Discovering Sugarloaf Mountain: A Thrilling Hiking Adventure

Dragonsky writes in her journal at sunset

It’s 8:12 pm and the sun is setting. I am no stranger to sunsets but this one was colorful. It as if I were looking at a canvas with the sun being the middle and strongest force within the hues of the orange, pink, and blue sea of dreams. She smiled at me with her light as she looked upon the Catskills. With my eyes steady on the horizon, my face became aglow like a Sunflower basking in all her wonders. Cirrus clouds linger above her crown, blessing her as they remain still. The sky had become hazy, one that I am not acquainted with. After all, a violent thunderstorm had shaken the Earth and cried during its fit. But even then, the Earth blessed us with a gorgeous sunset. The mountains fade as night crawls but they still stand like beacons in the night. I am forever grateful.

Exploring the Natural Beauty Beyond New York City

Every time I journey into the boss state that is New York, I realize that there really is more to New York than New York City. Sounds like a tongue twister, I know. But seriously, this state is magnificent in all of its natural ways. I had visited Bear Mountain many times in the past but I admit, I haven’t ventured much outside of the steep giant. On tonight’s menu was Sugarloaf Mountain Trailhead located in Hudson Highlands State Park. It is part of the Catskills Mountain range in the Southeast part of the state, making it only about an hour and fifteen-minute drive for me. I never mind a nice drive with scenic bold green mountains in every single direction, it’s so cathartic. Living in North Jersey is like giving a kid hundreds of candy bars. There are endless opportunities between the Poconos, Kittatinny Ridge, and up north to the Adirondacks leading to various hiking adventures

Fortunately for me, I joined the Northern New Jersey hiking group and have hiked with phenomenal people in places I have never heard or dreamed of. Now, my eyes have been opened, I am learning and growing with every trek that we take. I love the Monday night hikes as hiking in the dark is a challenge and also tons of fun. I am not going to lie to you, I am terrified of the dark and I always have been since I was a tiny sprout. But hey, at least I am with a group. There is power in numbers. 

I arrived about ten minutes late but I was still able to meet up with the group. BPT or Black People Time is a legit thing. Fortunately, others were also late and I was able to join the group for our trek. Sugarloaf crosses paths with Breakneck Ridge (coming soon!) and has taken some of its genetic build. The path we choose only ended up being a mile hike but there were various inclines. Nothing too bad and too demanding of the legs but you definitely feel the fire igniting in them. What I noticed first is that this trail is heavily trafficked as the trail is flat, light like sand, and devoid of plant growth. Around the trail there is deep green foliage, unlike the bright nearly lime green foliage in New Jersey. Rocks are not so abundant at first but don’t fret there is a scramble to the top if you so choose that path. Again, not anything near as vertical as Breakneck Ridge. Big boulders and small loose rock particles make up the last ascent to one of the balds. A few people go around and take the easier route but I was ready to be on hands and knees! 

Conquering the Mountain Summit: A Personal Journey

One by one I grabbed the rough and jagged rock. My legs propelled me higher and higher without complaining. This section had been easier than the small slopes we had already devoured. Scrambling up a cliff of a mountain had always been an aspiration of mine and here I was doing the damn thing. It took about ten minutes and four swigs of my one liter of water to reach our destination. Many people of our group booked it and were already basking in the glory of the sun but I was slower and ended up in the back with two others. Pacing is something that I have learned to do because I will in fact get sick and I have actually injured myself speed walking. On the first bald we encountered I guess what you would refer to as a tree or tree branch that everyone climbed on, held on like Titanic or avoided. Below this sturdy tree is a drop, so whatever you do, do it at your own risk. We stayed there for a moment’s notice and moved to the actual summit. 

When we finally got to the top we were awe-struck. Everyone took out their phones, beer, weed what say you, and lavished at the moment. To the far right, a nasty grey cloud had released its fury upon one specific section of the Catskills. To the left was Breakneck ridge, my future beast to conquer. Right down the middle were the river and the rays of the sun that floated on it. Gold rays reflected from the water, it was like nothing I can explain. Just marvelous, completely, and utterly marvelous. I had seen sunsets in California and other countries but this was the Queen of Spades. Though the Catskills are not the tallest of the mountain ranges,  they helped put on this spectacular show. Their dim shadows made great impressions as the sun vanished into the horizon. Cool air nipped at my ears and my naked arms once the sun was gone. Immediately, I became hypothermic from all the gallons of sweat pouring from every centimeter of my body. I threw on my long sleeve super soft v-neck from Aeropostale that just so happened to be made out of polyester (cotton is bad!). Moisture-wicking is extremely important while hiking especially in hot temperatures. Cotton makes things get all swamp ass-like. No one likes swamp ass. As soon as I threw my clothes on, a storm cloud approached and someone yelled “Rain! It’s raining! A storm is coming!”

Sunset on the Hudson River

I have never seen people move so fast, you would think that Shake Shack was giving away free milkshakes. We did not mess around because being on a bald on a high mountain is a great setup to get struck by lighting. My heart speed like a bullet train as I threw all my trash, journal, and water bottle back into my purple bag. I knew we had to get under tree line and fast. Everyone got out their headlamps and down the mountain, we went in the darkness with the wind howling in our ears. As we came down the group leader taught me how to use my trekking poles. I had been using them wrong for months! I admit I was so embarrassed but this is why it is beneficial to hike with someone who has proficiency in camping and hiking. The poles are supposed to point backward on flat land, propelling and giving you a push steady down the trail. The poles go in front when you are going down steep inclines for stability and balance. Also, for busting your ass like me. Learning a new thing every day is a goal for me and I am grateful to have been taught the right way. As we approached the end of the trail I worked on using my poles and I felt like I was gliding through the trail with skates. One foot in front of the other through the darkness I had gained some confidence. I had gained friends and I had gained a newfound appreciation for sunsets. Until next time, New York.