Appalachian Mountain Club New York-North Jersey

From Rolande Hodel (Westchester Hiking Meetup) and Hank Zupnick:

Join us on Friday to work off a little, or a lot, of your Thanksgiving extra portions. This two-loop trail brings us back to our starting point after an easy to low-moderate 3.7 miles, with the option to continue (as both of us plan to) for a moderate, sometimes moderate plus, additional 3.8 miles.

Overview:

• 9 am, Friday, November 29
• Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Pound Ridge, NY
• 3.7 miles (easy to low-moderate) or 7.5 miles (moderate)
• No bushwacking or stream crossings; the Blue Trail (moderate) includes an uphill climb as well as a downhill rock scramble

Details:

Our Friday hike takes us to the eastern and northern parts of Westchester's largest park.

We'll start with the Brown Trail, whose 3.7 miles are among the easiest of the 35 miles of trails in the park, and where we'll hike clockwise. We'll follow the Cross River for the first mile before turning north, and then east and south. The Brown Trail is mostly flat, although there is a long-but-gentle ascent between park junctions 5 and 6 and a shorter ascent near the end. While sneaker-clad families often populate the Brown Trail on weekends, parts of it are rocky; boots and poles are strongly recommended, even for those planning to end after the Brown Trail.

After finishing the Brown Trail, we'll pass through our parking area, the end point for those doing the 3.7 mile outing; continuing hikers will pick up the 3.8 mile Blue Trail. On the Blue Trail, we'll hike counter-clockwise towards Gilmore Pond, about an hour away. The route starts with a steady 15 minute ascent, then levels off and includes a rocky descent, of a type familiar to anyone who has hiked in Harriman. Soon thereafter, we'll briefly skirt Gilmore Pond, which unfortunately is private property and guarded with "No Trespassing" signs and allegedly by giant snapping turtles, and then follow the trail back north, returning us to our cars.

Lunch: Participants hiking the Brown Trail only can expect to be done around 11:15, so will not need to bring lunch. For participants continuing on the Blue Trail, we'll figure out lunch as we go. And for everyone, water is a must.

In Re dogs: Ward Pound Ridge is considered a dog-friendly park, and as we've done on previous Ward Pound Ridge hikes, we'll open this one to well behaved dogs. Panda, the Australian Sheep Dog who sometimes joins us, will likely be there on Friday. If you would like to bring a dog, you must notify us when you RSVP.

Public Transportation: the nearest MetroNorth station is Katonah on the Harlem line, about 7 miles/15 minutes away. Please private message me in advance if you're considering this option.

AMC Health Advisory: Covid-19 has persisted in our region from its onset in 2020. In the interest of public health, do not join this hike if symptomatic of Covid-19 or infected with it, or if recently in close contact with someone who has subsequently become symptomatic of Covid-19 or infected with it.

Greetings

its that time when we burn off the calories after devouring the bird

no better way than taking a walk in the woods

trails will depend on how many show up

Hike will begin at the lake tiorati parking area harriman st pk
PLEASE NOTE trailhead is 1/4 mile past the entrance booths
please make the extra drive

bring boots, water and a reasonably good attitude

NO DOGS
NO SMOKING
sorry no public transportation

thanks
jay
201 966- 5482

Photo credit: Open Space Institute

Let's have a mini adventure post Thanksgiving! Manitou Pont Preserve has several short hiking trails to explore. On this trip, we will be exploring the short distanced trails from the parking lot: Perimeter Trail, Livingston Trail, Copper Mine Trail, Upland Trail, Manitou Road Bypass Trail and the short Connector Trail (not listed in hiking order). Combined, we will hike close to 4 miles. All trails share a unique view of the wooded landscape and provide a different hike experience from views of a ravine to a slight view of the Hudson River.

Here's the plan: For those of us who are taking the MetroNorth train, we meet outside the platform at the Manitou train station (pulls into the station at 9:04am). From there we'll walk together to the parking lot trail head to meet up with fellow hikers who drove. Together we'll begin our adventure on the Perimeter trail which leads us to the other trails.

Trail Map Link: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/osi-craft/Manitou_TrailSign_June2018.pdf

Important to know:
This hike is both public transportation and beginner friendly. The general pace will be social and steady. We will take breaks as needed and decide as a group where we will have our lunch. There are no bathrooms on the trail or at the train station. The rating is moderate due to the terrain and not suitable for folks who have trouble with gradual and steep ascents/descents.

MetroNorth Train Schedule (https://new.mta.info/schedules):
Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan: Take the 7:50am Hudson Line 8807 Poughkeepsie bound train to Manitou Train Station. Arrival is scheduled for 9:04am into Manitou.
Harlem 125th Street Station: Same train mentioned above pulls into Harlem at 8:01am.
Tip: Sit in the last two train car because the doors only open in the rear at Manitou.

Driving Location:
Manitou Point Preserve Parking Lot,
90 Mystery Point Rd Garrison, NY 10524
New York, Hudson River Valley, NY

What to bring/pack/wear:

• New to hiking? Here is a link that hopefully answers your gear questions: https://amc-ny.org/hiking-faqs/
• Appropriate, sturdy hiking footwear is a MUST (this terrain is not suitable for regular running/walking sneakers or boots with zero tread);
• Trekking poles are highly suggested;
• Lunch, snacks and 2-3 liters of water.

FYI: Severe weather cancels the hike and we would try to reschedule.

Moderate hike, 8-9 miles. Meet in Commuter lot. Hike time is meet 10:00 am, to accommodate the folks taking the train. Not a beginner hike, come dressed for the weather, two liters water, No runners, no dogs. Rain cancels the hike.

Drivers, as you come into Tuxedo pass the RR station take a right turn (East Village Road) cross the RR tracks and park in the commuter lot.

Train riders, take the NJ Transit train out of Secaucus station to arrive in Tuxedo at 10:30 am.

Note: Richard is also the Wilderness First Aid instructor of the New York-North Jersey Chapter.