Monday, March 11, 2013

Sun 3/17 Old Putnam/Westchester NY Hike and Fri night hike!

Hey all! Let's gear up for some great St. Patty's Day theme hiking! We have old Putnam Sunday and another friday night hike. Read toward the end for info on the night hike, but here is the info for this Sunday, 3/17 Old Putnam St. Patrick's Day Hike!
Join us for an interesting point to point hike, using public transportation, on the Old Putnam line, most of which is now the South and North County Greenways in Westchester County, as well as a few lesser developed parks both along the Hudson, through little towns, and in the Bronx!
We will be meeting at 9 am at Hastings-On-Hudson train station, located at 134 South Side Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson. That is actually the address of the station cafe, obviously we'll be meeting at the station. Those coming from the city using public transportation can obviously meet us at the start of the hike, which is at Riverdale which is where the train is scheduled to drop us at 9:36.
It doesn't really matter which we meet at for the hike, but the participant is responsible for finding the group upon arrival, which brings me to the next item:
This hike is St. Patricks Day Theme! Let's celebrate by dressing in all green for this hike! Most of the route will be very easy, and much of the Old Putnam line is now a paved trail. We will never be very far from civilization.
The hike is between 15 and 16 miles (The short trails near the end are not to scale, so an approximation must be accepted. The park is very small, and so it should certainly be under 16 total).
The hike will start by following the Hudson south, then heading east through the Bronx and small pocket parks to Van Cortland Park. Here, we pick up the Old Putnam Trail, a surprisingly secluded and beautiful rail trail with original cinder surface much like the ones further to the west. It is surprising such a place exists within the confines of NY City.
When the trail leaves the Bronx, it becomes a more developed, paved trail. We'll continue on it north until we must follow a few roads to reach Hillside Park, a lesser used park with several trails leading down into Hastings-On-Hudson. We'll remain in parks until we reach a short section of Old Croton Aqueduct, then descend from it to the station, and admire the views along the Hudson before completing our hike.
This should be a great time!
THIS FRIDAY NIGHT: Join for a 15 mile night hike between Long Valley and Mansfield! Meet at 4:00 pm at Penwell, Mansfield Township NJ. From the traffic light in Mansfield, where Rt 57 intersects with Point Mountain Road and Port Murray Road, head no more than a half mile east and Penwell Road descends to the right. At the bottom of the hill, just before the bridge over the Musconetcong, turn left onto the abandoned former Penwell Road route. It's blocked at the end. We'll be pulling off on the left side at an angle within sight of the intersection.
We'll shuttle to the beginning and hike the Patriot's Path and Highlands Trail in to Hackettstown, and then visit Weiss Market where free samples are being given out at their "Meet the Manager" special. We'll then head west on a rail grade, then follow pleasant back roads through lovely farm lands and descend to Penwell. Only a very short distance walking along Rt 57. The rest is mostly fantastic back roads, beautiful foot paths, a scenic vista, an old iron mine, and more!
For both of these hikes further information, call or text me at 908 343 8374

M'ke

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