Labor Day 8:45 am, Ward Pound Ridge, 7 miles

*** This meetup announcement is informational only. To register, please click on this link, which will take you to the AMC website: https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001bMVd2AM/act00015622
This hike is open to all, and there is no fee to register or participate. ***

This 7 mile hike moderate-paced hike begins with the one of the park's oldest trails, the Red Trail, which we'll follow clockwise for almost two hours through dense woodlands and canopy.

At park junction 30, an early out option will be available via 30 minutes on the Red and Green trails; hikers choosing this option will be on their own and should have a park map if unfamiliar with the area. Continuing on our planned route, we'll briefly follow an unnamed white-blazed (secondary) trail to the Leatherman's Loop Trail. Leatherman's Loop includes multiple ups-and-downs, as well as a vigorous 10 minute steady climb to Overlook, with great views of the Cross River Reservoir, and where we'll stop briefly for either an early lunch or a snack. Leatherman's Loop also includes an optional 4 minute steep climb to the Leatherman's Cave; those not wishing to see the cave can wait at the trail, as we'll return there a few minutes later.

After Leatherman's Cave and Overlook, at park junction 27, we'll bear left and follow another white-blazed trail north and east to park junction 54, where we'll turn left onto the Red and Green trails for a final few minutes walk back to our starting point. A shorter option is also available at park junction 27, staying on Leatherman's Loop until park junction 31, and then turn left onto the Red and Green trails. The longer and shorter options are, respectively, about 40 and 20 minutes.

Please keep in mind that if you choose any of the early outs, the AMC considers you to have voluntarily left the hike.

RSVP for "yes" only by 6 pm, Sunday, August 31, at https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001bMVd2AM/act00015622
A pre-hike update, including directions to the trailhead, will be sent to signed-up participants at that time.

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.