Hiking

First: Go out and get a pair of decent hiking boots. You won't go any faster or be less tired, but you will be less likely to twist an ankle or get bruises on the soles of your feet, and reduce the likelihood of slipping on wet and/or mossy rocks. The next most important thing is water. Get dehydrated and you will suffer what cyclists call the "bonk"; fatigue and often nausea. Bring at least a quart of water. Nowadays it is easier than in the past, you can buy a "Camelback" pack with a buit-in water supply with a plastic tube that you clip to your shirt from which you can take a swallow of water at any time. Make sure you take drinks regularly during the hike, no sense bringing most of it back. Then - food. You will be exercising, sometimes strenuously. Bring snacks that are high in carbohydrates that your body can quickly convert to sugar to power your muscles. Complex carbs like granola, nuts, and dried fruit work better than candy bars. Don't bring a salami & cheese hero, at best it will lay like a stone in your stomach. You may even barf it up. Deer ticks are always a problem, even in mid-winter. Use bug spray liberally, and when tyou get home, remove & wash all your clothes ASAP! Take a shower & check yourself for deer ticks. This can be fun if you shower with a friend. If rain is a possiblity, bring a light poncho or rain jacket. Above 60º you will get wet from sweat inside it; under 60º and you will sweat but stay warm (important!). Bring a pair of socks so you can change if your feet get wet ("sweaty" counts as wet) and avoid blisters. Dress lightly and in layers. If you start off comfortable, you will very quickly get hot. Best to start off chilly & get warm as you go.

Ramapo's hikes are generally 4 to 6 miles; 4 - 5 hours long. Terrain varies from rolling to very steep, that is why we suggest hiking boots rather than sneakers. If you get out in front of the hike leader, we always stop at trail intersections to make sure we gather everyone up before proceeding, and/or turning. We have never left anyone for the wolves. We stop for breaks as needed and generally stop for a lunch break somewwhere in the middle. If the weather forecast is 80% chance of rain at the start, the hike is cancelled (www.weather.weatherbug.com), otherwise we go. If it is cold, you'll get warm, if it is hot, remove some clothing. If we get caught in the rain, you did bring raingear (see: What to bring).

We meet 10:45 to start hiking at 11 unless otherwise noted. Most hikes are loops, but where the finish is different from the start, we meet at the finish point and squeeze into as few cars as possible and drive to the start point. The maps we use are NY-NJ Trail Conference maps available at most sporting goods stores (like Campmor) and the book store on the P.I.P. between Exit 16 and Anthony Waye Rec Area. If you have questions or special needs, call the hiking chaiman at 845 947-3050 or email him at pensmith@optonline.net.

Everyone is welcome! We recommend that you be in reasonable physical condition and play nice with others. There is no charge for the hike, but if there is an apres-hike party at someone's house, there will likely be a contribution requested and they may require that you notify them in advance so they know how many to buy food for. We welcome newcomers!

Kids are welcome, and kids past 6 or 7 can keep up IF THEY WANT TO, so motivation is really key here. Make sure you have some sweet snacks like M&M's for them, to get their blood sugar up if they start to get tired as well as enough water. Dog owners must obey Harriman Park leash laws (legally: dogs must be on a leash at all times. In fact, if you let your dog off leash, be sure he gets along with other dogs & people. You are responsible for your dog. Be prepared to quickly put him back on leash when we meet other groups along the way).

NOTE: you come at your own risk. There may or may not be trained first-aid people present. If you leave the group and go off on your own, you are responsible for yourself; be aware of this if you have no map and compass or don't know how to use them, and you are not very familiar with the area! Cell phones generally get spotty reception in mountainous places like Harriman Park.

—And, we are looking for people to host apres-hike parties! Hot dogs & hamburgers etc. are just fine and we pass the hat to reimburse the party host. Cheers!

Oct. 4 Lemon Squeezer & Island Pond. Meet 10:45 to hike at 11 at the Rt. 106 Hikers Parking area roughly 1 mile east of it's intersection with Route 17 just north of Tuxedo, NY. For those of you that usually take Rt. 106 west from the Kanawaukee Circle on 7 Lakes Drive, please be aware that the bridge is closed - you can't go that way! You must come in from Rt.17 and go east. We will hike north on the White Bar, Arden-Suirebridge and Appalachian trails to the Lemon Squeezer. We then follow the Appalachian Trail west to a woods road that will take us south and back to our starting point, We will stop at Island Pond on the AT for lunch. Moderate, no killer climbs, about 5 miles. Kids welcome, dogs (owners) must observe Park leash laws. If no one hosts an apres-hike party, we will go to the Mason Jar in Mahwah> —see the pics!—

NOTE THE CHANGE! Oct. 11 Ringwood NOTE THE CHANGE! Maggie Langley has graciouysly invited us to hike with her in Wanaque on this date (before she puts aeway the lawn furniture). She'll do the food (you must let her know by Thursday Oct 8 so she can buy the food for which we will pay) She says that we all need to BYOB because we drink too much! We will be hiking the ridge from Ringwood Botanical Gardens to her house, (5 - 6 hrs). Meet at her house, 57 Scrivani Drive, Wanaque, NJ (you already called - 973-617-0998 ) 10:00, we will need to shuffle cars; its not a loop. Prior experience says this is a great hike and a great get=together afterward!
Check out the great photos!

