Today was our first annual trail magic day. Mid-June is the time of year that the majority of northbound thru-hikers are between the Delaware and Hudson rivers. Today H & I hit the grocery store early and stocked up on Gatorade, water, fresh fruit, Snickers bars, doughnuts, and other random snacks. We were headed for the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, near my brother's farm, where the trail runs along State Line Road. We arrived around 10 a.m. and almost immediately we able to greet a pair of West Point cadets out for a week-long hike while on leave. (I guess they were walking back to work!) We hooked one of them up with much needed moleskin and they went on their way with a fresh gallon of water. That was if for two hours so instead of waiting for more hikers to come by us, we headed for the familiar trail road crossings hoping to find some hikers resting by the roadside looking eager for some refreshments. Our next success came from a group of four guys sectioning from NY to the Delaware Water Gap who were lying down in the shade off of Rt. 519 waiting to get the energy to climb up High Point Mountain. They enjoyed our Snickers and bananas not to mention topping off all their water bottles. Got the ultimate appreciation from a group of five thru-hikers led by "Dad's Grin." They were lying in the grass at the park office at High Point contemplating hitching to town (what town?) or moving forward. We pulled right up and said
"Magic here!" "Dad's Grin" came right over and the other four followed suit. Everybody loved the cold drinks and couldn't open the box of doughnuts fast enough. After chatting for a little bit we once again moved on. Next stop we just loaded a couple of gallon jugs of water into the Mashipacong Shelter bear box, which was already loaded with goodies left by the local legend trail angel, "Desperado." Next we took a long ride out to Culvers Gap and found no one to help. We considered running out to Sunrise Mountain after stopping at Gren Anderson Shelter but nixed that and went north through Sterling Forest toward Harriman stopping only at Longhouse Road and left another two gallons of water. (This part of the trail is known for two things: no water and plenty of bears.) By now H had passed out from the sweltering heat and slept like a baby until we reached Arden Valley Road and Rt. 17 in Tuxedo, where two thru-hikers were looking for a ride to a hotel four miles up the road. We loaded them up with Gatorades and apples and shuttled them up to a motel in Monroe where they could get a real meal, a shower, and beds. Hope they get a ride back to the trailhead tomorrow as easily! After a quick run out to Bear Mountain and the vicinity of Harriman, we had no more luck finding any more hikers so we headed home. We've been known on the trail as Sidecar and Blue Muffin but now I have to give a trail name to "George" (our Jeep): "Magic Bus." To all those we were lucky enough to run into today we wish you godspeed, safety, comfort, and a wonderful adventure!
