Camp Glen Gray, 5/25-28/2007

We stayed at Camp Glen Gray, an old Boy Scout camp in New Jersey’s Ramapo Mountains, for the Memorial Day long weekend. The camp was bought by the county a few years back, but as of yet, it hasn’t seen enough improvements. We had a large group, and nearly most of us slept in our tents, which proved to be a good idea. We were given access to two cabins (the Glen and Gray) for the price of one. This was generous of the camp manager, but the cabins proved to be appropriate only for the bathroom and shower facilities. The presence of mice probably attracted snakes, which were plentiful in the area, at least this time of year. In the Glen cabin, Theresa had the unfortunate experience of stepping on a snake, in an unlighted bathroom. (She escaped without any further incident.) The presence of mold and dirty mattresses also was not very appealing. In addition, we were a bit disappointed to find that there was no lifeguard at the lake, therefore no swimming was allowed. Also, Athmane and I were not aware that the county parks do not allow personal watercraft, only the camp’s rowboats. We would have to find another body of water than the camp’s Lake Vreeland for our kayaks. The generally warm weekend also brought out many annoying insects.

Those issues aside, we enjoyed camping, and the area’s hiking. Most of us arrived Friday evening, in time to make dinner, a campfire, and to play a game or two of Scrabble. On Saturday, Athmane, his wife Sally, Janice, Theresa, Robert and I hiked southwest from camp on the Schuber Trail, and then over to the White and the historic Cannonball Trail to Ramapo Lake. (David L and others decided to drive, and then hike the shorter blue trail to the lake.) Athmane and I planned on doing some swimming in this larger secluded lake. Before arriving at the lake, some of us found our way to the stone ruins of the Van Slyke Castle. Built in the early 1900’s, vandals broke in and burned it down in 1959. We stopped there a while, took photos, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery atop this hill that overlooks Ramapo Lake and the State Forest. We made our way down to the lake and met the others. Athmane and I got our wish as we found some rocks that allowed us to wade into the water for a swim. He and I decided to hike the trails back as the others received rides back to camp.

On Sunday, David L, Walter and Joan hiked west up to the radio tower. Suzanne stayed in camp by the lake. Athmane, Sally, Robert, Theresa, David G and I hiked a longer circuit north of the campground. Later in the hike, we made a wrong turn, and came out of the woods on a back road. Instead of doubling back on a portion of the trail, Athmane, Sally, Robert and Theresa called Denise for a ride back to camp. David and I decided to linger awhile by a small bridge and stream, before heading back up the hill to find the correct trail back to our site. While sitting on rocks by the stream, I noticed I was just a few feet away from what looked like a rattlesnake. It was not agitated (actually just curious), but its closeness startled me, and then David. We decided to get back on the trail, and before too long, we were back at the cabin site where we began.

We made our dinners, and Price, Jean-Lesly and their families made a campfire in the large fire ring across the brook from the cabins and picnic tables. This is where most everyone set up their tents. I was one of the few who had my tent on the other side, closer to the deeper woods and hillside. Later, at about midnight, when I was falling asleep, I momentarily regretted my tent location when I heard rustling in the nearby downed branches and leaves. I shined my headlamp out through my screened tent window to see two eyes shining back at me. It may have been only a deer, raccoon, fox or other small animal, but all I could think of was -- bear! That was distressing only because I had forgotten to take my toiletry bag out of my tent after brushing my teeth. They certainly can be attracted to the scent of toothpaste or deodorant. However, the animal soon ran off after I shouted to scare it away.

On Monday, Athmane, his wife Sally and I satisfied our desire to paddle by driving to nearby Sheppard Lake to use our kayaks.

Although the weekend was generally a success, the run-down condition of the cabins and the "buggy" site should keep our visits limited to spring or fall camping for the near future.

Ken