NYC Hiking And Nature Meetup

Hi Hikers,
Come join me for a loop covering West Mountain to Bear Mountain. This is a great hike with views of the Hudson and the surrounding highlands. GaiaGPS Link.

Contact Andre with any questions about this event.

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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. This is still a hike, and participants should expect a day of sustained physical activity.

Route Info & Skill Level

• Distance: 8- 10 miles, depending on route
• Elevation: Approximately 2k'
• Pace: Moving pace of 1.5 to 2 MPH
• 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 (requires treatment)

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• Meeting Time: 9am
• Meeting Location: Meet at the northeast corner of the Anthony Wayne parking lot (Google maps). Note that cell phone reception is very poor in that area.
• Public Transit: None
• Driving Directions: Park at the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area
• Car Pooling: Please use the comment section to organize riders if you are driving from the city. Passengers should chip in for gas and tolls (usually about $10).

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Gear:

• Standard day-hiking gear: Hiking footwear, non-cotton clothing, sunscreen, bug spray, sunhat, sunglasses, rain gear, and an extra warm layer (always come prepared for a change in weather)
• I highly recommended treating clothing with Permethrin insecticide for protection against ticks
• 2 liters/ 2 quarts of water minimum, 3 liters are suggested for a hot day
• Lunch and Snacks
• 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. Mapy App has basic offline trail maps that are adequate. (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, heat index >95f, or AQI >80

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To get a spot, add yourself to the waiting list and message Andre that you will be attending this event - include the event name, what you have for a map, and how much water you are bringing. You’ll be counted as a no-show if you don’t attend. You will be removed from the group if you don't attend without updating your RSVP, or after two no-shows.

Why am I requiring that extra step? I limit events to around 15 attendees, which is about the maximum manageable group size. Unfortunately that means events fill up the day they are posted with people who are just holding a spot themselves, not people who intend to come. Then, as people drop-off, the meetup platform automatically fills spots from the waitlist with people who might not want to come anymore or even saw that they were given a spot. The net result is a lot of no-shows, a waitlist of people that have made other plans, and no way for those who actually want a spot to get one.

This is a bit more work for everyone, but hopefully leads to better events for everyone as well.

We have $60 off coupon (BACKPACKER) which will make it $99 (+ bikereg.com service fee).
It is a fully supported ride with breakfast, food stops along the route and then end of ride lunch.
Event description taken from official site.
Every year New York cycling club organizes their signature annual "Escape New York" bike where. There are multiple options available--25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 miles. The routes are clearly marked. The day starts with carb filled breakfast.
Along the route there food filled rests stops as well as mechanical support for those who need it. Also along the route there are marshals who can help with minor mechanical issues, like changing a flat.
All routes go through George Washington Bridge into Bergen and Rockland counties.
After we're done with the bike ride and back to Sakura park, we'll hang out at the park. There will be plenty of food and live music. I've participated in this event many times and every year it's been a great success.
• What to bring
Bring your bike and your friends (with bikes) and don't forget to register on the event's website.
https://www.enynycc.org/ .

GaiaGPS Track - link works best on a desktop.

Contact Andre with any questions about this event.
*****
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. This is still a hike, and participants should expect a day of sustained physical activity.

Route Info & Skill Level

• Distance: 8-10 miles, depending on route
• Elevation: Approximately 2.2k'
• Pace: Moving pace of 2 mph
• Navigation and Route Finding: Blazed trails
• Terrain Type: Hiking trails that may be rough and steep (Class 2); short class 3 scrambles (requiring the use of hands on steep, rugged, and potentially exposed routes).
• Commitment Level: Shorter routes and bailout points are available
• Cell Phone Coverage: Limited
• Water Sources: Limited or poor quality (requires treatment)

***
Hike Details

• Meeting Location: Meet at the Reeves Meadow Visitor Center (Google Maps) at 9:00am
• Public Transit: Train run to from Penn Station to Suffern (arriving 8:36 AM), and it may be possible to arrange a ride or Uber from there to the trailhead (about 6 miles / 15 mins).
• 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 $10).

***
Gear:

• Standard day-hiking gear: Hiking footwear, non-cotton clothing, sunscreen, bug spray, sunhat, sunglasses, rain gear, and an extra warm layer (always come prepared for a change in weather)
• I highly recommended treating clothing with Permethrin insecticide for protection against ticks
• 2 liters/ 2 quarts of water minimum, 3 liters are suggested for a hot day
• Lunch and Snacks
• 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. Mapy App has basic offline trail maps that are adequate.
• 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, all-day-rain, heat index >95f, or AQI >80

Let's start finalizing our plans - Please read the whole event description and then contact me (Andre) to confirm logistics and payment. (You don't have a spot until you do.)

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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.

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 hikes 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. You don't have a spot until you've paid for it and confirmed with me.

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.