NYC Urban Escapes and Outdoor Bound

Fall Foliage: Hike The Trapps at Mohonk Preserve

Sat, Oct 10 · 7:00 AM EDT

Port Authority Bus Terminal, 625 8th Ave, New York, NY 10109, USA, New York, NY, US

let's get outdoors and take a hike at Mohonk Preserve reachable on Trailways bus out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal going to New Paltz.

HIKE OVERVIEW: From the Mohonk Visitors Center we'll pick up the East Trapps Connector Trail (also known as the "Stairmaster"), a strenuous 0.25-mile (830 feet) singletrack path featuring a steep set of stone steps that connects the Visitor Center to the upper carriage roads and the West Trapps climbing cliffs. Once you reach the top of the connector, you can turn onto the Undercliff/Overcliff carriage roads for sweeping views of the Wallkill Valley and the Catskills, or head toward the West Trapps climbing cliffs.

Trail map: https://www.mohonkpreserve.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ETC_SuggestedHike_SKYTOP_MAP_REV_6.14.21.pdf

GETTING THERE: We're taking the Trailway bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal. The 7AM bus arrives in New Paltz by 8:35AM. One-way ticket is $25.00 (depends on how early you buy the ticket). Ticket can be purchased in advance at this link: https://trailways.com/

From the Trailways bus station in New Paltz, we'll share an Uber for a 5-min ride to Mohonk Visitors Center. PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A $20.00 HIKER FEE TO HIKE AT THE PRESERVE. No fee if you are member of Mohonk Preserve.

PACE: Hiking pace will be LEISURELY AND NO ONE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND. During hike we'll have lunch, water and snack breaks as needed; as well as taking time to savor the sights and sounds of nature, take photos, hug some trees, and most importantly, socialize with your fellow hikers. NO FAST HIKERS!

TOTAL MILEAGE: up to about 7 to 8 MILES

DURATION: We will be out for the entire day. But you can leave on your own at any time. We won't judge. Much.

THE IMPORTANT STUFF:

• Dress in non-cotton layers.
• Wear appropriate shoes suitable for hiking
• Bring sunscreen, bug spray, head cover, whatever else you need
• Bring at least 3 liters of liquid to stay hydrated.
• Bring lunch and snacks for yourself.
• hiking poles if you need them
• Carry your stuff in a backpack.
• Sense of adventure and a positive attitude are a must. A smile also goes a long way. Please leave the drama and crankiness at home.

AFTER HIKE, we'll allot some time to explore New Paltz and grab some local bites and drinks before heading home.

RETURN BUS: 6PM bus back to NYC by 7:40PM (depending on traffic)

WEATHER: Since bus ticket is non-refundable, this hike is rain, snow or shine!

LIABILITY WAIVER: come prepared. Participate at your own risks.
Hold no one liable etc etc.

A Scarecrow Saunter

Sun, Oct 11 · 8:30 AM EDT

Great River, East Islip, NY 11730, USA, East Islip, NY, US

let’s go take a saunter (stroll) at Bayard Cutting Arboretum reachable on Long Island Railroad to Great River Station.

NOTEWORTHY: As you stroll the grounds you will encounter SCARECROWS. This is a seasonal exhibit. So let's go take some scarecrow selfies 😂

The Bayard Cutting Arboretum is a New York State park that was donated to the Long Island State Park Region by [Bayard Family] “to provide an oasis of beauty and quiet for the pleasure, rest and refreshment of those who delight in outdoor beauty; and to bring about a greater appreciation and understanding of the value and importance of informal planting.”

Read more about it -------> HERE

GETTING THERE: Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Great River station, followed by 12-min walk to the Arboretum.

• From Penn Station the 8:42am train transfers at Jamaica at 9:11am and arrives at Great River station at 10:06am
• From Jamaica Station the 9:11am train will get you to Great River station by 10:06am
• For departures from any other LIRR station, check ------> https://new.mta.info/schedules

AGENDA:

• Once we all arrive at Great River station at 10:06AM, it's a 12-min walk from train station to the Bayard Arboretum Visitor's Center.
• We'll explore the arboretum at LEISURELY pace and NO ONE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND. PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP if you feel the need to channel your inner Speed Demon!

WEATHER: rain cancels

LIABILITY WAIVER: come prepared. Participate at your own risks. Hold no one liable etc etc..

Fall Foliage Hike: Rosendale to New Paltz

Sat, Oct 17 · 7:00 AM EDT

Port Authority Bus Terminal, 625 8th Ave, New York, NY 10109, USA, New York, NY, US

Come join us as we head north to Rosendale, NY and take a walk over the Rosendale Trestle, a 19th-century former railroad span winding 150 feet above the Rondout Creek, and the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail that will take us to New Paltz. Total mileage will be about 15 easy peasy miles.

Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/wallkill-valley-rail-trail-new-paltz-to-rosendale
(Note : we're going the reverse direction of this map)

GETTING THERE: Trailways bus out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal that goes to Rosendale.

• The 7AM NYC bus arrives in Rosendale at 8:50AM. One-way bus ticket is $32.00 (depends on how early you buy the ticket). Ticket can be purchased in advance at this link: https://trailways.com/
• PLEASE BUY ONE-WAY TICKET TO ROSENDALE as we're not coming back to the same station at the end of the day.
• For return trip, buy ONE-WAY TICKET FROM NEW PALTZ to New York.

AGENDA: Once we arrive at the Rosendale bus station we will walk about 30 mins to make our way to the Rosendale Trestle. Then we'll pick up the Wallkill Valley Railway and make our way to New Paltz.

HIKE INTENSITY: The entire day is EASY BREEZY.

PACE: Hiking pace will be LEISURELY AND NO ONE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND. We will have breaks for lunch, water and snack breaks as needed; as well as taking time to savor the sights and sounds of nature, take photos and most importantly, socialize with your fellow hikers. NO FAST HIKERS!!!

THE IMPORTANT STUFF:

• Dress in non-cotton layers.
• Wear appropriate shoes suitable for hiking.
• Bring at least 3 liters of liquid to stay hydrated.
• Bring lunch and snacks for yourself.
• Bring positive attitude, sense of adventure, and a SMILE.

DURATION: This is an all-day hike.

RETURN BUS: 6PM Trailways bus from NEW PALTZ back to NYC by 7:40PM (depending on traffic).

WEATHER: Heavy Rain cancels! Light rain we still go

LIABILITY WAIVER: come prepared. Participate at your own risks. Hold no one liable etc. etc.