Until recently, to me the act of hiking consisted of taking a somewhat lengthy stroll on a well-manicured dirt-packed carriage trail that just so happened to wind its way up a few hills and through some woodland areas. To me, this qualified as a hike since, after all, there were trees, streams, lakes, hills, and no pavement to be found. I have recently developed a new appreciation for the term “hike,” and for those who do it on a regular basis! As a newcomer to the real hiking world, I thought I would share a few of my thoughts and early experiences with the activity for those who may be considering it as a new pastime.
Just a short time ago, I embarked upon a group hike with some of my co-workers. On a beautiful August morning, our group convened at the Reeves Meadow Visitors Center in Harriman State Park in Sloatsburg, New York. Only an hour or so away from New York City, the trailhead that would lead us up to Pine Meadow Lake was relatively easy to find and included a decent sized parking area. Unfortunately, the restrooms were locked! I was told it would be an “easy” hike and that since I did not own hiking boots, sneakers would suffice. In my backpack, I had my water, insect repellent, sunscreen, wet wipes, mixed nuts, and a host of other completely unnecessary items. I was pumped, and ready to go!
I laced up my sneakers and we started up the trail! As we began to get slightly further into the hike, my enthusiasm began to dwindle when I realized my first mistake-Footwear judgment. As it turns out, my trail sneakers, previously only exposed to well travelled, dusty, dirt-packed carriage trails, just weren’t cutting it on the rocky inclines that the group opted to take in an effort to make things a little more “challenging.” My heel-length socks didn’t help the situation. About an hour and a half into a 4-5 hour hike, my ankles began to bleed and didn’t stop bleeding for the rest of the day. I felt stupid, but I refused to complain.
While the trail was by no means difficult to seasoned hikers, my own first attempt at rock scrambling in slippery sneakers was much more comical (and probably dangerous!) than anything else! Furthermore, to the others, the appropriate directions to the lake were clearly marked, while I simply saw endless woods with blaze trail markers thrown haphazardly here or there without any rhyme or reason! The scenery was beautiful-at least I think. Streams ran beneath rocky outcroppings, babbling a very different soundtrack from the chaos of the New York City streets. I rarely looked up from the ground for fear of tripping and stumbling back down the hill, thus having to retrace those same painful steps again. I’m told that the views were lovely!
We finally reached the lake, and a much-needed opportunity to rest my poor ankles in the company of Canada geese and a lake full of darting schools of fish. I did it! The way back down was sort of a blur, completed successfully compliments of adrenaline and a large dose of ibuprofen! Final analysis: Was learning what a real hike consists of worth the resulting week of healing ankles? Yes. Will I do this again? Yes…After I’m fully healed. Will I go out and buy hiking boots and better socks? Absolutely.