Great Hikes of North America And a couple of not-so-great ones, too! Click on the Date or Event below, then the Event. |
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Celebrate the Man, Husband, Father and Best Friend a Person Could Have!
Wet and Mild!
Oldest Park in America!
Other Worldly!
You are About to Enter the Twilight Zone!
The Adventure Begins!
Wet and Mild!
Oldest Park in America!
Toughest Hike Yet!
Toughest Hike Yet!
Toughest Hike Yet!
Oldest Park in USA!
(Almost) Toughest Hike Yet!
A Battered Farewell to Yosemite
Short Hike, Amazing View!
Big Trees
Toughest Hike Ever!
Another Adventure Begins!
Avalanche and Calm Waters
Waterfalls and Butterflies
Glaciers and Flour
A Fond Farewell to Zion and Wolfy
America the Beautiful!
Waterfalls and Pools
Don't Look Down!
The Adventure Begins!
More Sights and Sounds of Acadia
Climbing Cliffs
Biking Carriage Road
Wanaque, New Jersey
Hoh Rain Forest
Ruby Beach
Mt. Townsend
Ringwood, NJ
Miscellaneous Scenes
This is a collection of images from hikes and walks too short or images too few to merit individual titles. The images, however, are nontheless beautiful. All images are from 2010.
The Catskills
The Pinnacle
On October 5th, 2009, Laura Rupp, Bill Flintoff and I made our third attempt to climb the Pinnacle on a crisp (65° F), sunny day. The Pinnacle offers an amazing view of the scenic Hamburg, Pennsylvania farmland and countryside. This was Laura’s first attempt, for Bill and me, our third attempt (see Pinnacle, November 13th, 2007 and September 3rd, 2008).
Mount Tammany
On September 26th, Laura Rupp and I climbed Mount Tammany at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in New Jersey on a 4.46 mile hike. Mount Minsi and Mount Tammany are the two mountains that create the gap through which the Delaware waters flow.
Mount Minsi
On June 8th, Laura Rupp and I climbed Mount Minsi at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania on a 4.73 mile hike. Mount Minsi and Mount Tammany are the two mountains that create the gap through which the Delaware waters flow.
Daniel Boone National Forest
We all woke up OK with minimal groans, so Tuesday morning we ventured out for our third hike of the trip, this time along the Whittleton Branch Trail, 4.39 miles out and back to an immense natural amphitheater-like rock formation. Fourth and last hike of the trip, Tuesday afternoon, was to the 65-foot high and 78-foot span sandstone Natural Bridge within the Natural Bridge State Resort Park, a 3.19 mile loop. We took the Battleship Rock Trail going up and returned using the Rock Garden Trail.We witnessed great natural beauty and a little wildlife: a wild turkey, a black rat snake and a coyote. The long drive home was uneventful as we alternately slept and chatted about the natural splendor of the land we had just left and the memories that will stay with us forever. A special thanks to Bill Flintoff who managed to perform a near miracle. Despite last-minute changes and a hike site with a myriad of possibilities, Bill planned and executed an absolutely fabulous hiking adventure. The accommodations were warm and cozy, the trails were challenging and supremely beautiful with just the right degree of difficulty for a motley crew of hikers. I'm sure I speak for my fellow hikers when I say, "Thank you, Bill!"
Daniel Boone National Forest
Abram S. Hewitt State Forest
On a bright and sunny April 24th, Bill Flintoff, Laura Rupp and I trekked the 8.28 mile Bearfort Ridge Trail in the Abram S. Hewitt State Forest, New Jersey. It was a very long 8.28 miles as almost the entire hike was on very hard and unyielding rocks, very punishing on the knees as there was much up-and-down. But, the weather and company could not have been nicer, so we had a great time with some of Nature's grander views.
Washington Township, NJ
On April 2nd, Laura Rupp and I went on a very nice walk through the Roaring Rock Park in Warren County, NJ. Spring was just beginning to pop in Roaring Rock; skunk cabbage was everywhere. I returned on the 19th and found more colorful wildflowers in bloom. A very nice walk in a very nice park with a very lovely lady. Actually, two lovely ladies – Mother Nature and Laura.
