What we’re about
This group is operated by Appalachian Mountain Club New York-North Jersey Chapter (7/1/22)
The New York-North Jersey Chapter of AMC was the first chapter formed by the club back in 1912. For over 100 years the NYNJ chapter has been protecting the precious natural resources of our region, providing skills and leadership training, and hosting 100's of outdoor activities every year for the public through our professional and dedicated volunteer trip leaders.
Beginner or expert the AMC NYNJ chapter has something for everyone. With activities that include hiking, biking, paddling, backpacking, skiing, climbing, and more we're sure you will find something you love. And since we know living in and around the NYC area can be difficult without a car, many of our activities are accessible through public transportation.
Beyond just the trips, training, and conservation advocacy we are a group that encourages community and camaraderie among it's members. Open and welcoming to anyone with an interest in the outdoors we hope that the shared knowledge and experiences between all of us will help you to grow within the outdoor community and create connections and friendships for a lifetime.
What sets us apart the other Meetup groups?
• Professionally trained volunteer leaders means our trips are well organized, safe AND fun!
• Easy access on public transportation to many of our activities.
• Activities are open to anyone, no membership dues are required, but your support helps.
• Your support helps us continue to protect more than 100,000 acres of land and 2,000 miles of trails under the care of the Appalachian Mountain Club.
• Beyond our volunteer led activities AMC provides opportunities for tens of thousands of youth to experience the outdoors each year through our Youth Opportunities Program.
While this Meetup Group showcases some of our best activities they don't all make it to this page and often you will only see a small fraction of what is available! If you would like to see the full assortment of upcoming activities offered by the NYNJ chapter please click here.
Also, if you would like to be part of the community and join in the conversation please consider following us on Instagram and Facebook:
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Trail Maintenance Weekend at Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor CenterAMC Harriman Outdoor Center, Haverstraw, NY
# To register, click here: Trail Maintenance Weekend at Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trail-maintenance-weekend-at-corman-amc-harriman-outdoor-center-tickets-1350650876129?aff=oddtdtcreator]
Registration:
- Advance registration is mandatory, and space is limited. Your registration is not complete until full payment is received on Eventbrite. All paid registered participants will receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite.
### Date and time: September 19 · 3pm - September 21 · 11am EDT
### The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center:
200 Breakneck Road, Haverstraw, NY 10927
Click here: Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center to check out this location and how to prepare for your trip.Trail Maintenance Weekend at the Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center
Join a spirited group of volunteers for a weekend of light trail maintenance, teamwork, and connection at the beautiful Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center. This hands-on event is a great way to contribute to the upkeep of Harriman State Park’s beloved trail system while enjoying a fun and rewarding weekend outdoors.
Whether you're new to trail work or already handy with a rake and loppers, this weekend is open to all skill levels. We’ll provide guidance, tools, and good company. Plus, there will be plenty of time to unwind at the lake, swap stories around the fire, and enjoy delicious meals we’ll prepare together.
### Event Highlights
Trail Work Session: Saturday Morning - 10:00 AM meet at the tool shed
We’ll begin with a short training session on the basics of trail maintenance—no prior experience necessary!Then, we’ll divide into teams and head out to work on designated trail sections nearby.
Projects include: clearing brush, cleaning water bars, reblazing, and removing small obstructions.
We’ll wrap up by mid-afternoon and return to camp with plenty of time to swim, paddle, or just relax.
No tools? No problem.
We’ll provide gloves, eye protection, and tools. Just bring your sturdy boots, sun hat, insect repellent, water, snacks/lunch, and a sense of adventure.
All participants must sign the NYNJTC online waiver in addition to Eventbrite registrationUpdated Meals:
- Included: Saturday dinner, Saturday breakfast, and Sunday breakfast. These delicious meals will be served in the dining hall.
- Optional Add-On: Friday dinner (available during registration)
- Pack lunches available for purchase at the camp office (order in advance recommended)
Meals purchased on arrival may be subject to a 20% surcharge or limited availability.
