Appalachian Trail Section hiking: Long Hill Road to Hoyt Road/Connecticut State Line

Day Fifteen
Monday, October 10, 2016
Long Hill Road to Hoyt Road/Connecticut State Line
14.5 miles

What a beautiful day today. It’s the last day of our hike and we are looking forward to finishing up. We made up our mind several days ago that we would finish New Jersey and New York and then go to Manhattan for a short visit before going back to Florida.

Nuclear Lake

Highlights of the day included Nuclear Lake, the site of a nuclear fuels-processing research facility until 1972. It was beautiful, showing the beginnings of fall colors.

The Dover Oak is located on the north side of West Dover Road. It is reportedly the largest oak tree on the A. T. Its girth four feet from ground is more than 20 feet, 4 inches and it is estimated to be more than 300 years old. The second largest oak is the Keffer Oak with a girth of 18 feet, 3 inches. It too is around 300 years old. We have had the privilege of seeing both these trees.

Just before we reached NY 22 the trail passes a Metro-North train station. The train runs between here and New York City Grand Central Terminal on weekends.

We stopped for a break at Native Landscapes and Garden Center, located on NY 22. It is owned by a former thru-hiker and is reputed to be hiker-friendly – which, indeed, it was. The nice lady in attendance was very friendly and welcoming . There was also another southbound section hiker there whom we had met last spring around the roller coaster. He remembered that! We had a nice conversation, gave him some tips on shuttle drivers, etc. then went on our way.

There was another beautiful boardwalk through the Pawling Nature Preserve. We have really enjoyed the boardwalks in both New Jersey and New York.

The 14.5 miles were finished before we knew it we reached Hoyt Road with the Connecticut State Line just off the road to the north. And we were done with 162 miles in 15 days, 13 hiking with 2 days off.

See you next spring, Connecticut!