Take a Hike!

Great first hike of 2020 - good trail, great weather, superb people.  Thanks everyone for joining us! The good news - I clocked 5.2 miles with 1,130 feet of elevation gain.  The bad news - my net calories by the afternoon was a gain of 200 after that lunch at the Sycamore Grille. Also of note this the first hike that came in with few miles than expected, we're getting better at this. The photo album is linked to the right and please contribute if you can.  Or if easier you can send me  directly as well. Obligatory Relive Video (Viewing in Full Screen is Much Better Photo Highlights Our first automated selfie A selfie that wasn't outsourced to google or siri As fire roads go, this was not to shabby View of Mt Tammany The AT The Delaware Water Gap The most dangerous stream crossing of the day Table Rock

Hike Date - Saturday, February 22nd For this hike we'll head back to where it all began.... sort of.  Instead of hiking to the summit of Mt Tammany as we did in our first hike, we'll take in some great views of Tammany as we hike to the summit of her sister, Mount Minsi.  This hike is entirely on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware Water Gap and additional highlights of this route include a few minor rock scrambles, and a lovely Rhododendron tunnel (or 2, or 3), and a better than average fire road.  We'll also test our navigation skills by ending on a lovely un-blazed section called Table Rock Start Time - 9:00 AM Length  - Appx 5.9 Miles (It's winter!) Elevation Gain  - ~1000 feet Difficulty  - Moderate to Challenging Expected Duration  - 3-5 hours Park Trail Map  - NPS Trail Map Our Route  - Our Route Parking Location  - A gravel lot off of Lake Road in Bangor, PA.  GPS Coordinates:  40.979850, -75.142087 and...

Thanks to everyone who braved the 26 degree weather at the trail-head!  And special thanks to the new hikers who came out as well, it was great to meet each of you.   Luke rated this hike an 8 out of 10 and while we may quibble with the values, I think we can all agree it was a great way to spend a Saturday. My Strava stats match the predicted length and elevation for the first time in our history - 10.19 miles with a 1,472 total elevation game - well done!  And further, I promise once Brian stops distracting me I will do better at making correct turns at trail-head junctions. Our Relive video is below (click YouTube when the video starts to make it larger). And our photo album is here (and linked to the right) with some few highlights below. Taking a rest at a junction Mike and Fred showing how nimble they are during a dangerous stream crossing Proof it was cold Getting on the AT Gibbs on top of the world Bob and Zack keeping ...

Hike Date - Saturday, November 16th (This is our second attempt, the first, scheduled for this pass summer had to be canceled) For this hike we'll head to a northwest NJ staple, Stokes State Forest, a 16,000 acre woodland nestled in the Kittatinny Mountains.  Many long-time NJ residents likely have taken an overnight middle school trip the cabins in the valley.  The pay-off is a great view from Sunrise Mountain, the second tallest 'peak' in New Jersey at 1,653 feet above sea level. Length - Appx 10.1 Miles Elevation Gain - ~1400 feet Difficulty - Moderate to Challenging Expected Duration - 4-7 hours Park Trail Map - Stokes State Forest  or courtesy of NYNJTC Our Route - Here Parking Location - Stony Lake Parking - arrive via main Stokes entrance, drive down Coursen Rd and make a right at the end to get to the trail lot. (Follow signs for Stony Lake).  GPS Coordinates:  41.203732, -74.772489 and Google Maps link Restrooms - At the visitors cente...

Thanks everyone for yet another great day in the woods!  The weather was good, the hike was great, the company even better.  This was our 13th hike and were a mere three feet away from an unlucky 13, but luckily Karen did not step on that rattler. Looks like we hiked about 8.5 miles with an elevation gain 1,800 feet, not shabby at all, well done all.  And a special thanks to our new hiker Olivia, who along with Luke did there best to keep our average age to a workable number. The obligatory Relive video (click YouTube when the video starts to watch on YouTube in a larger format(.... And finally, some pictorial highlights below.  Here is the album , feel free to add directly to this from your device or desktop, or if easier you can email or text them directly to me.  (Click to enlarge) The long line of hikers making there way through the wild (courtesy of Bob) Two wonderful group pics from Ramapo Torne  Brian did a lot of compla...

On Sunday, October 6th we'll head back to Harriman State Park to try a different set of trails in the Southern section of the park.  It's approximately an 8 mile loop with 1,600 feet of elevation gain, and features a fun spot to climb, the famous view at Ramapo Torne, and several cascades if the water is still flowing.  We can also see the NYC skyline a in a few spots to if conditions are favorable. There are multiple bail out points or options to extend as well.  Start time is 9:30 AM as it is a bit of a drive for most in the group. Length - Appx  7.5 Miles Elevation Gain - ~1500 feet Difficulty - Moderate to Challenging Expected Duration - 4-6 hours Park Trail Map - Harriman State Park Our Route - Here Parking Location - Russian Bear Trail-Head Parking (41.174149, -74.168819) and there is a lot a few hundred feet up the road on the left (88 Seven Lakes Drive, Southfield, NY will get you close).  Note:  This is a very popular starting...

Thanks everyone for another great day.  The weather was excellent, the views wonderful, and the company top notch.  My route app said 6.9 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain, my legs call this into question as they are fairly tired at the moment! Album here and linked to the right, send me any pictures you would posted and I'll include them as well. Through the tall grass He needs no introduction First views - Hudson River and Storm King Mountain Break time at the top Some minor scrambles that made the route even more enjoyable What is Jeff drinking?  (Thanks Brian for your back and the barley malt!) Take 3 was the winner From the megalith One of a few small cascades I believe Gibbs asked us to stop, we didn't need the cool water ourselves Back through the field