Training Log Archive: wwk

At Pinebush preserve, sand dunes (Madison avenue trailhead)

Beautiful summer day, started off warm and overcast but blue skies by the end. Longer run/hike with intervals at the beginning but all walking for the last hour.

Started going straight on the small loop I have never used before. Nice sand dune ridges that are now completely vegetated, though open.

Then followed the trails around the usual way across the power line, the blue trail along the funny little ridges down to the big sand dune portion. The official yellow blazed trail, along the southern part of the sand dunes went easterly, but there was a single track leading south that looked interesting-distinct narrow path but crowded with hip-high grasses and thistle. Started off going through overgrown meadows then led down to a creekside. Eventually was walking between two creeks, side by side, down a gentle spur.

All of this was unofficial trail, no pine bush commission blazes, but no private property signs either. About 1km unofficial trail to this point.

About when I wasn't sure where I was going, the path hairpinned back up a ridge, in a direction that seemed like the way back though I had no map or compass, and didn't think to use my gps watch for a heading.

Hiked up through some wonderful ridges and reentrants and open woods, along the back of some property lines (including a short access path to a school on Western Ave). I kept thinking this would be awesome for an o-map but surely the pine bush people don't want any off-trail activity, and this part of the park is likely verboten anyway. But its a wonderful trail, and blessed that the mountain bikers haven't discovered it en masse yet.

A little farther on more unofficial trails were crisscrossing all around, including some signs (just printed paper in plastic sleeves stapled to trees) about snowshoe trails and maintaining two tracks. Eventually found my way back to the yellow trail, at the bottom of a steep slope at the eastern edge of the sand dune territory. Wonderful blackberry picking within reach of the trail, should be in season for another week or two!

Followed the official yellow trail to the powerline ride, which was an explosion of butterflies and sunshine.

I had no idea this part of the pine bush was so large. The perimeter trail, which is mostly what I must have been walking on, must easily be over six miles.

C • pine bush 4

Loop at the Crossings... hot and sunny, about 85F. Accordingly made the intervals a bit easier, 5 min warmup, then about 2 min run/2 min walk. Then (not recorded) went inside and run a few laps and weights.

Pine Bush / Sand dunes area. Though I didn't go to the sand dunes. Beautful morning, cloudy and cool, about 70F. 5 min warmup then stuck pretty well to 2:00-2:30 min run/1:30 walk intervals.

Loop at Colonie Crossings

Hike at Moreau. Warm (high 80s) and partly cloudy. Wife and kids and friends swam at the beach and they graciously allowed me to hike by myself, a rare pleasure. Went straight up the hill to the overlook. Carried my map from the 2010 us champs with a green course printed on it. The start triangle was hard to find but I think I got close. Found the locations for the first two controls then walked further in. There's a small building mapped on the southern slope, just off the park boundary. Went to investigate and it appears to be a hunting camp, well stocked with fire wood. No roads leading to it, but a trail you might be able to use an ATV on. Came right back and watched the kids swim.

Run/walk at Colonie Crossings... 5 min walk, then approx 2 min run/2 min walk intervals, though the walking ones increased during the workout... warm and sunny.

Paddling out to the big island, explore a bit and return. With Stacey, Max and Zoe. Zoe tried to paddle some and Stacey helped on the return trip in the face of a pleasant breeze.

Out and back along the 'artillery ridge trail' in state game lands 127. A little bit of off trail exploring to check out some features and see how accurate the USGS topos are here. Farthest I've ever went along this trail, about 2.5 miles. Someday I'll go to Tobyhanna.

Short, level hike with the family (Max on my back) at Lehigh River Gorge State Park... very pretty. Started at Rockport access and walked south for a bit. Cooling waterfall along the way, and a view of a railroad tunnel on the east bank of the river. There's also a natural (?) tunnel, about 100 ft long, that you can walk through near the parking lot. Scared max and zoe a bit, but they had fun going back through.