They Closed the Park.......I Went Hiking Anyway

Thacher State Park, New York
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

I mentioned a few posts ago that the Governor of NY decided to close several state parks in an attempt to save money. They did in deed close but I knew that the look out was still open so I thought I should still be able to get on the trails to do some hiking. So without hesitation I found another nice day and headed back to Thacher Park for some more hiking. Who knew how "closed" the place was really going to be.

This is what I was met with at every other parking lot in the park. I did manage to park at the Scenic lookout for a while.

I actually had a plan to hike a certain trail but I was met with barricades at the trail entrance. I was easily able to walk by these.

Unfortunately I was met a little bit later with a completely locked gate at the actual entrance to the trail.

With the assistance of another hiker who was also not expecting a locked gate, I climbed over the gate and hit the trail. It actually is a really nice little hike. Everything I have read said that it was a lot of fun for kids and I can see why. Here you have to bend down real low to get under this section of rock.

At this part of the trail you actually have to walk under a small waterfall. That is the one other person on the trail with me. Earlier on the trail he felt it necessary to point out a poisonous snake that I had walked by unaware. That changed the complexion of the rest of my hike.

Some of the stairwells you have to climb on the trail. It is called the Indian Ladders Trail.....but these stairs are the closest thing you would find to a ladder. These stairwells were kept up but I was a little worried in other places on the trail where there should have been safety rails that were clearly missing. You could also tell that we were not the first ones to climb over that locked gate.

Even with the locked gates......it was nice to be outside.

I can only assume that this was not always ripped and lying on the ground. I have a feeling some hikers were showing their displeasure with the park closure. They certainly made it easier for me to negotiate this part of the path.

You will all be happy to know that shortly after this The Governor changed his mind and re-opened the parks. Smartest thing he has done in a while.

Julie

P.S Sorry about the weird editing. I was playing with a few of my settings and then I couldn't get rid of them.