u/COYSinGA

***Edit: message heard on Canal street. Another Redditor suggested vintage shopping the fashion District near our hotel. I will look into that this evening, but would really appreciate suggestions to help out a middle-aged nerdy, dad***

Hey- Returning to the City after visiting last year on Fall Break. We are a family of 4 with 2 teenage daughters.

Rain last year really hindered our Central Park Day, so we are making sure to plan for a chunk of Wednesday morning. Sukkot fell during our visit last year so B&H Photo was closed the whole time we were in town.

• Arrive Tues the 13th - Moynihan Train Hall 1:10
• Travel to Fashion District Hotel-
• Head to Canal Street - Girls want to bag shop again. They had so much fun last year, they've talked about it almost monthly.
• Visit B&H Photo for Dad between Canal St and early dinner at DTF
• 4:30 Reservation at DTF

-May do camera store after, will see.

• Hudson Yards for Kodansha Pop up. Both girls are big Attack On Titan fans
• Will likely do a treat over this way, any fun spots worth visiting for desserts?

-Head back to hotel for an earlyish night

Wednesday

• Early (7:45am) departure for a morning walk in Central Park Plan for a couple of hours, and likely take B/C up to 72nd or 81st, then head South and East through the park. Open to ideas here. We saw a small sliver last year (Gapstow Bridge and Pond)
• Would love ideas for a quick but delicious lunch near Orchard Street.
• We will head downtown to Tenement Museum for 12:45 reservations for my wife and youngest daughter, while my oldest and I go to the Harry Styles Pop up.
• My daughter wants to visit the NY or Nowhere store nearby.
• We will head back to the hotel so ladies can get ready for the Concert at the Madison Square Gardens.
• likely grab a slice before the show, hopefully at a place on the way to MSG from hotel.
• After the show, we may head to Times Square for the Midnight moment(is it worth it?)
• My wife wants to take the girls to Lillie's Victorian Establishment for a late night drink before heading to the hotel

Thursday-

• Depart mid-day from JFK. Any cool things in the neighborhood (26th and 7th) we can check our before check out, that would be a fun little book end.

Thanks -

Going on a 3 night/4 day trip that starts at Rafferty Creek and out at Happy Isles in a couple of weeks.

Day 1 - TM backpacker camp -> Vogelsang

Day 2 - Vogelsang -> Merced / Washburn via Lewis creek.

Day 3 - Merced -> JMT / CR jct (Here is where I am undecided on route)

A. Lost valley, LYV up to camp 10.6 mi (river canyon)

B. Echo Valley, JMT connector 7.3 mi (short and views) would def camp at Washburn night before

C. Echo Valley, over Clouds Rest down to same camp. 12.6 mi (big day, more elevation gain, but VIEWS!)

Day 4 Early HD summit, back to campsite break camp, JMT to Happy Isles

I’m an experienced backpacker with trips primarily in the Smokies and WNC. My brother is not as experienced, but in excellent shape.

I’d love to do Clouds Rest and HD in back to back days, but would appreciate some advice on my planned route. My plan is to go up Clouds rest from the north and only come down the switch backs.

Are the trails over Moraine Dome a better choice than following the river to LYV?

Are there camping options on the Echo Valley trail that we should consider for night two?

Any insight on camping at Washburn lake is also appreciated. Will reference Elizabeth Wenk’s book this evening as well.

Thanks in advance, this subreddit has been so helpful already!

Have a few more large that I’m looking to trade.

I stopped in the Icewater Spring shelter on Sunday to adjust my boots under a little cover only to discover a pair of backpackers and their “service dog” 5 month old German Shepherd puppy. They were all in the sleeping area and their food was spread all over the sleep platform. My friend pointed at the “no food in the sleeping area” and the hikers got defensive citing they were just rearranging their food, etc.

I mentioned that food in that space attracts rodents and bears to the sleep area, and that this shelter was already closed. Also said that a ranger would not be happy seeing where their food was. They said “Oh, we already spoke to a ranger.”

They mumbled a little more and tried to rationalize their decision. As they were leaving, they guy said maybe I should apply to be a park ranger.

I didn’t even bring up the puppy on the AT in the Smokies. I hate when ppl make poor decisions that go on to affect a lot of others.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading. Should I call the backcountry hiking office?

**Edit - called the office at 8:00 this morning and shared my feedback. He has a ridge runner headed our tomorrow morning. Maybe they will run into them.

Went out of town for Mother’s Day weekend and a nesting pair moved into the griddle through the grease outlet. Guess we’ll just have to make the Weber work for a few weeks…