BLAZE >> Backpacking Gay Men of NYC

Let's squeeze in one more backpacking trip before winter sets in. Dust off your backpacks, take out your trekking poles, dig out that expensive lightweight tent, and - last but not least - your hiking boots to gear up for our annual autumn Catskills overnight BLAZE backpacking trip.

We'll hike about 24 miles in two days with a total elevation gain of about 5,000 feet. This hike is NOT suitable for beginners. It is a very difficult hike because of the mileage hiked, the elevation gain, and the fact that we'll be carrying heavy backpacks. The weather may be challenging, too. You have to be physically fit and have backpacked in the past. The number of participants is limited to 8 to comply with park regulations.

We should leave New York City on Saturday at 8 a.m. so that all of us can meet at Phoenicia Diner by 10:15 a.m, see the exact address above on this page. Drivers should take I-87 North to Exit 19, then Route NY-28 to Phoenicia (total distance 120 miles). From there we'll drive our cars to the park, rearrange them for a through (nearly a loop) hike, and start hiking. Saturday night we should spend on Terrace Mountain. On Sunday after the hike we'll stop for dinner in Phoenicia. We should be back to NYC around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Everyone needs to bring at minimum 1 gallon (3.7 liters) of water (there is no water at our campsite, but we'll have water the next morning after a steep 2-mile descent). You have to bring two lunches, one dinner, one breakfasts and snacks/energy bars for the hike.

As for gear, everyone has to have good boots and layers of clothes (preferably non-cotton). Be prepared for rain and cold. (One year we had snow.) A sleeping bag and a sleeping mat are a must. Tents and stoves can be shared.

Don't forget to bring cash - we'll share the cost of carpool, gas, tolls, and you'll need to pay cash for dinner on Sunday.

Lastly, participants are responsible for their own health and safety. BLAZE NYC is not liable for any personal injuries or accidents that happen during the hike. Also, be respectful to one another's preferences, points of view, beliefs and boundaries.

In this 10-12 mile urban hike, we'll meet at the Brooklyn Promenade at the end of Remsen Street and walk north through Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo and Vinegar Hill, and Brooklyn Bridge Park.

From there, we will head inland through Cobble Hill / Carroll Gardens (maybe tour some of Red Hook), the Gowanus Canal, Park Slope, and Prospect Park, where we will stop for lunch.

After hiking the long meadow, wooded paths and Quaker Hill in the park, we'll head over to Greenwood Cemetery and end our hike with a climb up to the highest point in Brooklyn - Battle Hill.

Please wear weather appropriate clothes, hiking boots or sneakers, and bring a small pack for water, snacks and lunch. We'll pass several places where you can buy drinks, food, and there are toilets along some of the way.

We will not be posting a sign-up sheet. Whoever shows up, shows up. And you're welcome to leave the hike at any point. If you're running a bit late, send either of us a message on Meetup, as we will be leaving shortly after 8:30 am.

The nearest subway stops are at Clark Street, Court Street and Borough Hall. For those of you who plan to drive in, you might find street parking in Brooklyn Heights, and there's a public parking garage on State Street (near the corner of Hicks Street), four blocks from the promenade.

After the hike, we can go for drinks and food (e.g., Xstasy Night Club or Sea Witch in Sunset Park). Should be fun and we can’t wait to see you all there!

-Nick and Bob