I caught the train up to Cold Spring today two hours later than I'd intended, but at least an hour earlier than last weekend. The subway was far less crowded (thank goodness!) and there didn't seem to be huge crowds of hikers exiting the train with me, so I went ahead with the classic 5.5 mile loop, taking Washburn up and over Bull Hill, then returning on Notch, Brook, and Cornish.
It was perfect weather. Saw a paper wasp nest, the usual variety of fungi (including one that looked a little like a cross section of a tree branch) a low-flying turkey vulture overhead at the summit, two caterpillars (one on the trail and one on a Pepsi machine at the station), a very pale spider (also at the station).
Had to push myself a bit, and stopped for several water breaks to catch my breath on the way up, but it felt really good. (This is all very unlike last weekend, when I'd gone up the gentler Nelsonville trail to avoid the crowds – doing Washburn as a descent – and remained in the grip of lethargy and a sense of pointlessness all the way.)
Supported the local economy by buying some gelato afterward (flavor: cookies and cream).
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| paper wasp nest to the left of the trail on the ascent |
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| ungathered mushrooms |
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| ¡si, oruga! |
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| shy little spider on railing |
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