West Mtn & Bear Mtn [9 Miles | Car Pooling]

**If you are driving and willing to offer rides, please use the event comments. Be sure to mention where you are leaving from.**
(The answers to your RSVP questions can only be seen by the event host.)

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

Pace will be moderate since I'll be carrying a full backpacking pack.

*****
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 & Skill Level

• Distance: 8- 10 miles, depending on route
• Elevation: Approximately 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)
• Commitment Level: Shorter routes and bailout points are available
• Cell Phone Coverage: Limited
• Water Sources: Limited or poor quality (requires treatment)

*****

• 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).

*****
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