, fast food, diners, snack bars, ice cream, coffee shops, Mexican. The only other backpack-carrying hikers I met the entire way were on the AT but you're never far from roads and houses.

I did make notes about where where I camped and a couple of places to get water and could provide that info if you contact me. It would not be appropriate to post all of them in a public forum. Here's a disposable e-mail address: pundit64991@mypacks.net

 

Perhaps a moderator could move these Long Path posts to their own topic because I do want to hike the rest of it and would like more information about the Wurtsboro to Albany section including the best places to resupply and a decent way to walk to Albany or to public transportation near Altamont, which has VERY limited commuter bus service.

Thanks. I just ordered the book and I will let you guys know when i plan to attempt the hike. And Ill probably have more questions before i do. i love the new format of this site. Adam

I just did this hike today with 2 of my friends. And we were wondering why the markers along the Bearfort Waters Trail were in the water!!! Crossing the Reservoir was also quite treacherous. We just thought this was because of the winter thaw. I was going to send a message to NY/NJ Trail Conf. reporting this but I guess they are well aware of it. Wish I looked here BEFORE we left for our hike. Thanks for posting!

Curious to know if the rerouting of the flooded section of trail next to Buckabear Pond was done? I hiked this section in January 2010, while pond was frozen, and unless I missed the reroute, I had to do some mild bushwacking to continue south on the trail. The crossing of the dam was not too bad but I wonder if it is passable now with all the snow melt and recent rains. Finally, I should mention that I saw an ATV on Buckabear Pond. I think the guy riding it was quite surprised to see a hiker at that time of year. Anyway , a big thanks to the NY/NJ TC and its volunteers for keeping the trails open for folks like me.