7-29-2009 Wed

Start point: Surebridge Mtn
End point: Hemlock Springs Campsite
miles hiked: 17.5

Got out after packing up around 6:30am. Made it to Fingerboard Shelter where I found Dragonbreath packing up. Went down to Lake Tiorati where I got water and ate breakfast. Picked blueberries on Goshen Mtn. Passed by Willam Brien Memorial Shelter, a stone shelter built in 1933. Started raining on me just before I started climbing Bear Mtn, and soaked me by the time I was at the top. Passed through the Trailside Museum and Zoo, they have many native species including black bears (which I could not see, sleeping I guess), an eastern coyote, porcupine, bobcat, etc.. It was pretty sad, all the cages were really small (even for a zoo). Crossed the Bear Mtn bridge that goes over the Hudson River. No energy at all after that, rain and fog and some big climbs just sucked it out of me today. I picked a crappy tent location, it looked flat, but around dark when it started pouring again, all the rain just pooled up under my tent. The waterbed effect would be cool, however with that much rain there is no way to keep it from getting in, so it was kind of a miserable night.