Free Time: After Saturday’s work, enjoy optional swimming, paddling, or lounging at Breakneck Pond.
Campfire & Connection: Celebrate your efforts with a classic evening fire—bring your favorite snacks and beverages to share.
This event is led by the chapter's Harriman Program Committee volunteer leaders. Paddling and yoga equipment is available at the camp free of charge and courtesy of the NY-North Jersey AMC chapter. The camp is accessible by public transportation.
Accommodation:
- Lakeside Beaver Brook Shelters: Stay in cozy shelters by the lake, each accommodating three two-person backpacking-style tents. Shelters will be shared, bring only 1 to 2 person tents. Maximum of 6 persons per platform. Each space can be shared with 6 persons. If you need to borrow a small tent, please see details below.
- Modern Amenities: Enjoy the convenience of modern bathhouses with hot showers and flush toilets nearby. Shared picnic tables, bear boxes, and fire rings are available.
- Check-in: Friday at 3:00 PM (arrive by 6:00 PM if purchasing Friday dinner)
- Check-Out: Sunday at 11:00 AM (guests may stay and enjoy the camp until 3:00 PM)
Weekend Cost
- Shelter Site: $100 for AMC Members / $140 for Non-Members
🔹 Weekend cost includes 2 nights accommodations, Saturday dinner, 2 breakfasts (Saturday & Sunday), and program leadership provided by volunteer leaders.
- Saturday Day Use Only (no meals or overnight accommodations): $25 for AMC Members / $65 for Non-Members
🔹 Eventbrite and credit card processing fees apply to non-members.
🔹 Become an AMC member to receive discounted rates and other benefits!###
### Meals
Included with Weekend Registration:
- Saturday dinner, Saturday breakfast, and Sunday breakfast. These delicious meals will be served in the dining hall.
Optional Add-On:
- Friday Dinner in the Dining Hall (select during registration)
Pack lunches are available for purchase at the camp office—pre-order is recommended.
Meals purchased on arrival may be subject to a 20% surcharge or limited availability.Additional Information:
- Adults-Only Event: This retreat is designed for adults to unwind and connect with nature.
- Camping Equipment: Borrow camping gear for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 617-523-0636x56523
- Paddling & Yoga Equipment: Available at the camp free of charge, courtesy of the NY-North Jersey AMC chapter.
- Bear Box: A secure bear box for overnight food storage is available and required.
Transportation
- Driving? The camp is about a 45-minute drive from NYC. GPS Coordinates: 41.217869, -74.106021. Download and print our detailed instructions to Harriman Outdoor Center.
- Taking the train? Shuttle service is offered between Harriman Outdoor Center and Sloatsburg Station. View shuttle details and schedule.
- Drive up to the camp office to check-in and unload before parking in the big designated parking field you passed on your way in. Parking anywhere else is prohibited.
What to Bring:
- Essentials: all you need to camp for the weekend, including sheets and pillowcases or sleeping bags, tents, towels, yoga/hiking/swimming/paddling gear, sunscreen, bug spray, headlamps, hats, water bottles, and personal toiletries.
- Camping Gear: When camping, bring your tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. Sheets and towels may be rented from the camp. Bring only 1 to 2 person tents.
- BYOB: Bring your own adult beverages and snacks to share.
Cancellation Policy:
- Cancellations more than 7 days before the event: full refund minus a $25 processing fee.
- Cancellations 7 days or fewer before the event: No refund.
- If AMC must cancel the event (uncommon), full refunds will be issued, and you will receive email notification.
- Normal weather will not cancel this event.
Join us for a weekend of adventure, relaxation, and connection with nature. Register now and secure your spot for an unforgettable experience!
### For more information about this location and how to prepare for this trip, see this site: Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center
Open in Google Maps
Difficulty Rating
3 - Easy
Difficulty Rating Definition
Reasonable fitness for the expected activity is needed, but the trip is designed for those new to the activity. Expect to be active up to 4 hours/day. A bit more active time than the relaxed rating, but with generous breaks.
