Castle Rock at Hudson Highlands

Please sign up at AMC's website at https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001YRI92AO/act00015423 You do not need to be an AMC member to join this outing.

Friday, Aug 22, 9:30 AM
Castle Rock Park, 31 Wing and Wing Rd, Garrison, NY 10524 GPS: 41.37157,-73.94473
Moderate
7 miles, with 6 mile early out option (details below)

Details:
One of the easier routes in the Hudson Highlands State Park, but by no means an easy outing. Pace will be moderate, and terrain will also be moderate with the exception of the optional Sugarloaf Mountain out-and-back, which carries a vigorous rating.

We'll start with the Sugarloaf trail (red), but where it turns uphill to Sugarloaf Mountain we'll continue onto the Osborne trail (blue) and hike south and east to its southern terminus at the AT (white). There, we'll turn left and follow the AT north till it again meets the Osborne trail, this time at the Osborne's northern trailhead; returning to the Osborne, we'll continue till it intersects with the Sugarloaf trail. Here, those wishing to skip Sugarloaf Mountain can continue straight onto Sugarloaf trail back to our starting point*; otherwise, climbing Sugarloaf Mtn takes about 15 minutes (each way, out & back), including some steep parts. The summit of Sugarloaf Mtn offers panoramic views of the Hudson River, West Point and, on exceptionally clear days, the Shawangunks.

Weather: The current forecast for Friday is less humid and less hot than last week -- good hiking weather! Nonetheless, please bring at least two liters of water or electrolyte drink.

Public Transportation: MetroNorth Hudson Line train (destination Poughkeepsie) leaves Grand Central at 7:19 and arrives at Garrison at 8:36; from the station it is a 30 minute walk on trails and backroads to our starting point: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Garrison,+Philipstown,+NY+10524/31+Wing+and+Wing,+Garrison,+NY+10524/@41.374778,-73.9509316,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c2cc862f065835:0xc7463041cef2e9ad!2m2!1d-73.9475831!2d41.3806279!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c2cc7b03e3f1fb:0x435fed23196051c7!2m2!1d-73.9459015!2d41.3716408!3e2?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Please note that the next train (7:39) does not arrive at Garrison till 8:58, too late to reliably accommodate walking to the trailhead; there is no regular taxi service at Garrison station, and Uber/Lyft service in this area can be spotty.

If you do take MetroNorth, a one-way ticket is a good bet as one of our Westchester-based participants may be able to drop you at a train station closer to the city. Also, please notify the hike leader in advance if you plan to arrive by train.

RSVP only for "yes," by 6 pm Thursday at https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001YRI92AO/act00015423. A pre-hike update will be emailed to all signed-up participants at that time.The fine print:

Announcement photo courtesy Harry Shuldman. Please note that the Castle Rock building is private property and trespassing is not permitted. We will, however, see a majestic view of it from our starting point.

AMC Health Advisory: Covid and other respiratory illnesses are circulating in our communities. Do not participate in this hike if you, or someone who you have recently been in contact with, is either infected or symptomatic.