NYC Hiking And Nature Meetup

Contact Andre with any questions about this meetup.

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Route Info:

• Route: Gaia GPS Link (Works best on desktops). 7 Miles, 2k elevation gain. We should finish by 2 or 3 pm.
• Navigation and Route Finding: Blazed trails
• Terrain Type: Hiking trails that may be rough and steep (Class 2)
• Commitment Level: Shorter routes and bailout points are available
• Cell Phone Coverage: Limited
• Water Sources: Limited or poor quality (and requires treatment)

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Logistics:

• Public Transit: None
• Car Pooling: If you are driving from the city, please offer rides. Passengers should chip in for gas and tolls (usually about $15).
• Meeting Location: Ramapo-Dunderberg trailhead parking, Tomkins Cove, NY 10986

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Standard day-hiking gear:

• Hiking footwear (boots or trail shoes), non-cotton clothing, sunscreen, bug spray, sunhat, sunglasses. (I highly recommended treating clothing with Permethrin insecticide for protection against ticks).
• Rain gear and an extra warm layer.
• 2 liters/ 2 quarts of water minimum, 3 liters are suggested for a hot day.
• Lunch, Snacks, and electrolytes for hot days
• GPS app with offline maps: Avenza Maps App is free and there is a free Harriman map in the in-app store. I recommend CalTopo ($20/yr) which is an excellent general purpose GPS program. (AllTrails is fine for specific hikes, but not really a general purpose GPS.)
• Map & Compass: NYNJTC Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails or National Geographic Harriman, both available locally at REI

GaiaGPS Track - Works best on desktops. 7 Miles, 2k elevation gain.

Public Transit: Take the 9:14 am NJ transit train from Penn Station to Tuxedo Station, arriving at 10:29 am. The station is just around the corner from the parking lot we are meeting at. Return on the 4:20 train (or 6:44 pm train just in case).

Contact Andre with any questions about this meetup.

Event guidelines:

• This is a social event for hikers, not a guided hike. We do try to stay together as a group, but everyone should be prepared to hike alone with a map or offline-GPS app just in case.
• This is generally suitable for fit beginners: Trails are well marked (for trails), and there are shorter trails back for those who cannot complete the entire loop. Although this is a relatively easy hike, it is still a hike, and participants should expect a day of sustained physical activity.

***
Route Info:

• Navigation and Route Finding: Blazed trails
• Terrain Type: Hiking trails that may be rough and steep (Class 2)
• Commitment Level: Shorter routes and bailout points are available
• Cell Phone Coverage: Limited
• Water Sources: Frequent but requires treatment

***
Logistics:

• Meeting Location: Meet at the Tuxedo commuter parking lot off East Village Road (Google Maps). (Use the address 2 Powerhouse Ln, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987.)
• Public Transit: Take the 9:14 am NJ transit train from Penn Station to Tuxedo Station, arriving at 10:29 am. The station is just around the corner from the parking lot we are meeting at. Return on the 4:20 train (or 6:44 pm train just in case).
• Car Pooling: Please use the comment section to organize carpooling, especially if you are driving from the city. Passengers should chip in for gas and tolls (usually about $15).

***

***
Standard day-hiking gear:

• Hiking footwear (boots or trail shoes), non-cotton clothing, sunscreen, bug spray, sunhat, sunglasses. (I highly recommended treating clothing with Permethrin insecticide for protection against ticks).
• Rain gear and an extra warm layer.
• 2 liters/ 2 quarts of water minimum, 3 liters are suggested for a hot day.
• Lunch, Snacks, and electrolytes for hot days
• GPS app with offline maps: Avenza Maps App is free and there is a free Harriman map in the in-app store. CalTopo ($20/yr) is an excellent general purpose GPS program. (AllTrails is fine for ideas, but is not really a general purpose GPS.)
• Map & Compass: NYNJTC Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails or National Geographic Harriman, both available locally at REI

***

General FAQ:

• No dogs allowed, sorry
• No guests beyond the RSVP guest limit and no one under 18 allowed
• Hikes are generally rescheduled for thunderstorms, extreme heat, or poor air quality

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Fall in the Adirondacks is always spectacular! Come join us for a weekend of camping and hiking at the Harris Lake Campground (car camping, showers, toilets, BBQs, picnic tables, and canoe rentals) in the southern Adirondacks, which has better foliage and far fewer crowds than the high peaks.

Hikes in the area are typically 5 miles and up, suitable for intermediate and advanced hikers. See Andre's AllTrails list of nearby hikes. There are several great lookout towers in the area that provide 360 views and the high peaks are always an option. I've found doing a couple of short hikes in different areas maximizes the foliage viewing.

Contact Andre with any questions about this meetup.

