Back Track Inn (NJ/NY border)

[Appalachian Tater]

No it wasn't but the ice was cold and the lemons were tasty. They had sugar in the little packets.
That reminds me of this little quirk that I bet happens to lots of hikers: After a couple hundred miles I started putting cream and sugar in my coffee. Before that I drank it black my whole life. It took me 2 years after the hike to quit the cream and another 2 or 3 to quit the sugar.

I was drinking a half-gallon of chocolate milk every time I hit town, hadn't had any in years. It's weird how your body creates these strange cravings when it's in calorie deficit.

[rafe]

I spoke with Jim (Murray) at length when I passed through last year. He struck me as a very decent fellow. I can understand that he'd rather not have local kids partying at his place.

[Johnny Thunder]

i'm just ventin'. the last few years i've come across too much "for thru-hiker only" crap.

I hear you. My impression of the guy was that he wasn't the exclusive type. And I'm betting he probably doesn't get asked every year how he wants to portray his location. Guessing, I guess...I was probably one guide book printed it that way...then the next...10 years later he looks like an elitist with two donkeys that like to hump. I mean, the donkeys do like to hump, he's just not an elitist.

[Walessp]

Thanks to all for the speedy and varied responses. As a hiker who's been on the trail for a number of years (off and on in short bursts, weekends etc.), I'm still amazed at the remarkable kindness of "strangers" in the long-distance hiking community. You're the best!

walessp

[horicon]

No, I have not. I did not know it was there.

[Slo-go'en]

If your passing through Unionville, the place to stay is the Mayor's house. He has been taking in hikers, be they section or thru, for 3 years now. I stayed there couple of weeks ago. There is no charge, (though donations are accepted). He feeds you dinner and breakfist, showers are manitory, free use of washer and dryer, ect. Slack packs can also be arranged. 300+ hikers had passed through his house so far this year by the time I got there. He is a bit excentric and has some simple and uinque house rules but he goes out of his way to help hikers and meet thier needs. My take is that he was getting lonely after his wife passed away and gets a kick out of having all these hiker house guests all summer.

All in all, one the highlights of the DWG to Lee, Mass section hike which I just finished yesterday.

[mooseboy]

i'm just ventin'. the last few years i've come across too much "for thru-hiker only" crap.

As a long-time section hiker, I've fortunately found that the "thru-hiker only" restrictions on many things are not meant to be taken literally... at least not as literally as we do here on WhiteBlaze. (Though I have not hiked in the South...)

Granted, I've only hiked in the mid-Atlantic and southern New England, but generally if you're hiking for more than 3 days, you're considered a "real" hiker by most hostels, stores, etc., and will be invited to partake. For instance, as long as you're not hiking with a car-- if you arrived on foot with a pack, and are leaving on foot with a pack, and/or are intimately familiar with the AT, and are only passing through that one time, you are welcome.

I always tell people I'm a sectioner-- I have never pretended to be a thru-hiker to get any favors or trail magic, but people still offer them. Though I try to make sure thru-hikers get first crack at anything...

I think most folks just want to weed out the day hikers, weekend warriors, and bona fide derelicts. I'd heard of Murray's Secret Shelter since my first section hike 6 years ago, and may finally be hiking that part of NJ this summer... so I hope to stop in. I'll let the thrus have the space if it gets full, and tent out, but I can't imagine I'd be asked to leave just because I'm a section-hiker... that kind of goes against the inclusive spirit of the AT and long distance hiking in general.

[Lone Wolf]

Though I try to make sure thru-hikers get first crack at anything...

why? what makes one better than you?

[mooseboy]

why? what makes one better than you?

While I don't think of thru-hikers as inherently "better", I do respect their effort and determination. I believe they are doing something very difficult which deserves at least some recognition.

That said, I still consider myself, and other section hikers, worthy of hiker resources as well... I don't think of thrus as the only ones worthy of a nice hostel or a free can of soda from a Trail Angel... but they do have a lot harder, longer trek than I do, and if there's only 1 Gatorade left in the cooler and 5 miles to the next water source, I'm just saying I'd let them have it. (though to be honest, most thru-hikers I've met are very considerate, and would offer to split it. In fact, they're probably taking pity on me because I'm not as conditioned as they've become.)

This is trickier to answer than I thought... Ultimately I think everyone has their own philosophy about this.

For example, I still think of shelters as "first come, first served", so it's not like I'm going to give up my spot just because someone's hiking farther than me. On the other hand, when I see people just out for one night overrunning a shelter, I'll admit I think of that as bad form. (LW, I know you're not a Shelter fan anyway; I'm just using an example--)

[rich5665]

Is Murray's still open and if not where's a good place to stay in Greenwood Lake? I'll be ending my section hike in Greenwood and would like to rest up before heading home.

[Sly]

Is Murray's still open and if not where's a good place to stay in Greenwood Lake? I'll be ending my section hike in Greenwood and would like to rest up before heading home.

He's still in the Companion. (I'm sure the number of years he's been hosting hikers is off)

Trail to Jim Murray Property (0.4 mile north of Goodrich Road)—West 0.2 mile to
well water. For the past 13 years, Jim Murray (AT ’89), (845) 986-0942, <backpack@
warwick.net>, has cordially allowed long-distance hikers year-round use of a
heated hiker cabin, with outdoor shower and privy, on his property adjacent to the
Trail; no groups. Tenting allowed. Follow the “well water” sign. Th is is a privately
owned cabin. Be responsible, and please do not abuse this privilege.

If you find his contact info has changed, please let me now and I'll get it updated.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Is Murray's still open and if not where's a good place to stay in Greenwood Lake? I'll be ending my section hike in Greenwood and would like to rest up before heading home.

I stayed at Jim Murray's cabin in May 2011, as far as I know it is still open.

As other people have said, his sign specifies that "long distance hikers" are welcome to use the cabin. In reality I think that it's his way of saying that he wants to help people who are focused on hiking rather than partying.

The evening that I stayed there he stopped by as he was driving by and said hello. He was a genuinely nice guy, when he asked how our hike was going we were honest about the fact that we were only out for two weeks and he didn't seem to mind. We were respectful and left the place as clean or cleaner than we found it, I got the feeling that was all he was looking for.

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[rich5665]

That's good to know. I know 80 miles may not be long distance to some. But it's going to my first hike over that's over 20 miles and more than 2 days. I'll check the contact information and post any updates. I sent an email to the address (Jim Murray (AT ’89), (845) 986-0942, <backpack@warwick.net>) supplied by Sly, I'll post a response to that as well should I receive one. Thank you both (Sarcasm the Elf and Sly) for your quick responses to my inquiry.

[rich5665]

I received a response from Jim Murray this morning, the cabin is still there and his contact info email at least is good. Thanks again for the feed back

[Sly]

I received a response from Jim Murray this morning, the cabin is still there and his contact info email at least is good. Thanks again for the feed back

Thanks. I'll email him to see if he wants anything changed.

A journey starts with a single step. Have a great hike!

[rich5665]

I had the opportunity stop by the shelter, it is a beautifil loking place with great views. It was nice to be able get out of the rain and eat lunch.

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