Washington Township, NJ
On March 20th, 2009, Laura Rupp and I walked the perimeter trail of Merrill Creek Reservoir in Washington Township, New Jersey. It was very peaceful. While taking a moment in the Visitors Center, we stopped by the bird feeders next to the observation windows. First the birds were scared off by a marauding squirrel. Then the squirrel was scared off by a band of marauding deer, four or five of them. Perhaps one adult and the rest adolescents, they were partying and enjoying themselves with the bird seed and fresh water. As quickly as they appeared, the deer disappeared. An unexpected close-up encounter with one of nature’s more loveable creatures.
Bog to Nature
On March 14th, 2009, Laura and I went south to the Franklin Parker Preserve of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation for a 9.81 mile walk through the former cranberry bogs that are now being returned to their natural boggy condition. Our leader was Chris Jage, Assistant Director, South Jersey for NJCF, and he was friendly, helpful and very informative about the geology, flora, fauna and history of the area. He led us to appreciate the good works that NJCF is doing for New Jersey and how important the Franklin Parker Preserve is now and for the future.
Miscellaneous Scenes
This is a collection of images from hikes and walks too short or images too few to merit individual titles. The images, however, are nontheless beautiful. All images are from 2009.
Rain and Fog in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Canoe Along the Delaware
October 2, 2008, Bill Flintoff and I hazarded a 9.87 mile canoe trip down the Delaware River from Bushkill, Pennsylvania to Smithfield Beach, Pennsylvania. All within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area joining New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The Pinnacle
On September 3rd, 2008, Bill Flintoff and I attempted to find the Pinnacle in Hamburg, Pennsylvania (look at the November 13, 2007 PInnacle) and hike to the top.
Kingston Locks
Bright and early on Friday, July 11th, I took a nice stroll along the D&R Canal, camera in hand.
Palisades Interstate Park
On June 19th, 2008, Bill Flintoff and I embarked on a 6.08 mile hike along the Bombay Hook Trail within the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey.
Storm King Art Center
Sunfish Pond Trail
On June 1, 2008, Mike and Clare Kovacs, Hannah Snyder and I met at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area for a 3.9 mile hike within the wilds of New Jersey.
Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens
Harriman State Park
On April 16, 2008, Bill Flintoff and I went on a 5.10 mile hike inside Harriman State Park. Easy hike with few scenic overlooks, but many babbling brooks and rushing streams made a beautiful hike through a nicely forested park.
Miscellaneous
This is a collection of images from hikes and walks too short or images too few to merit individual titles. The images, however, are nontheless beautiful. All images are from 2008.
The Pinnacle
On November 13, 2007, George Kunzel, Bill Flintoff and I attempted to climb the Pinnacle in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
Mount LeConte
Sunfish Pond Trail
On June 3, 2007, Mike and Clare Kovacs, Bill Flintoff and I met at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area for a short (3.90 miles) hike on the Sunfish Pond Trail within Worthington State Forest. Short and fun, but beautiful as usual as the foliage was green and very lush at this time. And hiking with old friends is the best experience there is!
Snowy Mountain
On May 6, 2006, George Kunzel, Bill Flintoff and I climbed Snowy Mountain in Indian River, New York.
Ken Lockwood Gorge
On November 12, 2005, Bill Flintoff, John Rupp and I took a walk along the South Branch of the Raritan River on a crisp, clear, fall afternoon at the Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area in Lebanon Township, NJ. John passed away fewer than three months after this walk. John was a man of large talent and small ego, rather than the more usual reverse. His creativity was boundless, his poetry evocative and his wit unending (about a company he worked for - "We may be small, but we're poorly run"). John, you may have left us, but you enriched our lives with your words and deeds.
Watkins Glen State Park
On June 30th, 2002, my girlfriend and I were at Watkins Glen International racetrack with the Porsche Club of America to enjoy three days of driving at speed at one of the finest racetracks in the world (and my favorite). However, a transmission malfunction ended my time on the track after the second day. We now had a free day to visit the Glen from which the track and city were named. |