2020-06-06 42 -78

Location

Next to Thunder Rocks at Allegany State Park

Participants

Pedalpusher
Friend L
Simon the dog
Myka the dog

Expedition

When the hashpoints were published on Friday, I was happy (as I always am) to see when they land in Allegany. This one was right next to a Horse Trail that I've been wanting to explore for a while and it was a perfect opportunity to scratch that one off the list. My friend L had also indicated an interest in hiking with me, so I reached out and let her know the plan. I figured we could aim to get there around 13:00, hike for a couple hours along that trail and then hit the hash for an Official Saturday Meetup. She was interested so we set the plan for the next day.

In the morning, as I walked over to the mailbox to drop off a ballot for the local school district, I realized the Farmer's Market had finally opened up. I had to turn around and grab a mask from home so I could grab a couple broccoli plants on the way back. Getting them set up in the garden was the most I accomplished in the morning before getting ready to drive to ASP for the Hike/Hash. My friend texted saying she was running a bit late, but we managed to get there around 13:30 within a few minutes of each other.

Thunder Rocks at ASP is pretty popular in general, but this weekend, with the nice weather and people itching to get out of the house, the parking lot was pretty packed. I still wasn't that concerned, because everyone goes to the rocks and not for a hike...Meeting L, we started to walk to the trailhead and right in front of us was a group of young hikers. I have never seen anyone use this path before. We were eventually able to work our way past them and then the dogs got to run free. Based on their footwear, I did not expect to see that group on the way back.

We had a nice hike that was mostly flat and the few muddy patches were easily avoided. About halfway out, we met two younger guys walking the other way and we said hi as they passed us. Getting to the end of our trail, we decided to keep walking for a bit extra on the trail that we met before turning around. I estimated we could hike for about 15 more minutes to get pretty close to 16:00 back at the hash.

Making our way back to the parking area, I put my daypack back in the car and we wandered through Thunder Rocks toward the hash. I had trouble with the GPS last time and again I couldn't get a signal to track with the unit. Switching back to my phone, I fortunately had just enough signal to use the Hashdroid App. I was really hoping the hash would be at one of the giant rocks, but it was off in the woods about 100 meters away and just across a pipeline that ran by.

Getting to the Hash Area, I started the GPS dance and L started following me as I zigged and zagged my way through the trees. She started to get frustrated as we walked back and forth as I explained I was trying to get a close reading. She eventually stopped and waited for me to lock in on the hash and declaring I 'found the spot' before walking over. I got a couple pictures and was very happy to see we made the hash at exactly 16:00 for an Official Saturday Meetup.

On the hike back, I had mentioned that there was an Ice Cream shop at the Red House beach. I could see it from the other side of the lake as I drove in, but couldn't tell if it was open or not. L was very eager to try (who doesn't want ice cream after a hike?) so we drove over. I had wondered why we didn't meet those two guys again walking back, but we found them on the road walking back to their car. They took (knowing or not) the long way back to their car.

Unfortunately, the ice cream place was closed due to COVID-19, but we took the dogs over to the water so they could swim for a few minutes and get cleaned off. We still wanted ice cream, so we decided to stop in Ellicottville on the way home at a shop there. Ice cream finally in hand, we capped off a perfect day of hiking and adventure.

Photos

Made it!
And exactly on time for an Official Saturday Meetup, too!
Hashdogs at the hash.
Stupid Grins don't feel as stupid when you have someone with you.
Writing this up a week later, I no longer remember the direction I was facing, but a view of the woods from the hash.
Another view, looking the other way.