Cold Spring to Beacon solstice sunrise hike 🥾🌅- using public transit 🚇

Name: Cold Spring to Beacon solstice sunrise hike 🥾🌅- using public transit 🚇
Start: 2025-06-20T23:15:00-04:00
End: 2025-06-21T01:15:00-04:00
Location: Cold Spring Depot

Hosted By

Francisco

Cold Spring to Beacon solstice sunrise hike 🥾🌅- using public transit 🚇

Details

Update
Changing the plan slightly. We will now meet in Beacon for dinner or drinks or both at 20h30. We are taking the 19H37 train to Beacon from Grand Central.
Dinner and drinks are optional. You can just meet us at the start of the hike but it's' fun to meet before the hike.
If you are skipping dinner or can't make that train just take the 21h37 train from Grand Central that arrives in Cold Spring. This is a train an hour earlier than originally planned which will arrive at 23h05 in Cold Spring. If you a bunch of you had already planned starting at midnight and taking the 22h37 train then we can split into two groups since we have about 60 people coming. The earlier hiking group will probably stop a bunch of times to hang out, drink, eat, etc. Easy peasy :)
Pre-hike dinner and drinks meetup: https://www.meetup.com/nybackpackers/events/308488871/
The Plan
We will hike all night to watch the sunrise at Beacon Mountain. This is usually a solstice hike but the solstice is on Tuesday so moving this to Friday.
We usually do Breakneck every year but due to work on the new Fjord trail it will be closed.
On Saturday morning we will get brunch in Beacon and then either go swimming or catch the train back to the city.
I will create a WhatsApp chat a few days before so we can share in on the excitement, share pictures of the hike and also find each other on the trail.
The Route
Our route will be Cornish to Undercliff to Breakneck Ridge to Beacon Tower. Blue trail from Cold Spring to yellow to white.
This is a 9 mile hike. Bring a headlamp, food and water. We usually bring some beer or wine to celebrate. Maybe it’s in a can or in a box as glass can break. Also a warm jacket as it can be chilly before sunrise. It can be super hot during the day but at the top of Beacon it can 20 to 30 degrees colder at night.
Rules
If you are on the Yes list make sure to show up as you would take someone space if you don’t, if you are on the waitlist please check often to make sure you didn’t get moved to the Yes list as that happens all the time.
How do we get there?
We will be getting in Beacon before the hike.
If you can't make dinner you can catch the 21h47 Metro North train to Cold Spring which arrive in Cold spring at 23h04. If you are driving meet us either in Cold Spring at that time. [updated]
We will walk from Cold Spring train station to the trailhead which is about 1.1 miles from the station.
Those of you driving can park at the train station or at the Mount Taurus parking lot. You can shuttle your car or just take the train back from Beacon to Cold Spring. There is a free bus that takes people from the Beacon trailhead to the train so no need for car shuttling or a car for this hike.
Why should I do this?
Stunning sunrises
This is the perfect time to hike in what is usually one of the busiest trails in the area.
Did I mention stunning sunrise yet? Plus good company.
The caveat
We will not hike a large group as everyone has a different pace so we will split up in small groups at different paces so everyone must be able to read a map and follow blazes. Map of the hike is digital and can be downloaded here: Check out this map on the Avenza Map Store https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/91860