What we’re about
Strap on your best outdoor walking boots and head for the great outdoors with the Gay Mens' Hiking Group. This woodsy gang of dudes takes day trips to nearby mountains, forests and nature trails. Recent trips have included a winter hike in the Hudson Highlands and a vigorous 10 mile hike in Harriman State Park. We also do an overnight camping trip every year on Fire Island, which is easy and a lot of fun.
We try to do at least one hike per month. Our trips are accessible by trains out of NYC. The guys coming from the city meet in Grand Central or Penn Station and travel upstate together. For the drivers I provide details on parking near the trail head and we meet them there.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Suffern SundayPennsylvania Station, New York, NY
This hike will be different, it’s in a more remote park and we won’t see so many other hikers. It’s longer too, more in the woods and less dramatic views. It’s a good hike for the guys that want to do a bunch of miles. Summer is coming, so let’s hike before it gets too hot. Newbies are welcome but YOU SHOULD BE AEROBICALLY FIT as the trails in Harriman are rocky and sometimes steep. I put a map in the photos section.
FOOD: Bring lunch and plenty of water, 2 LITERS at least.
GEAR: Sturdy hiking shoes and a waterproof jacket are recommended. Wear long pants and use bug spray on your legs to prevent ticks.
TRAIN FROM NYC: Meet around 8:45am, near the NJTransit ticket booths which are near the 7th Ave and 32nd St entrance to the station. Buy round trip NJTransit train ticket to Suffern NY. We transfer trains in Secaucus.
Depart : Penn Station at 9:07 AM
Board : Train 7629 toward Rahway
Arrive : Secaucus Upper Level at 9:16 AMTransfer To: Secaucus Lower Level at 9:35 AM
Board : Train 1711 toward Suffern
Arrive : Suffern at 10:38 AMTRAIN FROM HOBOKEN: This is faster and easier for the Jersey guys.
Buy round trip NJTransit train ticket to Suffern NY.Depart : Hoboken Terminal at 9:24 AM
Board : Train 1711 toward Suffern
Arrive : Suffern at 10:38 AMReturn train departs Suffern at 2:07pm, 3:07pm, 4:07pm, 5:07pm
DRIVERS: This hike starts and ends in the same place. Meet us at Suffern train station at 10:38am. Sorry, I don’t know much about parking there, it’s been a long time since we did this trip. Here's a link to the parking info for Suffern. https://suffernny.gov/suffern-parking/ I’ll ask you to comment a few days before, so I know to look for you when we arrive.
ALLTRAILS: Here’s a link to the AllTrails map. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/suffern-to-pine-meadow-lake-69cb3ea AllTrails is a great app, really useful if you ever need to navigate on your own.
Can't wait to see you on the trails!
Bill Wilson - Sloatsburg Hike in HarrimanPennsylvania Station, New York, NY
Let's hike Harriman. We’ll hike approximately 9 miles up some wooded hills with open views at the top and along some streams. This is a nice part of the park and is less crowded than other hikes we do. We'll hike to Ramapo Torne and back to Sloatsburg. Newbies are welcome but YOU NEED TO BE AEROBICALLY FIT. The trails in Harriman are rocky and steep and it's a long day of hiking.
NYC GUYS TAKING THE TRAIN: Arrive at Penn Station around 8:45am. Meet near the NJTransit ticket booths, near the 7th Ave entrance to Penn Station. We're catching the 9:07 NJCL train #7629 toward Rahway. Get out at SECAUCUS then transfer downstairs to the 9:30 MNBNP #71 train toward Port Jervis. We'll get off in SLOATSBURG at 10:24am. Return trains are 4:25pm & 6:50pm.
IF YOU LIVE IN HOBOKEN or JERSEY: You can catch the 9:20am MNBNP train #71 toward Port Jervis get off in Sloatsburg. Those of us coming from Penn Station will board this train in Secaucus.
DRIVERS: Hike starts and ends in the same place. We'll meet you at Sloatsburg train station at 10:24am. There's parking lot near the station at 32 Mill St, Sloatsburg, New York. Parking is free on the weekends. Here's the Google pin for the lot https://goo.gl/maps/ngHcRz5ezaZoQpRV8
GEAR: Sturdy hiking boots/shoes are recommended. Bring a waterproof shell in case it rains. Bug spray and long pants if you want to keep bugs away.
FOOD: Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water. At least 2 liters of water, we’ll sweat a lot.
ALLTRAILS: Here's a link to the AllTrails map https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/sloatsburg-to-ramapo-torne-and-russiam-bear-d296c10?u=i&sh=y5kkrh It's a very useful hiking app I suggest you download it, will be a big help if you ever need to navigate on your own.
Can't wait to see you on the trails!
Bill Wilson
- Fire Island Campground WeekendFire Island Watch Hill, New York, NY
Join us for our annual Fire Island camping weekend at Watch Hill. It's is a beautiful campground on Fire Island about 1.5 hrs from NYC on the LIRR. We're camping very close to the beach and the area is surrounded by dunes and salt marshes. The nearby National Seashore is undeveloped and beautiful. This is a trip for everybody, all fitness levels are welcome. It's a short walk on a boardwalk from the ferry dock. You can lounge on the beach, swim, take long walks on an empty beach or even visit the Pines, Cherry Grove or Davis Park. Kayaking/canoeing in the Great South Bay and fishing are also options.
I'm asking for the $30 camping fee before you are moved off the waitlist. You can Venmo me at @Bill-Wilson-92. After you pay, I will manually move you from Waitlist to the Going. This is the only cost for the event. You can't find a cheaper weekend on Fire Island!
I think most guys will arrive Friday and leave Sunday, but that's not required. I booked the site until Tuesday morning. If anybody wants to stay a day longer or leave earlier that's ok.
The following gear is required: a tent, camping mattress, and bug spray. There can be a lot of mosquitoes!
There's a marina, restaurant and bar nearby. The campground facilities include running water, grills, picnic tables, showers and bathrooms.
I suggest bringing your own food in a cooler, as the restaurant can be expensive. We can grill on charcoal. Anybody who has a camp stove should bring it. I'll provide a more detailed gear list later.
GUYS TAKING THE TRAIN: You need to take the LIRR to Patchogue and walk a short distance to the ferry terminal. https://goo.gl/maps/g9W2Y8NCYbS2 Make sure you get the ferry to Watch Hill. We don't need to depart at the same time. Come whenever your schedule allows.
GUYS DRIVING: There is free parking at the ferry terminal. Here a link https://goo.gl/maps/g9W2Y8NCYbS2
Contact me if you have any questions. This is going to be a great trip!
Bill Wilson