A wooded, creekside trail in the early morning hours; my favorite kind of east coast hike. The morning fog has cleared but left a blanket of droplets in the fine hemlock boughs. The slightest disturbance from wind or canopy wildlife sends a fine shower cascading from high above our heads sparkling in brilliant shafts of sunlight that have penetrated into the quiet shade. The air is filled with the trill of thrushes and chip, chirp and chatter of forest birds rising from the understory along with the rat-a-tat of woodpecker drumming reverberating among the towering trees. A creek babbles and splashes as it tumbles across rock and forest debris. The sweet scent of wildflowers accents the damp cool smell of the lush forest floor and grey-brown stone outcroppings stand out in contrast to the green-brown growth. It is peaceful and beautiful!
We are at Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area near Patterson NY and a short drive from camp. We pick up a trail map but still manage to wander off trail. As it turns out, the preserve abuts another conservation area, Great Hollow Nature Preserve and both blaze orange, red and yellow trails. As a result, we actually spend most of our trail time today in the Great Hollow rather than Ciaiola. No worries. It was a great walk and I am looking forward to returning on another coolish morning to check out the trail we meant to explore today. Looks like it is significantly rockier and steeper. We shall see.