11/3 Post Halloween Palisades Area Loop (Costumes Optional!)

Join us for a fantastic loop hike beginning at the Palisades Mall and making our way in a circuit using the Long Path and and many other connecting trails, as well as Old Erie Path and other old rail lines! About 15 miles in length. Feel free to wear your costume! Optional of course.For the past two years, the Halloween themed hike has been in and around Sleepy Hollow, but this year I figured we'd re-visit another place nearby and cover some more new ground, right across the Hudson from Sleepy Hollow. One of the centerpieces is the Tweed Tunnels of former Camp Bluefield Firing Range. The tunnels are most all that remain of this camp where POWs were held during World War I. The tunnels were intended to provide safe passage for the National Guard while firing was going on.The hike will begin from the Palisades Mall, no car shuttle needed. We cross the parking lot and make our way east on a couple back roads to the trail head for Buttermilk Falls County Park. We'll view the namesake waterfall, then continue up hill passing views to the west to Clausland Mountain. We continue from here toward the Long Path, but we'll get on side paths that will take us through and around the Tweed Tunnels. At lease one we can pass completely through.We'll head south from here parallel with and on the Long Path. I plan to visit the old Nike Missile Site, now a public park along the way, then return to Long Path. This will take us through some of Rockland Cemetery, then descend into the town of Piermont. From Piermont, we get on the Old Erie Path to Joseph B Clarke Rail Trail.The old rail lines take us west and then north on a pleasant, clear and relaxing path to return. There are places to refill on food and water when we get down near Piermont, but everyone should be prepared with plenty of water regardless.
Although much of this hike will be level on the rail beds, the sections on Clauseland Mountain are at times rugged, on narrow foot paths.
If anyone has any further questions, feel free to contact me at 908 343 8374

Other upcoming stuff: Nov 10: Jason Kumpas takes the reigns for a Philly area/Fairmount Park hike connecting with other great stuff we've done in Philly
Nov 17: Join us for the next Jersey Perimeter hike with Cape May Nat'l Wildlife Refuge trails, back roads, and two wine tastings!
Nov 23 and 24: I am finally going to attempt my aspiration since high school, to hike 50-60 miles in one day. We will be going between Albany and Kingston, mostly on back roads along the Hudson. Who knows what we'll find. We'll move along at a good pace. Plan is to take a bus from Kingston to Albany, then head southbound from the college. A few have already expressed interest. Who else would like to be crazy with us?
More to come...