ALL MONTH LONG:

SINGLES OUTINGS, HOOKY HIKES, and IMPROMPTU OUTINGS Atlantic Chapter/Lower Hudson Group email list of impromptu singles outings, hooky hikes & other impromptu outings led by Murray Schechter, Don Pachner and others. Events include museum trips, social events, photography outings, nature walks, day hikes, beach trips, etc. To be put on list for notification via email click here and go to "Join or Leave the 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 fall. To be placed on the email notification list or for further information, subscribe to the Impromptu/Singles Outings List used also for notification of Shawangunk Service Trips.   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 designed and  produced!

NYC VEGETARIANS NYC Vegetarians - fun and informal vegetarian dinners, picnics, hikes and other activities throughout the year.  To register for the NYC Vegetarians list-serv, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYCVegetarians then follow the instructions. (advertisement)

To April Schedule

SCHEDULED OUTINGS (underlined trips require pre-registration):

May 5 (Sat) Pocantico Hills Hike - Easy -moderately paced 5-mile hike over varied terrain through past and present portions of the Rockefeller estate. Usually out by 3 PM. There will be one 15-minute period of silence so we can listen to the wind in the trees.  Opportunity to view contented cows first-hand. Rain cancels.  Rain cancels. LEADER: Michael Miernik, 914-524-0184 (7-10:30 PM)

May 6 (Sun)   Lake Welch Hike    A delightful getaway in an area not often explored. We'll be guests of the SBM, LP, and Beech trails.  8 miles at a moderate pace, with one steep uphill (but no scrambling).  It is not necessary to register, but you must call or (preferably) email me beforehand to make sure that the hike is on, and if you need or can offer a ride from NYC.  Take the 9:14 Jersey Transit train from Penn Sta., changing at Secaucus for the 9:31 Port Jervis train to Sloatsburg, arriving at 10:12.  (Fare: RT $14.75/Srs.$9)  Or, take the 9:10 ShortLine bus from PABT arriving in Sloatsburg at 10:07.  (Fare: RT $25.90/Srs.$12.90).  Out in time for the 4:28 train back to Penn Sta.  No children, no pets, no smoking.  Joint with AMC.  LEADER Bob Susser TEL. 212 666-4371; EMAIL rsusser@aol.com.

May 12 (Sat)  Bronx Botanical Garden Walk   A leisurely stroll  through the Garden.  Tulips, azaleas, lilacs, and cherry trees are all magnificent at this time -- we will also walk along the Bronx River through NYC's only primeval forest!   Take the 10:23 Harlem Line train from Grand Central, arriving at the "Botanical Garden" Station at 10:42.  Fare One Way $3 with "City Ticket."   Alternatively, take the 4 or D subway to "Bedford Park Blvd." and then the #26 bus east to the Mosholu Gate entrance -- or, the 2 subway to "Allerton Ave." and then the #26 bus west to the entrance.   Meet just inside the Mosholu Gate at 10:45.  Admission to the Gardens is free on Saturdays until noon.  Visit to conservatory optional (admission: $8/Srs.$7).  If driving, park in the lot by the station ($10) or on a nearby street.  No coordination of rides.  Visit will end by 3 PM but, of course, you are free to leave earlier or stay later.  Rain or shine...it is not necessary to register.  Bring lunch and beverage, or buy it in the cafeteria.  No pets; no smoking.  LEADER: Bob Susser TEL. 212-666-4371; EMAIL rsusser@aol.com

May 13 (Sun)  Pocantico Hills   IN MEMORY OF PETE MOONAN A leisurely stroll of around 6 miles along some of the shady carriage paths and intimate wooded lanes with panoramic vistas which characterize this beautiful State park preserve.  Take the 10:20 MetroNorth Hudson Line train from Grand Central, arriving in Philipse Manor at 11:12.  (RT fare: $14.50/Srs.$9.50)  This train may also be boarded 10:40 at the Marble Hill station, one block from the 225th St. stop on the #1 subway RT fare: $7/Srs.$3.50.  Please sit in the first or second open car of the train.  No need to register, but you must call or (preferably) email me beforehand to make sure that the hike is on, and if you need or can offer a ride from NYC.  No children, no pets, no smoking.  Joint with AMC.   LEADER Bob Susser TEL. 212-666-4371; EMAIL rsusser@aol.com .

May 20 (Sun) Central Park Tree Identification Walk.    Ned Barnard, the author of "New York City Trees - A Field Guide For the Metropolitan Area,"  will escort us on another one of his very popular tree identification walks.  Of necessity, the walk will go at a snail's pace with many stops, and is not for those looking to get a lot of exercise.  Meet 10:30 AM at the northeast corner of 72nd St. &  5th Ave.  The walk will end around 3 PM, so bring lunch.  It is not necessary to register, but you must call or (preferably) email me beforehand to make sure that the walk is on.  Ned will have a limited number of his books on hand for those who wish to buy one ($10).  Let me know if you are thinking of buying a book so Ned will have some idea of how many to bring along.  No pets, no smoking.  Joint with AMC.  LEADER: Bob Susser, TEL. 212-666-4371; EMAIL rsusser@aol.com .

To June Schedule

<Return to May 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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