T+17 Rebounding with some decent mileage

T+17 (June 15, 2020)

Navigation Report:
Starting Point : Campsite (mile 1312.7)
Destination: Gren Anderson Shelter (mile 1327.6)

Travel Log:
10:00 Break Camp (mile 1312.7)
10:05 Break Camp x2
10:20 Fairview Lake viewpoint (mile 1313.5)
10:30 Black rat shake
10:35 Blue Mountain Lake Rd. (mile 1313.9)
11:05 "Beaver Bog" (mile 1315.2)
11:20 Crater Lake overlook (mile 1315.6)
12:15 Southeast view (mile 1317.8) 
12:35 Stream-water refill (mile 1318.3)
1:00 Rattlesnake Mountain (mile 1318.7)
1:45 Blue Mountain (mile 1320.2)
2:40 Dry beaver pond (mile 1321.4) 
3:25 Culver Lake viewpoint (mile 1323.3) 
5:15 View before fire tower (mile 1326.2) 
5:20 Culver Fire Tower (mile 1326.5) 
5:35 Wood frog 
6:00 Stream (mile 1327.5) 
6:15 Gren Anderson Shelter (mile 1327.6) 

Daily Mileage: 14.9
Total Mileage: 179

Commander’s  Report:
​It didn't take long to have to modify my plans. Yesterday's lower than planned mileage means 4.5 miles more to do today. Additionally, the blog posts from T+15 and T+16 needed to get wrapped up. Luckily I woke up raring to go at 5-30. I spent the next 3.5 hours putting those together and uploaded. Add in an extra hour to pack and it means I didn't get out of camp until 10AM.

One would think that with all that time in the morning that I would be able to get my shit together before getting on the trail. Apparently not! I initially forgot to take my hiking poles, so had to return for them.

Once properly on the trail, it didn't take me long arrive at the first (of many) viewpoint on the day's hike. I wasn't looking for a view point, but I couldn't help and go down the well worn side trail to this vantage point. The view of Fairview Lake off to the southeast below is quite worth the several hundred yard detour!

The approach to Fairview Lake overlook let’s you know it’s going to be good!

Fairview Lake overlook

​Quite soon after getting back on the trail I encountered my first smol fren of the day. I was lost in thought and apparently not paying enough attention at the trail ahead of me, so I nearly skewered a black rat snake with the tip of my hiking pole. Note to self: pay attention for danger noodles in the future!

Black rat snake exiting stage left

​​About a half an hour after the nope rope encounter I came upon what the guide lists as a "beaver bog". The beavers must have packed up and moved to Beverly Hills, because their bog was bone dry. The dried up lake bed certainly had an eerie quality to it.

For sale: one beaver pond, slightly distressed

​A short distance northward, where the trail runs around Crater Lake, I passed by a view point that looks out northwest at a point of high ground. Unfortunately, no views of the lake off to the east.

Crater Lake viewpoint

​About 2 miles north from that view point is a place with a southeast view. This is past Crater Lake, so no water views. I think the trees do a good enough job of making for striking views.

View to the northwest from viewpoint at mile 1317.8

​About a half mile north of this view point I stopped at a stream to replenish my water supply. It's already that time of year where the heat makes my mouth feel like I ate a mouthful of sand. I can't imagine hiking through the desert...that would suck big time!

A half mile north from the stream is the top of Rattlesnake Mountain. This provides nice views off to the northwest.

This one is for Mom. I played up the distortion that is imparted into panoramas for maximum nauseating effect. View from Rattlesnake Mountain.

​A mile and a half after Rattlesnake Mountain is the peak of Blue Mountain. This one is a bit grassier at the top, but also has nice views off to the northwest.

View from the summit of Blue Mountain

​A little over a mile north of Blue Mountain is another dry beaver pond. I'm beginning to wonder if New Jersey has an infestation of French trappers. This dried out pond was less creepy than the first.

Wh

​Two miles north of this old beaver pond is a nice view point overlooking Culver Lake. I had intended on getting a day's resupply here. Since I'm running late, and can certainly make it to Unionville with what I'm carrying, I decided that the 3.4 mile round trip to resupply wasn't worth it.

Culver Lake

​Regardless, the view down to the lake wasn't affected by my decision to not go into town. Between the Culver Lake viewpoint and the next overlook is about 3 miles - the longest distance in between excitement of the day's trek. This vantage point provided more views of a sea of trees. Such views never grow old!

A sea of trees

​A short distance after that viewpoint is a fine tower. It looked to be inhabited, so I didn't go up to check it out. The views from this location are however nearly identical to those of the previous viewpoint. So, I didn't linger too long.

Culver fire tower

​About 15 minutes after the fire tower, I met my second smol fren of the day, this guy took the form of a wood frog. I was nice and quiet, so he paid me back by posing nicely for my photographs.

Wood frog

A half hour after meeting Mr. Wood Frog I arrived at Gren Anderson shelter. I pitched my tent, made my bed and decided to wash my feet, legs, arms, and face in the small stream. That felt so good that I decided to do some laundry before sifting down for dinner.

​All-in-all a very productive day today. Exactly the opposite of yesterday!