Saturday, May 7th

Deckertown Turnpike, Iris Trail (1334.5 mi) to Pochuck Mountain Shelter (1353.9 mi)

Hiking Miles: 19.4

Total Ascent: 2,419.6 ft

Total Descent: 2,881.9 ft

Total Grade: 275.9 ft/mi

Steps: 45,802

Today was extremely cold and rainy throughout. Teresa dropped us off at the trailhead before heading back to New Hampshire. As we exited the truck at the trailhead parking area, we saw Flower Power and her friend Dana – perfect timing. Flower Power had been visiting with her friend, who travelled (from DC I believe) to hike and spend a few days together.

It was by far the coldest day we experienced on trail (or at least it felt that way). When we reached High Point (the highest elevation in New Jersey), we decided to pass on hiking the blue blaze trail to the monument because it was way too cold and wet; my fingers were literally numb even with my gloves on. Rather, we stopped by a service building that had a bathroom and a small store to warm up a bit. The bathroom was heated so after being there a few minutes, and running my hands under hot water, I started to feel my fingers again. Then as timing would have it (again), who dropped in but Full-Tilt and Hardway, who had stayed with friends for a few days, so our overall “paces” were the same.

Back on trail, we decided to skip a place called the “Secret Shelter” that apparently had a donkey who lived outside on the grounds. Later on we found out from Full-Tilt and Hardway that the shelter had a heater, and with it being a very cold day, Stevie was bummed that we didn’t stop to check it out.

We did hit a patch of green where the rain had stopped and the wind died down, and you could immediately feel the difference. And during that stretch, we met some animal friends (cows) chilling in a pasture.

Toward the end of our hiking day, we experienced a long up hill climb to the Pochuck Shelter with very little water sources along the way. We arrived there just minutes before Full-Tilt and Hardway (we were the only four hikers who set up there for the evening). 

After cooking a hot dinner, we immediately went to bed (even though it was only 6:00 pm) because we were freezing! Full-Tilt had asked if we were interested in playing cards, but hunkering down in our warm puffy quilts was our top priority so we graciously bowed out. While trying to get warm, Stevie ordered Teresa a Burton Grill’s gift card for Mother’s Day from all the siblings.