GWB South Walk Inaugural - Washington Heights to Englewood Cliffs (Moderate)
Details
YOU MUST REGISTER VIA THIS LINK
Join us for a fall color and raptor migration hike across the George Washington Bridge and through nearby Palisades Interstate Park (PIP) via the newly-reopened, pedestrian-only George Washington Bridge South Walk. That's right, all those whizzing bikes and eBikes we're accustomed to dodging on GWB hikes are now restricted to the North Walk ('though that doesn't mean there are zero transgressors).
Distance, Elevation Gain, and Difficulty: We'll cover 9 mi. with a 425 ft. elevation gain, making this an easy Moderate. Options: 5.5 miles, 400 ft. elevation gain using an early out, or 6 miles, 375 ft. elevation gain if you start and end on the NJ side of the bridge - both options are rated Easy.
The route includes a loop and a couple of out-and-backs (a lollipop with multiple sticks): The first stick is the GWB South Walk. We'll then start a loop that runs around the south end of the park, descends to the Shore Trail, crosses below the bridge, and climbs up to the top of the Palisades via Carpenter's Trail (the only significant climb of the day). Without fully closing the loop we'll head northbound on the second stick via the nearly level Long Path. Following lunch at Allison Park we'll proceed another 3/4 mile northbound to Palisades Ave in Englewood Cliffs, our early-out point. We'll then double-back southbound on Long Path, eventually closing the loop when we reach the South Walk entrance on the Jersey side. Then back over the bridge we go!
Meeting place, transportation, what to bring, and registration via this link: https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX000001Lxm5/act00024544
Note: If you click "Attend" you will be told that this event is waitlisted. Ignore that - use the registration link above and you'll be able to sign up anyway!