Reeves Brook: Can't stay away from that Harriman State Park

Blue, purple and faded brown wings greet me as I approach the well beaten path. Butterfly wings spread out 3.5 inches laying still in the rustle of the wind lay on the gritty gray ground. Earlier in the week I had seen a yellow swallowtail, could this be a sign of transformation? That word transformation lingered in the empty spaces of my brain as I trekked leisurely through the ever-changing forest. AllTrails lead me back to Harriman State Park in the beloved state of New York. Harriman is where my thirst for the Appalachian Trail began. The Reeves Brook Loop Trail is a 3.8 mile loop near Sloatsburg where you’ll encounter rock scrambles, open fields of forest, rivers, streams and waterfalls. This trail is incredibly stimulating and it keeps you asking for more at every twist and turn. Short rectangular white blazes mark the rocks and trees along the way although at some points it is hard to understand which direction they lead but I actually used my compass!

Embarking on a Thrilling Rock Climbing Adventure at Harriman State Park

Two wispy trees formed an arch as I made my way up the first climb as if to welcome me into a newfound world. Silver rocks peered their heads throughout the path, some vertical and some horizontal. Wooly Rock cap Moss plastered their faces with patches of moon like craters. As for the vertical rock scramble, I was flabbergasted and ill-prepared for it. Or should I say, I had Meraxes with me and I had no idea how my four-legged baby would be able to do it. Hand and foot placement was crucial as I slid within inches off the rocks into the unforgiving moist ground. Meraxes instinctively seemed to know where to go even though sometimes she would go right when I went left. Seldomly, I had to hoist her up as she slid slightly down the rocks as we neared the top. It was absolutely incredible to rock climb basically with no equipment and my newly donated ULA Circuit pack. At 8.7 pounds base weight with my quilt and clothes, I was ready to give her a test run!’

Together we went over the Seven Hills Trail and what a sight to be seen. Expect the elevation to be within 882-1200 feet in some areas but without the strenuous climb. Deep sea blue gave character to the mountains that lay nearly planar in the distance as broccoli like tree tops sat within view. Down and up the mountains, through the tapered path and past the high brush we never faltered. Hot sweat dripped from my forehead and stung the corners of my dark brown eyes without hesitation. Full exposure to the sun was brutal on the balds even though it was late in the afternoon. The sun had no mercy but I had no complaints as she kissed down on her lovely creations. Meraxes and I took an hour to rest on the rocks and take in the sights that Mother Nature put on her earth. We enjoyed tart blueberries we had picked earlier along with juicy green kiwi and some jerky (not for the dog). 

Six hikers passed by, one was an older white man that creeped me out. He stared at me and continued on but eventually I saw him resting and staring me down. I will admit that this was the most sketchy situation I have encountered. Behind me was a group of ladies that I decided to hang back with for thirty minutes before proceeding back under the treeline. Always trust your instincts but never show fear. Once I got my confidence back I weaved between dense forest to open patches of green grass to a watery playground. Just when I thought I had seen it all, the almighty river appeared to take me on a scenic ride. Small pure white cascades drew my attention and took my breath away. Ah, the sound of running water is like mother’s milk.

I walked to the lullaby picturing each drop of water that had been collected to make such a symphony. Throughout all the silence the water was like a cold refreshing sour beer on the hottest summer day. Hints of love and warmth build up like the pressure of tons of gallons of water racing through the forest. Of course with rivers comes mosquitoes and mud but in the midst of it all there is life abound. Dragonflies feast on hundreds of those blood suckers, bees pollinate the flowers and rocks create detours from a mucky mess. There is beauty where there is chaos. Water, like the sun, is the center of life and all creatures seek it. Where there is a water source there are bears and thus I ran into my first lanky teenager. As I came to the end of my trek, I took one last glance across the river as there is no obstruction from trees. On the other side of the river where the sun didn’t shine and the land seemed sleepy, out came a bear. Of course it was seven in the evening at this point and I walked completely oblivious for hours but I still looked at my surroundings. 

Out comes an unsuspecting thin black bear about four feet tall and cute as hell. I tapped my trekking poles twice and she looked completely confused. 

“BLACK BEAR ARE YOU OUT THERE!” I yell. 

The next thing I know she takes off like a bat out of hell. My confidence soared higher than the Empire State building just knowing I showed her off. Someone give this girl a beer! It was such a powerful way to end my seven mile hike. New York gave me hope today and a new word to embrace. Transformation.