A couple of important notes:

1. Hikes are member-organized. Everyone is expected to be able to read a map, follow a trail, and choose hike within their fitness and ability. Depending on the attendees, we might split into two or more hikes. Do not count on someone more experienced or skilled than yourself to lead you.
2. I'll start collecting $25/pp for the campsites in September. (You don't have a spot at the campsite until you've paid for it and confirmed with Andre.)

Logistics:

• Camping Location: Car-camping at the Harris Lake Campground with showers, toilets, BBQs, picnic tables, and canoe rentals. Max two tents and two cars per campsite.
• Food: BYO food and snacks. There is very little near by so plan on bringing your food for the weekend. Mountain House dehydrated meals are a fine option.
• Cost: $25 per person for two nights of camping, paid to Andre
• Car & Tent Pooling: I'll post a WhatApp link and Gsheet for assigned camp sites in September.
• General Rules: We are a no alcohol group. No RVs, generators, camper vans, etc. No dogs allowed.

Schedule:

• Friday: Leave as early in the afternoon as you can. It is 5-6 hours to the campground from NYC. Please try to arrive by 10 pm out of courtesy to other campers.
• Saturday: We'll rise early for our various hikes, BYO dinner at the campsite around a camp fire.
• Sunday: Generally a short hike before hitting the road in the afternoon.

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Camping Gear:

• Tent, or space in someone's tent
• Sleeping pad and sleeping bag suitable for the low 30s at night
• Stove, pots, and pan (check about sharing)
• Personal plate/spoon/cup, etc; toiletries; towel and flip-flops for the shower; swimsuit (for the brave)

Hiking Gear:

• Standard day hiking gear: Waterproof boots suggested (trail shoes are not recommended in the ADKs), non-cotton clothing, sunscreen, bug spray, sunhat, sunglasses, rain gear, hiking poles, snacks, etc.
• Winter hat, gloves, and jacket, plus insulting layers to account for unpredictable fall mountain weather. If you plan on hiking one of the high peaks, bring microspikes and full winter gear - Early October is usually the first real snow of the season.
• Maps of the region: National Geographic Adirondack High Peaks & National Geographic Northville, Raquette Lake
• GPS app with offline maps: There are no free apps with offline maps. Avenza Maps App is free and many area maps in Avenza's in-app map store are also free, but area maps are usually a <$10 one-time purchase; I recommend CalTopo ($20/yr) which is an excellent general purpose GPS program. (AllTrails $36/yr is fine for specific hikes, but not really a general purpose GPS.)

Weather: Average hi/low: 70s/40s, might be in the 30s. The weather above the tree line is always worse, so bring a good shell and a warm extra layer. Mountain weather is often unpredictable, so plan accordingly.

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• Sections of the Catamount Ski Trail, which runs the length of Vermont.
• The Adirondack's Jack Rabbit Ski Trail and Avalanche Pass.
• New Hampshire with the AMC for various outings.

Contact Andre with any questions.

Required Gear & Skills:

• Solid intermediate skiing skills: These routes range from "easy and mostly flat" to "long, isolated, and very steep routes suitable for advanced, properly equipped skiers only." Even an easy backcountry trail is still a backcountry trail - ungroomed (or even unbroken) with unbridged steam crossings, blow-downs, and other backcountry hazards, plus there's always some steep and narrow bits.
• Backcountry cross-country gear: BC XC with metal edges are required, with a backcountry boot and backcountry binding. (For example: Fischer Traverse 78 Crown). Skins are highly recommended.
• Your Share of Group Emergency Gear: As group, we will typically carry at minimum: 1+ sleep pads, 1+ sleeping bags, shelter for one person, tarp, stove & pot, saw, and fire starter. Plus person first aid and repair kits. Emergencies do happen and help is still many hours away even with a SOS beacon. (You do not need to have all of this yourself, but expect to carry your share.)
• Layered winter clothing suitable for temps in the teens: Wicking base-layer top and bottom; insulating top layer (usually fleece); windbreaker/ softshell jacket; insulated water-resistant pants; waterproof shell pants and jacket; big puffy jacket; warm and water resistant gloves and mittens (two pair); face protection; winter hat; headlamp; gaiters; chemical hand and foot warmers.

If the above sounds intimidating, AMC's Winter School offers a weekend-long Nordic-to-Backcountry course, which makes for a great introduction to Backcountry XC. There is usually one in late January and one in February. (Details TBD in the fall.) There might also be an option to join the group on an easier day (especially if you are driving).

What a Trip Generally Looks Like:

• Leave on Fridays as early as possible, skiing Saturday and Sunday before returning to the city Sunday night (or Monday for a long weekend).
• Lodging is generally hotels, sometimes a house if there is a good deal at the last minute but winter weather is generally too unpredictable to book anything without a great cancelation policy.
• Attendees are responsible for their costs.