ATLANTIC CHAPTER HIKING, BACKPACKING, SNOWSHOE, ICE SKATING, SKI TRIPS, WALKS, MEETINGS AND SOCIAL EVENTS

ALL MONTH LONG:

SINGLES OUTINGS and IMPROMPTU OUTINGS Atlantic Chapter/Lower Hudson Group email list of impromptu singles outings & other impromptu outings led by Sierra Club leaders. Events include museum trips, social events, photography outings, nature walks, day hikes, snowshoe & x-c ski day trips, etc. To be put on list for notification via email click here and go to "Join or Leave the List"  These outings are not listed in the printed schedule and are posted on the web site the week of the trip, after they have been announced to the email list.  .

SHAWANGUNK SERVICE TRIPS      Help spruce up one of the region’s most beautiful trails in one of the 10 most endangered ecosystems in the Western Hemisphere. Moderate to strenuous outing, including a 5 mile hike. Possible dinner afterwards in New Paltz. Light cotton work gloves required (available for $1 or $2 at most hardware stores). Hiking boots recommended. Group size limited and early start required due to transportation requirements. You will be notified of the trips throughout the spring, summer and fall. To be placed on the email notification list sign up for the Singles/Impromptu Outings List Serve  For inquiries you can telephone leader until 10:30 PM the week before the trip at 914-234-6618. Pictures of previous trips available on web site . Participants on two or more trips will receive an official Gertrude's Nose Trail Maintainer T-shirt when they are produced!

HELP SAVE BELLEAYRE MOUNTAIN AND THE CATSKILLS Sign the petition to Governor Spitzer or write a letter to the governor and check on the latest developments at http://www.savethemountain.net 

To November Schedule

SCHEDULED OUTINGS: (underlined trips require pre-registration)

Dec 1 (Sat )  WARD POUND RIDGE RESERVATION IMPROMPTU SINGLES HIKE   Moderate 6-7 mile hike in Westchester County's largest nature preserve to Highpoint with panoramic views of the NYC reservoirs and side trip to the Leatherman's Cave.  Early start due to early sunset this time of year.  Possible after hike socializing over hot chocolate or hot cider and apple pie at a local restaurant or cider mill.  Bring water, snack/light lunch, wind breaker, warm hat and fleece or sweater for rest stops.  Public transportation is 8:46 AM Metro North Harlem Line Train from Grand Central Terminal in NYC to Katonah.  Purchase train tickets prior to boarding at ticket counter or ticket machines ($8.75 one way.)  Drivers meet train at Katonah Metro North Railroad Station at 9:45 AM (see  http://as0.mta.info/mnr/stations/station_detail.cfm?key=154 ) Parking fee at park $8 per vehicle to be shared by driver and passengers.  DRIVERS PLEASE EMAIL LEADER TO LET HIM KNOW YOU'LL BE DRIVING, SO WE'LL HAVE ENOUGH DRIVERS FOR THE TRAIN RIDERS!  LEADER Don Pachner  Email (preferred) wildplaces@verizon.net Phone (NO CALLS AFTER 10:30 PM PLEASE) 914-234-6618

Dec 16 (Sun)  RIVERSIDE PARK PARK WALK (NYC) A moderately-paced walk in Riverside Park and along the river from 116th St. to 66th St. (around 2 miles) -- followed by some nice hot soup (or whatever) at Ollie's Noodle Shop on 67th & Bway. Meet 10:30 inside the Broadway & 116th St. subway station, but outside the turnstiles. Rain or shine. No need to register -- just show up. No pets; no smoking. Joint with AMC. LEADER Bob Susser, Tel. 212-666-4371; EMAIL  rsusser@aol.com

Dec 29 (Sat) ROCKWOOD HALL HIKE A leisurely stroll of about 4 miles through this rolling section of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve with its sweeping views of the Hudson and old stately trees -- then continuing on the Old Croton Aqueduct to Scarborough, where we will end up in time for the 3:06 train back to the city. Lunch in Phelps cafeteria -- bring your own or buy it there. Call or, preferably, email me beforehand to make sure that the walk is on. Take the 10:20 Hudson Line MetroNorth train from Grand Central, arriving in Philipse Manor at 11:12 (RT fare: $14.50/$9.50Srs.) This train may also be boarded 10:40 at the Marble Hill station, one block from the 225th St. stop on the #1 subway line (RT fare: $7/$3.50Srs.) Please sit in the first or second open car of the train. Buy round-trip ticket to Scarborough (same fare as to Philipse Manor).  Drivers: park at the Scarborough station, 156 Scarborough Station Road (free on weekends), and take the 11:06 train to Philipse Manor, arriving at
11:10. From NYC take the Thruway to Exit 9, then Route 9 north to Scarborough; make a left on Scarborough Station Road; park in the commuter parking lot. No pets; no children; no smoking. Joint with AMC. LEADER Bob Susser Tel. 212 666-4371 Email rsusser@aol.com

<Return to December Calendar>

OUTINGS TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION & TRAILHEADS FOR HIKERS

NYC TRANSPORTATION: Unless otherwise specified, buses leave from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) at 8th Ave. & 41st St. in Manhattan, while trains leave from Grand Central Terminal (GCT) at Park Ave. & 42nd St. in Manhattan (or take the IRT #1 Broadway subway to 225th St. for the Marble Hill station). Check bus and train schedules for changes. The leader will wait for the bus or train to arrive. Although car rides might not be available on the way back, a one-way ticket is a good bet. Car pool arrangements are strictly between the rider and the driver, not the leader or the Sierra Club. It is suggested that each passenger pay five cents a mile, and that all passengers share in the tolls. Drivers should arrive in time to meet the bus or train. Bring your lunch—the group will not wait for you to buy it at the meeting point. Do not assume you can leave your car all day at the meeting point – ask the leader.

