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 August Schedule

SCHEDULED OUTINGS (underlined trips require pre-registration):

Sep 3 (Mon) Fahnestock Various trails through woods and high-level meadows with alpine-like vistas. 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. 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). Please sit in the first or second car of the train. No children, no pets, no smoking. Joint with AMC. L Bob Susser 212-666-4371; rsusser@aol.com. Bob Susser 212 666-4371; rsusser@aol.com.

Sept 4 (Mon) Massapequa Park, LI 10:30 AM This is a moderately paced, approx. 6-mile hike through a wonderful, level, nature preserve. Bring lunch and water. We'll cancel for rain. Hiking boots not required. Meet at the NE corner of the Massapequa LIRR station parking lot. This is the entrance to the LI Greenbelt trail.  The station parking lot is North of Sunrise Hwy, North of the tracks, at the far East side of the parking lot. This hike is through the Seatuck Environmental Association (SEA). For further information and reservations, please call SEA ar (631)
581-6908 www.seatuck.org. Joanne's cell (516) 503 3069 to be used ONLY if lost on the day of the hike.

Sept 6 (Wed) FRUIT OR HARVEST FULL MOON-SUNSET MOONRISE WALK AT MT MOSES 6:30pm to 8pm. Sunset is at 7:21pm and moonrise is 22 minutes earlier at 6:59pm 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

Sept 9 (Sat) FOREST RESTORATION WORKSHOP - GRETA MOULTON AT HIGH ROCK 10am to 2pm. Meet in the Nevada Avenue Parking lot at High Rock. If you are late, walk to the first bend of the entry road and follow the yellow trail to the green trail to our working location. Gloves, plants, tools and refreshments provided. We will plant additional shrubs and trees and check on our Highbush Cranberry plantings as well as remove all the new or returned invasive vegetation. Bring a friend who likes to work outdoors. Joint with Protectors of Pine Oak Woods. Call Leader: Dick Buegler 718 761-7496 or email ProtectorsSINY@aol.com

Sep 10 (Sun) Lake Welch A delightful getaway in an area not often explored. We'll be guests of the SBM, LP, and Beech trails. Around 8 miles at a moderate pace. 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 9:11 Jersey Transit train from Penn Station and change at Secaucus for the Port Jervis train to Sloatsburg, arriving at 10:12. Or, take the 9:10 ShortLine bus from the PABT, arriving in Sloatsburg at 10:07 (leader takes the train, which is a few dollars cheaper and more comfortable). Out in time for the 4:28 train back to Penn Station. No children, no pets, no smoking. Joint with AMC. Bob Susser 212 666-4371; rsusser@aol.com.

Sept 16 (Sat) STATEN ISLAND BEACH CLEANUP AT SHARROTT & MT LORETTO BEACHES 9am to 12 noon. Protectors of Pine Oak Woods has volunteered again to participate in this nationwide coastal clean up effort by assuming responsibility for the beach below the Mt Loretto bluff from Sharrott Avenue south to the bluff. Gloves, tools, bags and light refreshments will be provided. Last year we removed over 400 pounds of beach litter. It should be less of a chore this year. The clean-up is funded by the NY Environmental Fund. We have the full support of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), purchaser of the Mt Loretto properties. Meet at the NYC beach parking lot at the end of Sharrott Ave. Joint with Protectors of Pine Oak Woods. Call Leader: Dick Buegler 718 761-7496 or email ProtectorsSINY@aol.com

Sept 17 (Sun) MT LORETTO FALL WILDFLOWER & MONARCH BUTTERFLY WALK 9am to 11am. Join Dick Buegler, along with Sandra Mechanic, avid wildflower and insect photographer, in an exciting full tour ( 1½ miles) of the meadows, woods, bluff, stream and ponds of this NY State Unique Area saved by Protectors’ members numerous letters. She will share some of her fantastic photos that were on display at Blue Heron Park nature center earlier this spring. We may even spot a harbor seal or two which frequent Staten Island beaches. Meet at the parking lot opposite the Mt Loretto CYO in Pleasant Plains. Joint with Protectors of Pine Oak Woods. Call Leader: Dick Buegler 718 761-7496 or email ProtectorsSINY@aol.com

Sep 17 (Sun) Mt. Taurus A long uphill, but rewarded with spectacular views of the Hudson Valley. Around 6 miles at a moderate pace. 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. 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. Please sit in the first or second car of the train. Out around 4, but plan to hang around in Cold Spring afterwards for some refreshment at the Depot Cafe. No children, no pets, no smoking. Joint with AMC. Bob Susser 212 666-4371; rsusser@aol.com.

Sep 24 (Sun) Bear Mountain Over Timp and Bald. Two nice uphills, but some fairly easy walking on woods roads as well. Around 8 miles at a moderate pace. Out around 4. Parking fee $6 per car. 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 8:45 bus from the PABT (ShortLine window) to Bear Mountain. No children, no pets, no smoking. Joint with AMC. Bob Susser 212 666-4371; rsusser@aol.com.

<Return to September 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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