Wet Weather Hiking?

[Linda Frank]

Had a couple of really interesting hikes planned for this weekend, but the weather apparently isn't going to cooperate.  Pity because most every day this week was more than "hike-worthy" and we couldn't take advantage of that.

Any suggestions for hikes doable under less-than ideal, showery conditions?  Hikes w/not a lot of bouldering, rock climbing or steep, slippery-even-under-ideal-condition elevation changes that would make things more precarious in wet weather? 

The ever-trustworhy ("Blaaahaaaahaaaaa") weather folks are forecasting showers coming in early to mid afternoon. The rain is supposed to start sooner the farther west you travel i.e. Eastern Pa./Western Jersey.   Would like to sort of out run most of it by doing something central/southern or more easterly in Jersey or even NYS if necessary.  Hopefully, keep the initial driving distance to the hike under 2 to 2-1/2 hours as well.  Oh, and something with some good mileage involved.  

Asking for the moon, I suppose.  But it never hurts to ask and this would be about the best resource for that I can think of.  Thanks.

Linda

[Daniela Wagstaff]

I hiked at Point Mountain in Hunterdon County last week on a day with weather forecast as "fog until after 9 am then clearing and sunny the rest of the day."  This same forecast was even repeated three times on the radio on my way there.  Turned out to be a steady drizzle until around 2 pm.  I saw a glimpse of the sun at 7 pm after I was back home.  It wasn't a bad hike in the rain at all except I slid into a creek while rock hopping across because even as careful as I was trying to be, those rocks were wet and slippery!  There is a steeper rocky climb up to the summit of Point Mountain but the rain had stopped when I got there.   Point Mountain Reservation is divided into 3 sections - north, central and south.  Used to be they weren't all connected so you couldn't make a very long hike out of it but they do all interconnect now and I managed an 11.45 hike between the three sections.  This might be one to keep in mind for a rainy day.  Just remember to bring extra socks! 

[Linda Frank]

Thanks, Daniela.  This one might come in handy for this Sunday.  We'd originally planned on going out to do (your hike) at Totts Gap in the DWG.  Take it as far back as the lookout and the old communication tower.  We'd been that far before, coming up from Mt. Minsi and added an extra 2 miles out & back towards Totts Gap but never actually getting there.   Looked forward to trying your version from the other way.  But the weather's not looking too promising for this Sunday now as it had originally been forecast .  Like that's a big news flash!

It's my birthday on Monday, so we were taking the day off and staying overnight in that area hoping to do Big Pocono Mtn. Monday (again...your hike.)  My spirits sure could use a little something "extra" to push my limits especially w/this particularly onerous birthday staring me in the face.  Suffice to say, I got my Medicare card in the mail this week in "honor of this year's natal day".  Bleech!

Not to worry, btw.  I always carry extra socks & undies in case I should slosh in over my ankles and up to my keester. I've already changed long johns in the woods...what's a pair of panties? :)

Linda