ARDEN: Drivers: Take the NYS Thruway (I-87) to Exit 15A to Route 17 North 2.3 miles past Red Apple Rest (see Southfields). Turn right onto Arden Valley Road (not marked, but where Appalachian Trail enters Harriman Park). Drive ¼-mile over Thruway and turn right into dirt parking lot. Nondrivers: Take the 7:50 Shortline bus from PABT to Arden, arriving at 9:10. Get off at Arden entrance of Harriman Park. Walk east ¼ mile up road and turn right into the parking lot.

BEAR MOUNTAIN: Drivers: Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway to Exit 19-Bear Mountain Park. Meet at entrance to the Bear Mountain Inn. Nondrivers: Take 8:45 International Bus (Shortline ticket window) from PABT to Bear Mountain, arriving at 10:15. Meet at entrance to the Bear Mountain Inn.

BREAKNECK RIDGE: Drivers: Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway all the way to the Bear Mountain Bridge, cross the bridge, turn left onto Route 9D North for about 11 miles (past Cold Spring). Go through a tunnel and park ¼ mile north of the tunnel on the left-hand side of the road. Nondrivers: [weekends only]: Take Metro North train (Hudson line) from GCT leaving at 8:48 to Breakneck Ridge (flagstop—tell the conductor), arriving at 10:14. Walk back ¼-mile towards tunnel and meet in parking area on left.

COLD SPRING: Drivers: Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway all the way to the Bear Mountain Bridge, cross the bridge, turn left onto Route 9D North for about 10 miles, make a left on Main St., and meet near the Station Café (to the right of the foot of Main St.). Nondrivers: Take Metro North train (Hudson line) from GCT leaving at 8:48 to Cold Spring, arriving at 10:10. Walk north (do not cross over the tracks) and meet drivers at the Station Cafe.

GARRISON: Drivers: Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway all the way to the Bear Mountain Bridge, cross the bridge, turn left onto Route 9D North for about 6 miles, then take Route 403 West for half a mile. At train station, continue via overpass to other side of tracks (Hudson River side) and park at the south end, between ticket booth and deli. Nondrivers: Take Metro North train (Hudson line) from GCT leaving at 8:48 to Garrison, arriving at 10:06.

GREENWOOD LAKE: Drivers: Take the GW Bridge to Route 4 to Route 208 to I-287 South. Exit 57 to Skyline Drive North until it comes to an end. Make a right onto Route 511 (Greenwood Lake Turnpike) north. Continue through intersection with Lakeside Road (a/k/a Union Valley Road/Route 513) - West Milford diner is on your right; just ahead on your left, park in the Hewitt Plaza (A&P) shopping mall parking lot, near the Mobil gas station. Nondrivers: Take NJ Transit bus from PABT-leaving at 8:30 AM Sat. or weekdays (arriving at 9:57) or 8:45 AM Sun. (arriving at 10:12) to Greenwood Lake, New Jersey. Check latest schedule with NJ Transit (973-762-5100) – it varies.

MANITOU: Drivers: Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway all the way to the Bear Mountain Bridge, cross the bridge, turn left onto Route 9D North for about 1.3 miles, and turn left onto Manitou Road. Park next to the railroad tracks. Nondrivers [weekends only]: Take Metro North train (Hudson line) from GCT leaving at 8:48 to Manitou (flagstop—tell the conductor), arriving at 10:01.

MOUNTAINVILLE: Drivers: Take the NYS Thruway (I-87) to Exit 16 (Harriman). Take Route 32 North through Central Valley, Woodbury and Highland Mills to intersection with Angola Road, adjacent to Black Rock Fish & Game Club sign on left. Wait for the leader. Nondrivers: Take the 8:30 Shortline bus from PABT to Mountainville, arriving at 9:52.

NEW PALTZ (Minnewaska, Mohonk, Awosting): Drivers: Take the NYS Thruway (I-87) to Exit 18. Turn left, go down hill approximately a mile to the Trailways bus station. Park on the street, not in the parking lot; please don't block the buses or cabs. Nondrivers: Take the 8:30 Adirondack Trailways bus from PABT to New Paltz, arriving at 10:00. Exit the parking lot and meet the leader on the street; please don't block the buses or cabs.

SLOATSBURG: Drivers: Take the NYS Thruway (I-87) to Exit 15A to Route 17 North to Sloatsburg. Look for the Municipal Bldg. (2-story, modern red brick) on the right, make a hard right turn, make a second right before crossing the RR tracks (200 ft.), and a third right into the railroad commuter parking lot south of the station. Nondrivers: Take the 7:50 Shortline bus from PABT to Sloatsburg (next stop after Suffern), arriving at 8:52. Get off in front of the Sloatsburg Municipal Building, and follow driving directions above (it’s not far).

SOUTHFIELDS: Drivers: Take the NYS Thruway (I-87) to Exit 15A to Route 17 North past Sloatsburg and Tuxedo to Southfields. Park in back of the Red Apple Rest, a large diner on the right-hand side of the northbound lane. Nondrivers: Take the 7:50 Shortline bus from PABT to Southfields, arriving at 9:02. Meet at the Red Apple Rest.

SUFFERN: Drivers: Take the NYS Thruway (I-87) to Exit 14B-Airmont Road. Go left on Airmont Road to Route 59 West to Suffern. Park in railroad parking lot behind the bus shelter. Nondrivers: Take the 7:50 Shortline bus from PABT to Suffern, arriving at 8:43.

TUXEDO: Drivers: Take the NYS Thruway (I-87) to Exit 15A to Route 17 North several miles past Sloatsburg. Park in lot by police station/railroad station. Nondrivers: Take the 7:50 Shortline bus from PABT to Tuxedo, arriving 8:57

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