Out of the Woods

On September 4, 2010, we left Harriman Park behind us. Well, we actually need to fill in three chunks in the Park, but on this day, we crossed the line. Nyack Rocks dropped Silent Cougar and two secret companions along the side of route 6, next to the intersection with route 293. Nyack Rocks drove down the long scenic highway toward the Thruway, while the three amigos headed into the woods.

It's a long way around this particular block. Once you cross 87, you try to head north on 32, but the Woodbury Commons creates a lot of drama. Finally you cruise through town, and try to to cross back to meet the hikers. Unfortunately, part of Estrada Road is closed, entailing much zigging and zagging. After driving several miles, you meet the hikers at the end of Estrada Road, where they have walked a very short distance through the woods.

The Long Path follows several of these small roads, then heads back under the trees near the Woodbury Creek. The Long Path Guide (5th edition, 2005) is no longer accurate for this stretch...should have checked the website. Silent Cougar and Brother went in from the South end, while Nyack Rocks and Nature Mom headed in from the North. This is a very strange section of the Path, having two major obstacles to cross. The Woodbury Creek must be pretty scary in the Spring, because the trail goes to bizarre lengths to cross it. In early September, the stream is rather dry. There is an amazing assortment of cobbles and boulders in the streambed, including the beautiful purple conglomerate from Schunemunk.

The other obstacle is a bit scarier: the MetroNorth track. The trains cross over the creek and route 32 on an old trestle, way up high. They move fast! The trestle reminded me of the one in the Harry Potter movies. The scariest part is walking under the old steelwork, which is rotten and rusty. There are holes in the girders, large enough to stick your finger through. Everywhere on the ground are metal parts: bolts and plates and unidentifiable rusty pieces. Mixed throughout are chunks of coal from an earlier time. An ode to fossil fuels.

Continuing south, the Long Path follows an old road bed along the Creek. Across the stream is a row of houses, then route 32. Drunken people were driving a tractor around in circles, singing and screaming. Their barbeque smelled good. They yelled something at us, then went back to singing. Here come Silent Cougar and Brother. Time to turn around, dash under the rickety bridge and cross the dry gulch. I guess we are out of the woods.