T+26 A “nero” and crossing the Hudson

T+26 (June 24, 2020)

Navigation Report:
Start point: Bear Mountain Bridge Motel (mile 1406.1)
Destination: Hemlock Springs Camp (mile 1408.8)

Travel Log:
3:50 Depart Bear Mountain Bridge Motel (mile 1406.1)
5:00 Bear Mountain Bridge (mile 1406.1)
6:00 Parking Lot (mile 1409.0)
6:30 Hemlock Springs Camp (mile 1408.8)

Daily Mileage: 2.7
Total Mileage: 254.5

Commander’s Report:
​I decided to make today all about resupply and getting caught up on documentation. Went to the Post office at its 8 AM opening to pick up my mail drop. I took this back to the motel to sort the contents and packed the contents into my food bag. I completed this by about 9:30 AM.

Next up: drafting and uploading blog posts. To begin the day, I was several days behind and absolutely needed to catch back up. I managed to get 3 of them done and uploaded. It was difficult to focus on this at tines as Grandpa, the owner, was very chatty. But, I managed to accomplish the posts by 3:30 PM.

After blogging responsibilities I packed up and started on down 9W towards Bear Mountain Bridge. It's a 1.5 mile walk to the bridge, but I didn't want to burden Grandpa with driving me around as he already had a busy day catering to the other hikers staying with him. On the way, I stopped at the Post office to bounce some of my clothing further up the trail. I found myself not wearing the warmer clothes, so I sent them to Killington, VT. If it's still too warm for them in VT, I'll bounce them on further. So long as I don't open the package the forwarding service is free to me.

It's about a mile from the Post Office to the bridge. The walk is down 9W, a 4-lane road with little shade. Part of why I left so late was to avoid the worst of the sun. That only partially worked.

The good thing about the walk between town and the bridge is that there's numerous nice places for photos. This first one is of the hill the trail ascends after the bridge, Anthony's Nose. I don't know who Anthony is, but he had problems if his nose truly looked like that.

Anthony’s Nose

​A bridge on 9W allowed for nice views of the Hudson and Bear Mountain Bridge across the water. In view are also two other bridges over the tributary Popolopen Creek (all the water in front of the train tracks).

Bear Mountain Bridge and the Hudson

​​From the other end of this bridge on 9W, there's a nice view that puts Bear Mountain Bridge in perspective with Anthony's Nose and the Hudson.

View down the Popolopen.

​The views of the Hudson are amazing from Bear Mountain Bridge. Here's a 3 picture series from different positions on the bridge.

At the other end, the suspension cables are anchored right to Anthony's Nose. It’s kind of like those Freak Show performers that lift heavy objects from hooks in their skin.

​After the bridge it was a nice climb up to nearly the tip of Anthony's Nose. I didn't go to the tip and take pictures as I was just not feeling too energetic this afternoon.

I hiked past where I ended up staying the night to ensure that water was available before pitching my tent and settling in. So after getting water down the hill, I hiked back up and make camp.