Thursday at Ward Pound Ridge (4.2 or 8 Miles)

Join us on Thursday for your choice of either a short or full length hike along some of the park's iconic trails. This two-loop itinerary brings us back to our starting point after an easy to low-moderate 4.2 miles, with the option to continue with the hike leader (as many participants likely will) for a moderate, sometimes moderate plus, additional 3.8 miles.

Please register at AMC's site to make sure you receive updates and don't need to sign-in on Thursday morning: https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001tuyf/act00017125 This Meetup page is for information only, not for registration.

Overview:

• 9:30 am, Thursday, November 6
• Kimberly Bridge Parking & Picnic Area, Ward Pound Ridge
• 4.2 miles (easy to low-moderate) or 8 miles (moderate)
• No bushwacking or stream crossings; the Blue Trail (moderate) starts with an uphill climb and also includes a downhill rock scramble

Details:

Our Thursday hike takes us to the eastern and northern parts of Westchester's largest park, on trails that we last hiked back in April..

We'll start with the Brown Trail, whose 3.7 miles are among the easiest of the 35 miles of trails in the park, and where we'll hike clockwise. We'll follow the Cross River for the first mile before turning north and then east, then briefly picking up the Deer Hollow Trail and soon thereafter returning to the Brown Trail These trails are mostly flat, although there is a long-but-gentle ascent between park junctions 5 and 6 and a couple of shorter ascents near the end. While sneaker-clad families often populate the Brown Trail on weekends, parts of it are rocky; boots and poles are strongly recommended, even for those planning to skip the Blue Trail.

After finishing the Brown Trail, we'll pass through our parking area, the end point for those doing the 4.2 mile outing; continuing hikers will pick up the 3.8 mile Blue Trail. On the Blue Trail, we'll hike counter-clockwise towards Gilmore Pond, about an hour away. The route starts with a steady 15 minute ascent, then levels off and includes a rocky descent, of a type familiar to anyone who has hiked in Harriman. Soon thereafter, we'll briefly skirt Gilmore Pond, which unfortunately is private property and guarded with "No Trespassing" signs and allegedly by giant snapping turtles, and then follow the trail back north, returning us to our cars.

Lunch: Hikers doing the Brown Trail only can expect to be done around 11:45, so will not need to bring lunch. However, hikers continuing on the Blue Trail will stop for lunch at the picnic tables near the parking lot, and 4.2 mile hikers are welcome to join us. And for everyone, water is a must.

Dogs: Ward Pound Ridge is a dog-friendly park, and as we've done on previous Ward Pound Ridge hikes, we'll open this one to well behaved dogs. If you would like to bring a dog, please notify the hike leader when you RSVP.

Public Transportation: the nearest MetroNorth station is Katonah on the Harlem line, about 7 miles/15 minutes away. There is a departure from Grand Central at 7:53 and Harlem-125th St at 8:03, arriving at Katonah at 9:05. It may be possible to arrange a pick-up from a local hiker, or a shared taxi with others. Please private message hike leader well in advance if interested.

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

RSVP only for "Yes," by Wednesday 6 pm, by registering at https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001tuyf/act00017125 A pre-hike update will be sent to all signed-up participants shortly after 6 o'clock.