ALL MONTH LONG:

SINGLES OUTINGS and IMPROMPTU OUTINGS Atlantic Chapter/Lower Hudson Group email list of impromptu singles outings & other impromptu outings led by Murray Schechter, Don Pachner and others. Events include museum trips, social events, photography outings, nature walks, day hikes, 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 September Schedule

SCHEDULED OUTINGS (underlined trips require pre-registration):

Oct 1 (Sun) MT LORETTO UNIQUE AREA & CLAY PIT PONDS 10am to 4pm. An all day botanical walk of both parks for Torrey Botanical Society. Meet at 10am in parking lot of Mt Loretto Unique Area on Hylan Blvd. opposite the CYO center in Pleasant Plains. At Mt. Loretto, we’ll look for the summer’s orchids in seed and the smooth aster that feeds the Monarchs. At Clay Pit we’ll check out the cranberries, and the two rare oak and pine species growing there. We will eat our own bag lunch at Clay Pit at 12:30pm to 1pm. Joint with Protectors of Pine Oak Woods. Call Leader: Dick Buegler 718 761-7496 or email ProtectorsSINY@aol.com

Oct 6 (Fri) BIG WIND OR HUNTERS’ FULL MOON - SUNSET MOONRISE WALK AT MT MOSES 5:45pm to 7:15pm. Sunset is at 6:31pm and moonrise is 17 minutes earlier at 6:14pm It takes the moon another 20 minutes to rise above the hills of High Rock so we should see moonrise just as the sun is setting. We have never seen them occur at exactly the same time before. Meet at the entry road to Eger Home at intersection of Rockland and Meisner Avenues. Flashlight is required for each person in your group. Please bring a light refreshment to share with others. Be sure to dress for a cool evening. The walk is barely fifteen minutes each way. On the way past the intersection, see the hundreds of shrubs, trees, grasses and fall wildflowers that DEP planted in the flood control system that has worked well so far in moderately heavy rains. Joint with Protectors of Pine Oak Woods. Call Leader: Dick Buegler 718 761-7496 or email ProtectorsSINY@aol.com

Oct 7 (Sat) MONARCH BUTTERFLY WALK, GREAT KILLS 9:45am to 3:30pm. This is the Annual 6 mile walk to Crooke’s Point. Meet at the auto entrance to Gateway National Park, opposite Buffalo Street where the 78 bus from the ferry stops. Count butterflies feeding on the goldenrods and asters. Meet the Nancy Lincoln killer plant, close relative to favorite wildflowers. Enjoy your bagged lunch and beverage at the shore. Feel free to leave and return to the starting point when you wish. We will lunch sitting on the sandy beach among the asters, goldenrods and butterflies, looking out on Great Kills Harbor, Sandy Hook and the NY Lower Bay, looking for harbor seals. Joint with Protectors of Pine Oak Woods. Call Leader: Dick Buegler 718 761-7496 or email ProtectorsSINY@aol.com

Oct 15 (Sun) FAHNESTOCK STATE PARK - HUDSON HIGHLANDS   Various trails through woods and high-level meadows with alpine-like vistas. Ups and downs, but no steep climbs. Around 8 miles at a moderate pace. Out around 5. No need to register, but 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 9:51 MetroNorth Hudson Line train from GCT, arriving in Cold Spring at 11:09 for short shuttle to Fahnestock. Fare: OW $10/Srs.$6.50. This train may also be boarded 10:10 at the Marble Hill station (one block west of the 225th St. stop on the #1 subway). Fare: OW $7.50/Srs.$3.75. Please sit in the first or second car of the train. Drivers from NYC: take the Saw Mill River Pkwy to Exit 26, then 9A north to Route 9, then 403 west to 9D north to Route 301 (which is Main St.in Cold Spring); then left on Main St. to its end, and park temporarily in the parking lot of the Depot Cafe. No children, no pets, no smoking. LEADER Bob Susser TEL. 212-666-4371; EMAIL rsusser@aol.com 

Oct 21 (Sat) Pocantico Hills - 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. Take 8:51 express from Grand Central to Tarrytown. Use two rear cars. Rain cancels. Leader: Michael Miernik, 914-524-0184 (7-10:30 PM).

Oct 28 (Sat) Rockefeller Park Preserve - West to East - Moderate to difficult, briskly-paced 8 - 10-mile hike with few stops, over varied terrain through past and present portions of the Rockefeller estate. We'll use the Croton Aqueduct trail to enter the Preserve from Tarrytown, and hike through the central and eastern portions of the park; exiting using the Northern Trailway. Some bushwahcking will be required, including a steep slippery descent, so be prepared. This is not a stroll, the goal is aerobic exercise. Limited to 10. Call the leader for details. Rain cancels. Leader: Michael Miernik, 914-524-0184 (7-10:30 PM).

Oct 28 (Sat) ANNUAL FALL 10 MILE WALK OF THE STATEN ISLAND GREENBELT 9:30am to 4pm. Meet at the bridge leading to the Clove Lakes Café. Bring lunch and beverage and sturdy walking shoes. Come meet others who enjoy a day outdoors. We go in all weather but walk shortened if high pollution levels occur. Our pace could be considered a comfortable one. Come see the fall colors at their peak while there is still some green for contrast. Joint with Protectors of Pine Oak Woods. Call Leader: Dick Buegler 718 761-7496 or email ProtectorsSINY@aol.com

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS!     TURN YOUR CLOCK BACK AN HOUR !!

October 30 (Sun) STATEN ISLAND'S NEWEST WILDFLOWER GARDEN 1pm to 3pm. See this creation of the NYC DEP who also constructed the lovely pond at the foot of Lighthouse Hill. Discover butterflies, frogs and dozens of recently planted native flowering trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers at the intersection of Manor Road and Rockland Avenue. We will encourage you to return, on your own, to experience the seasonal changes. Park at the foot of the roadway leading up to Eger Home. Joint with Protectors of Pine Oak Woods. Call Leader: Dick Buegler 718-761-7496 or e-mail ProtectorsSINY@aol.com

October 30 (Sun) JOHNSONTOWN CIRCULAR A moderately-paced 8-mile ridge walk on the Blue Disc and other trails, passing by Lake Skenanto. Out around 4. Call or email me beforehand to make sure that the hike is on and if you need or can offer a ride from NYC. Take the 9:11 Jersey Transit train from Penn Station, changing at Secaucus for the 9:31 Port Jervis train to Sloatsburg, arriving 10:12; or take the 9:10 Shortline bus from the PABT, arriving in Sloatsburg at 10:07 (leader waits for both train and bus). Joint with AMC. No pets or children. Leader: Bob Susser 212-666-4371 (no calls after 10pm please) or email rsusser@aol.com

<Return to October 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.

Send comments about this page to Atlantic Chapter Outings Schedule Coordinator/Webmaster