The only real plan for the day was a nice long, double loop trail within Ramapo State Forest, an easy ten minute drive from the hotel. At least that was the plan.
According to multiple weather guessers, my best chance for a hike would be in the morning, with only a 30% chance or rain. My mid afternoon, rain was all but certain.
The hiking guidebook has a shorter six and a half mile loop, and an even shorter three mile loop. Hopefully I’d be able to squeeze in the shorter one at least. Finding the trailhead was easy enough. Just as easy, finding the first section of trail with the yellow blazes. The rain was still a very light mist, so I decided to go for it.
By the half mile point, it had turned into a light, but steady rain. Standing at a trail juncture, I had a decision to make. Considering I was carrying the big camera, and “waterproof” is relative, I turned around. This turned out to be the right call. The rain had picked up by the time I had worked my way back to the car.
Another check on the weather radar, it was clear this wasn’t going to let up any time soon. With nothing else to do, I drove back to the hotel. After the rain gear was hung up to dry, I got into dry clothes and simply decided today would be a good time to make use of the Baymont’s guest laundry facilities.
Roadtrip Tip: Pack a couple of Tide Pods in a ziplock. Not every guest laundry has detergent.
Wouldn’t you know, by the time it came out of the dryer, the rain had stopped. With another rain band closing in, another stab at the trail would have to wait until morning.
Sure, I was bummed that the day was a washout, but it was supposed to be rainy the previous day, too. One can’t control the weather. The good news, every weather site was calling for clear and chilly the next day...perfect.
My room at the Baymont Inn was in the back, or as the hotel calls it, a “river view.” I couldn’t see the river from the parking lot, but did take a walk through the trees during the lull in the rain.
Coming Up,
I head back to this trail, and...
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