Name: Forest Bathing at Cranberry Lake Preserve
Start: 2024-11-16T10:00:00-05:00
End: 2024-11-16T16:00:00-05:00

**One of my all-time favorites** 🤩🤩

Let’s lace up 'em hiking boots and get outside for a **forest bathing hike** at **Cranberry Lake Preserve**, reachable by Metro-North to **Valhalla** ... This hike is **EASY PEASY** 😁😆

**WHAT IS FOREST BATHING?** Simply, forest bathing is the Japanese practice of spending time and walking in a relaxed way in a living forest — to "bathe" in its peace and beauty -- and research has found the practice of forest bathing to reduce blood pressure, ease stress, improve mood and sleep, and increase focus and simply recharge the body's batteries.

You can read more about it here: **[http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/May-2017/What-Is-Forest-Bathing/](http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/May-2017/What-Is-Forest-Bathing/)**

We will do our forest bathing at Cranberry Lake Preserve in Valhalla, NY...

**HIKE HIGHLIGHTS**: Remnants of quarry operations, old stone walls, a small cascade, and **scenic 20,000 year old glacial lake, Cranberry Lake**, are features on this hike at Cranberry Lake Preserve.

***Cranberry Lake Preserve*** is a 190-acre park operated by the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Since 1967, the park has been a safe haven for animals and plants, including migratory birds, turtles, and dragonflies. Within the preserve are a variety of habitats including a four-acre lake, cliffs and scrubland, mixed hardwood forest, vernal pools, and a swamp. Visitors can learn about the area's past by following the History Trail to the remains of a 19th-century farmhouse and early 20th-century stone-mining operation.

**GETTING THERE:** We'll meet at Grand Central to take the 10:09AM Metro-North to VALHALLA station. ONE-WAY OFF-PEAK train ticket from Grand Central to VALHALLA is $11.25

NOTE: You can also pick up the same train when it reaches 125th Lexington or any other station outside of GCT. Just check **[www.mta.info](http://www.mta.info/)** for train schedule from your departing station.

**Drivers**: NYC train arrives in Valhalla at 10:56am. You can meet us at Valhalla by no later than 11am please.

**AGENDA**: Once we get to Valhalla, we'll pick up Uber for a 6-min ride (2 miles) to Cranberry Lake Preserve. It's also possible to walk from Kensico Dam Plaza to Cranberry Lake Preserve (about 20-30 min walk over a busy Mt. Kisco Road).

Once we get to the Preserve we'll take a leisurely hike through the woods.

**FULL HIKE DESCRIPTION: [https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/cranberry-lake-preserve](https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/cranberry-lake-preserve)**

**TRAIL MAP**: **[https://parks.westchestergov.com/images/stories/pdfs/CLP_trail_map.pdf](https://parks.westchestergov.com/images/stories/pdfs/CLP_trail_map.pdf)**

After hike we'll make our way back to Valhalla. We'll then explore **[Kensico Dam Plaza](https://parks.westchestergov.com/kensico-dam-plaza)** and "The Rising" sculpture, a memorial to those Westchester residents who perished on September 11.

**HIKE INTENSITY**: Easy breezy to moderate. There are some minor uphill and downhill but nothing strenuous

**TOTAL MILEAGE**: up to about 6-7 MILES, maybe more...who the heck can tell?

**PACE**: Hiking pace will be **LEISURELY**, with lunch, water and snack breaks as needed; as well as taking time to savor the sights and sounds of nature, take photos, hug some trees, and most importantly, socialize with your fellow hikers, ***AND NO ONE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND. WE COME TOGETHER, WE HIKE TOGETHER AND WE FINISH HIKE TOGETHER. PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP if you feel the need to channel your inner Speed Demon!***

**THE IMPORTANT STUFF:**

* Dress in non-cotton layers.
* Wear appropriate shoes suitable for hiking
* Bring at least 3 liters of liquid to stay hydrated.
* Bring lunch and snacks for yourself.
* Bring sunscreen, bug spray, hat cover, and whatever else you need

**WHO SHOULD COME:** Only the brave and happy hikers should come. Sense of adventure and a positive attitude are a must. A smile also goes a long way. Please leave the drama and crankiness at home. **WHINERS AND COMPLAINERS PLEASE STAY HOME.**

**DURATION**: I cannot guarantee finishing time. We'll finish when we finish.

**WEATHER**: Rain, snow, polar vortex cancels

***LIABILITY WAIVER: Come prepared. Participate at your own risks. Hold no one liable, etc, etc.***

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Forest Bathing at Cranberry Lake Preserve

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