Offered By
AMC New York-North Jersey Chapter - Storm King State Park (Vigorous)Manitou Metro Station (Correct), Philipstown, NY
The hike is listed here on the Appalachian Mountain Club's Putdoors Connector: https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001gPFx2AM/act00015983
We will hike on the southern summit of Storm King, followed by the northern summit. It will be 7 miles on all but with 2300 feet of elevation gain, hence the Vigoirous rating. We will visit several of the locations in the park with spectacular views of the river and the surrounding Hudson Highlands.
To make the hike accessible by public transport, we will meet at the Metro North Manitou Station at 8.55. See transportation code 5b (train departs Grand Central Terminal at 7.55 a.m.) We will then all carpool to the start of the hike. To share the costs of the carpool, I recommend that train riders pay the car's driver the $1.65 cost of a Bear Mountain Bridge toll. (The driver will end up being charged that on the return crossing). The train timetable is at https://www.mta.info/schedules/metro-north/hudson . Email the leader at hikerdavid@verizon.net if you have questions about the hike. - ROCKEFELLER PRESERVE WALK (Strenuous)Metro North Station - Tarrytown, Tarrytown, NY
A 13-mile, moderate-paced walk through Rockefeller State Park Preserve, beginning and ending at the Tarrytown train station. The walk is rated as strenuous.
All walkers must complete a waiver with their name and with the name and phone number of an emergency contact. This can be done on paper at the beginning of the walk - but the easier way for you and for me and for AMC is to do it online at the AMC website at AMC walk.
Take the 9:23 am Metro North Hudson Line train from Grand Central to Tarrytown arriving Tarrytown 10:16 am. Meet on the river side of the Tarrytown train station by the tennis courts. I will be wearing an orange cap.
Rockefeller State Park Preserve includes 1700 acres donated to the state by the Rockefellers with 45 miles of carriage paths. We must stay on the carriage paths and give the right of way to any horses or carriages that come along. The farming activities in and around the preserve have been cut back in recent years, but we have seen goats, cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens that are being raised for the Stone Barns and we will walk through the Stone Barns garden.
From the train station we walk north on the Riverwalk along the Hudson River to Kingsland Park, then east on steep streets to Gory Brook Road, then counterclockwise through Rockefeller Preserve, including steep Cedar Hill, Stone Barns, the visitor center and the Pocantico River trail to the Old Croton Aqueduct trail to Main Street in Tarrytown to the train station. I'm not sure what return train we will catch, there are three trains to Grand Central every hour, a crowded express train toward the top of the hour and less crowded local and semi-express trains later.
Elevation gain is about 1,000 feet, most of that is the the first half of the walk, some of the hills are long and steep. Sneakers are fine, but you might prefer something with a strong sole on some of the rockier trails, shorts are fine as the trails are wide so less danger of ticks but check for ticks just the same.
Bring water, snacks and lunch. We will stop for lunch at Stone Barns at 6 miles and a short break at the visitor center at 9 miles, water available at both stops. There are restrooms in Pierson Park near the train station, at Kingsland Park at 2 miles, at Stone Barns, and at the visitor center. The park is carry-in carry-out.
Maps of the walk:
Strava map
All Trails map
Google mapThere is a free pdf of the Rockefeller trails at Rockefeller trail map which is also available as a free download on the Avenza app.
The New York/New Jersey Trail Conference has a much better Rockefeller trail map as part of its 4-map Westchester bundle, you can buy paper copies for $11.95 from the trail conference web site or buy a $10.99 download on the Avenza app.
Leader: Tom Bergen 917-727-5507 tom.bergen@yahoo.com
Please note that Covid-19 has persisted in our region from its onset in 2020, with cases currently on the rise. In the interest of public health, do not join this hike if symptomatic of Covid-19 or infected with it.
AMC Trip Policy
