Giant Stairs Hike/Palisades Park (4.5 mi) & Craft Beer Festival in NYC!

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/0/f/600_19922063.jpegThe Giant Stairs is a unique hiking experience in the Palisades Interstate Park, the natural area just North of the George Washington Bridge. The Giant Stairs route is considered the "hike of hikes" in the Palisades.

This scenic 4.5 mile loop hike descends the Palisades cliffs, follows a challenging, rocky path along the Hudson River, passing a scenic waterfall, and climbs to reach a panoramic viewpoint of the Hudson River, Yonkers and the Bronx. http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/e/e/2/600_74432482.jpegThis hike is considered intermediate due to the scrambles and rocky terrain however beginners looking for a challenge are welcome; no novices please. Beginners who attend must be familiar with and be wearing proper footwear. Sneakers are prohibited. Keep in mind the hike is only 4.5 miles, which is manageable for intermediate or advanced beginner hikers.

As with all of our day hikes, our goal will be to keep the pace moderate - we'll be stopping for quick breaks to drink water, take in the views and a 1/2 hour lunch break.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/e/1/2/600_206064082.jpegAfterwards we'll be going to a rooftop craft beer festival (http://www.giltcity.com/newyork/craftbeerdl?affid=350&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=CJ&utm_campaign=GC%3AAffiliate&pkey=cj&utm_content=5717875&PID=5717875&AID=10931325) being held at The Delancey & Ludlow (http://www.thedl-nyc.com/) located in the lower east side. This is one time engagement and you $25 ticket gives you 4 10 oz. samples of the craft beer vendor stations and 1 small appetizer. This is a steal among NYC craft beer fests (typically $75). Buy your ticket online (http://www.giltcity.com/newyork/craftbeerdl?affid=350&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=CJ&utm_campaign=GC%3AAffiliate&pkey=cj&utm_content=5717875&PID=5717875&AID=10931325) today; retail price is $35. Address: 95 Delancey Street New York, NY 10002.

Miles:

~4.5 miles
Difficulty:

Beginner/Intermediate Weather:

We will check weather forecasts up until the morning of the hike; if rain or thundershowers the event will be cancelled and rescheduled. How to Get There:

By Car
Take the Palisades Interstate Park north from the George Washington Bridge. Continue for 1.7 miles beyond Exit 2, and turn right at a sign for the State Line Lookout. Follow the access road for about half a mile until it ends at a large parking lot near the lookout. (If you are coming from the north on the Parkway, bear left just beyond Exit 3 and follow the signs for the lookout).

By Bus
Rockland Coach’s Number 9 bus (http://www.coachusa.com/CoachUsaAssets/files/97/route09.pdf), which departs from the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 8:15am, stops at Bridge Plaza in Fort Lee, then travels up U.S. Route 9W to the state line lookout and onto Rockland County. Get off at the state line lookout @ approx 9am (ask/tell the driver to announce the exact stop when you board the bus), which is also the entrance to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. From here, follow the old concrete highway east for 1.5 mile and you will arrive at Lookout Inn and “Point Lookout,” the highest point on the Palisades Cliffs in New Jersey with panoramic views. We will all meet betw. 9:15-9:30a in front of the Lookout Inn at the refreshment stand.

Gear:

Check out our day hiking recommendations (https://www.meetup.com/NYC-Backwoods-Adventurers/pages/Proper_Gear%3A_Day_Hikes) page.

Polyester/synthetic hiking clothing - layers are recommended Hiking Boots 2 1L bottles of water or camel back Insect repellant/sunscreen Hiking Poles (optional) Trail map: Hudson Palisades Trails Map (http://www.nynjtc.org/product/hudson-palisades-trails) (optional) Transportation:

We will either take the bus or carpool and passengers pick up the tabs on gas/tolls. Please post if you need a ride or can give a ride. Drivers please post on your RSVP- state from where and how many passengers you can accommodate.

Disclaimer:

You agree when you sign up that you are responsible for your own preparedness and well-being and will hold no one else liable in case of injury or mishap. You agree not to hold the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, or any other members responsible for any injuries, mishaps, or any other situation that may happen at a planned event. Your attendance to an event signifies that you have read and accept the terms of this liability waiver. The complete liability waiver can be found on the PAGES section of this meetup site.