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

The Plan

We will meet in Beacon at 21h00 for dinner and drinks. We are taking the 19h19 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 21h47 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.

We are meeting at 23h15 at the Cold Spring train station next the Cold Spring Depot restaurant.

If you are driving park at the Cold Spring train station parking lot and then walk over to the depot. The parking lot is on the other side of the tracks of the depot so you can use the pedestrian over pass or the tunnel under the tracks to get to the Depot.

As we get closer to the hike date I will post a chat in the comments section so we can coordinate better using WhatsApp.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Not sure why I need to say this but no smoking during the event. If you are a smoker wait until after the event for your cancer stick addiction. No e-cigarettes either.

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 sunrises 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