Name: NEW YORK CITY CHRISTMAS TOUR
Start: 2024-11-30T12:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-12-01T02:30:00.000Z
Location: Hamilton Train Station

PARKING FEE!!!
LONG\|TOUGH HIKE
13 Miles & 1,300 Feet Elevation

YOU MUST EMAIL/MESSAGE (meetup or john.luczkowski@gmail.com) if you've not done a hard/difficult hike with me to discuss before I approve.

Located along the New Jersey side of the Hudson river just north of New York City, Palisades Interstate Park offers a challenging workout, spectacular views, and a rock scramble fit for an emperor! This 13 mile hike featuring amazing views of the Hudson River, and on a clear day, New York City in the far distance, from both high and from river level will challenge your stamina and leave you breathless, but in a good way!

The first half of the hike features amazing views of Westchester County NY and the Hudson River from on high, on top of the Palisade rock formations that the river eats through slowly, year after year, over millions of years. Eventually we will wind our way down to river level and about 60% of the way through the hike we will stop at a nice little park, hopefully benches will be available, to rest, eat, and refresh. Then the fun begins!

The second half of the hike features the famous "Giant's Stairs" - a mostly horizontal (but sometimes upward) over massive and tiny boulders/rocks that will test your hand/eye coordination and get your blood pumping. While not as challenging as other rock scrambles we do regularly, it's not for the faint of heart or those who aren't active! Upon reaching the end of the scramble it's almost vertical ascent up easy, but steep, trails back up to the top of the ridge line and a few more spots for amazing pictures of the river and valley below, as we make our way back to our cars.

**BASIC INFO**

* DAY & DATE: Sunday November 17th
* START TIME: 10:00 AM (AND WE START ON TIME!)
* LOCATION: State Line Lookout, Palisades Interstate Park Commission
* ADDRESS: State Line Lookout, Closter, NJ 07624
* There is a small parking fee per car (payable by app/credit card there)
* LENGTH: 13 Miles
* ELEVATION: 1,300Feet
* END TIME: 4:30-5:00 PM (hike done)

**GEAR:**

* Hiking boots. I recommend using a pair that balance out foot/ankle protection and lightweight design to make rock scrambles easier
* Water
* Appropriate clothing
* A change of clothes for after (your discretion)
* I also advise people bring hiking bags. You NEED your hands free for rock scrambling.
* Snacks (as you see fit)/lunch for our break

**AFTERWARDS**

* We will head to a brewery in nearby Westwood for some drinks. They don't serve food, but you can order from any nearby restaurant and have it delivered or pick it up. I'll have suggestions the day of the hike. Everyone's welcome.

**CANCELLATIONS**

* I do not cancel hikes for inclement weather. It must be dangerous conditions and/or dangerous travel. If I do need to cancel or postpone I do so as early as possible.
* You may cancel at anytime up to and including the start time of the hike. Cancellations without contacting me after the start of an event counts as a no-show. More than 3 no-shows gets you removed from the group.

Wild Outdoor Adventures

John L

Jimmy

Jessica

LONG/TOUGH HIKE - The Giant's Stairs

State Line Lookout, Palisades Interstate Park Commission

**NEW YORK CITY XMAS TOUR**
8-10 Miles

**DESCRIPTION**
I love Philadelphia and our city is quite magical during the holidays. But you cannot honestly top New York City and the crowds and excitement throughout the time from Thanksgiving to New Year's. Join me as we walk and make use of the extensive subway system to see some of the best sights the Big Apple has to offer during the holiday season.

***Highlights of the Trip include:***

* Hudson Yards and the "Vessel"
* Walk along the famous elevated urban park called the High Line
* Shopping & quick food & restroom break at Chelsea Market
* Walk through Greenwich Village with a stop for a slice of the best pizza in New York
* NOHO and Chinatown for some shopping and more food
* Hour plus break to shop, eat, and explore the annual Holiday Market at Union Square
* Chance to see the world famous window displays at Macy's on Herald Square and do a little shopping
* Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza and the giant Christmas Tree, and more all after the sunsets.

**CONDITIONS \| EXPECTATIONS**

* This is a long day. There will be several times where the group can break off to explore and shop and eat on their own, though of course, everyone is welcome to follow me around and go where I go. Throughout the day I will provide clear directions and expectations of where and when to meet back with the group if you decide to wander on your own.
* You MUST bring a fully charge Smart Phone with a gps app on it so that if and when you break off from the group you can find your way back to the next meeting spot at the right time
* I will provide everyone with a list of good places to shop and eat at each break point and a more detailed, minute by minute plan which you can then use to plan out the day about a week before.
* I'm estimate about 8 to 9 miles worth of walking, though that will vary from person to person depending on how much you wander around on breaks.
* This event involves two train trips back and forth on NJ Transit from Hamilton NJ as well as three to four rides on the NYC subway system. Instructions will be sent to folks a week out about how to prepare and get tickets.

**BASIC INFO**

* DAY & DATE: Saturday November 30th, 20224
* START TIME: 7:00 AM
* LOCATION: Hamilton Train Station
* ADDRESS: 600 Sloan Ave, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619
* LENGTH: 8-10 Miles
* ELEVATION: LOL. Minimal
END TIME: 9:15 - 9:30 PM (back at Hamilton Station)

**GEAR:**

* SMARTPHONE WITH GPS app such as Google or Apple Maps
* Sturdy shoes for this! Sneakers or hiking boots - your choice - just keep in mind that whatever you were will get miles on them and may get a little wet, muddy, dirty, etc.
* Appropriate clothing for temperature and precipitation
* I also advise people bring bags to store stuff in
* Water/Snacks (as you see fit).

**PARKING & MEETING LOCATION & TIME**

* Meet - parked, packed, and by train track at 7:00 AM
* We will gather near the indoor waiting area and catch the 7:04 AM (I'll update time a few days out if it changes by a few minutes) to NYC.
* Parking fee applies
* DO NOT LEAVE valuables in your car!
* I will post a comment with my outfit for those who do not know what I look like

**BATHROOMS/BREAKS**

* Bathrooms available at the start/end
* We will have plenty of snack, food, and bathroom breaks throughout the day in NYC
* As previously mentioned I will provide people with specific meeting points and times to gather back as a group at the times when we break off. Again, you are welcome to just tag along with me.
* Again, I will provide a list of suggested/cool/nice stores to shop in and places to eat or grab a drink for the times we stop. PLEASE look at it ahead of time to make sure you have an idea of what you want to do at each of the longer breaks so you do not miss out on something, get lost, or end up on your own because you did not arrive back to meeting spot to continue the group tour on time.

**AFTERWARDS \| RETURN TRIP**

* Plan on getting back to Hamilton station between 9:15 and 9:45 PM, though of course, we can't predict if traffic, train issues, etc. will be problematic. We will try and sit together on the way home, but that may take a few stops if the train is crowded heading back.

**MEMBERSHIP.**

* You must have done an event prior to this one in order to sign up.
* I'm limiting every member to 1 guest. And they must be capable of keeping up throughout the day and following directions. This is not designed for your to bring your extended family and take up spots. All attendees must be approved by me.

**CANCELLATIONS**

* I do not cancel hikes/events for weather unless it's dangerous travel conditions, or constant, all-day downpours. This hike/tour can easily be done in light/fine rain or even sno with an umbrella or rain jacket.
* You must contact me to drop out or I will remove you from the group. Since this is limited space I take it as a personal insult if you cannot be bothered to explain why you need to drop out.

Jeanine

Stephanie Sandone

NEW YORK CITY CHRISTMAS TOUR

Hamilton Train Station

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