NOTE THE CHANGE! Oct. 18 Storm King MountainNOTE THE CHANGE! Meet 10 am in the Rt. 9W parking lot on Storm King Mountain between West point & Cornwall. Some steep climbs, but magnificent views. Club members should contact Howie MacArthur (his number & email is in the club roster) by Oct 13 to RSVP for his "members only" party!

Oct. 25 Silvermine — Anthony Wayne Via Black Mountain. Take the Palisades Parkway north past Exit 16 to the Anthony Wayne parking area; we will meet at 10:30 in the North parking area and car-pool to drive to the start at Silvermine recreation area, from there we hike east on the Menominee trail to the Wm Brien Memorial shelter on Goshen Mountain. Then we head east on the Ramapo-Dunderberg/Appalachian trail over Black Mountain. We cross the Palisades Parkway and then head back to the cars. About 5 miles, some strenuous climbs. Kids welcome, dogs (owners) must observe Park leash laws. If no one hosts an apres-hike party, we will go to the Mason Jar in Mahwah. Check out the photos!

Nov. 1 Hook Mountain.  The Bassells will once again guide us on this long-time favorite. Great views of the Hudson Valley from the ridgeline along the Long Path, and from the river's edge as we return north along the river on the bike trail to Rockland Lake. The Bassells will be hosting an apres-hike party, but you MUST CALL BY THE PRIOR THURSDAY so they can get an accurate head count! Moderate, about 6 miles. We'll be hiking in light rain - cancelling in heavy. Meet 10:45 to hike at 11:00; at the trail head on Landing Road, which is about 20 yards east of the Rockland Lake fire house≥ Check it out here. See the pictures!

Nov. 8 Tiorati to Skanatati Via Pine Swamp. From Rt. 17 in Sloatsburg, go north on 7 Lakes Drive, pass Kanawaukee Circle (Rt. 106). About 1/2 mile you will see lakes on either side of the road, the left side lake is lower. Just past the lake is the entrance downhill into Skanatati parking lot. We will meet there 10:30 and carpool north to the Lake Tiorati parking lot. We will hike south on the Ramapo-Dunderberg trail to Times Square (really!) then south on the Dunning trail. passing Pine Swamp Mine and return to the Skanatati parking area via the Long Path. About 5 miles, moderate to strenuous, some climbs. Kids welcome, dogs (owners) must observe Park leash laws. If no one hosts an apres-hike party, we will go to the Mason Jar in Mahwah.

Nov. 15 Iona Island Tour - OR - Doodletown-Dunderberg Hike. THIS JUST IN! Doc Baines has notified me that we have 20 slots fior his Iona Island tour; four are gone alreeady!. Slots are limited, so Email me directly for a reservation. First come, first served! We will meet at 12:30 pm at the corner of the Iona Island entrance road & Rt. 9w.

If you don't/can't do the Tour, we will put a group together to hike up through historic Doodletown and over Dunderberg Mountain. Route, length, and level of difficulty to be decided at the start of the hike. Come vote, come hike! YOU can even be the Hike Leader (a stunning opportunity!)

Nov. 22 Skylands Manor. Beth Talini, who has run this event for a number of years is once again taking us on this holiday tour of scenic Skylands Manor. Bring lunch, bring money for (small) entrance fee. Beth writes:

Skylands Manor will be hosting their Annual Holiday Open House (12 -4 p.m.).
The Manor House is decorated floor-to-ceiling to highlight this year's theme, Celebrating Skylands Manor. It's a totally different look every year, so don't miss this spectacular annual display. Small Fee $. www.njbg.org.

Meet at 10 a.m. at SHEPHERD LAKE parking lot up on hill in Ringwood State Park,
Directions on website below:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/ringwood.html#ring
Moderate loop hike from Shepherd Lake to Skylands Manor. This hike will have bail out for those wishing to cut hike shorter after lunch break.
All welcome. Sorry, no pets permitted. Must wear hiking boots and only heavy rain cancels.

Holiday Open House tour OPTIONAL. Bring CASH $. Small entrance fee. We will take a lunch break at the Carriage House and wait for those that take the tour.

Nov. 29 Claudius Smith's Den. Ramaop's Fugawe Tribe will be on the track of Rockland County horse thief Cladius Smith. Rumor has it that he was hung in Goshen in 1780, but we'll check his hideout to make sure! Elyse will be in command! She will be hosting an after-hike party as well, and she's looking for a few helping hands with a specialproject later. Elyse is a genuine Great Ramapo Person so we will all have a great day! Click here for a map & directions. Meet 10:45 to hike at 11:00.

Dec. 6 Brooklyn Bridge & Chinatown. Season finale, a long-time Ramapo tradition – a "calorie replacement" program. We will meet at the K of C in Ramsey at 10 am to carpool into the city. Tentatively, we will then drive down by South Street Seaport and park at Peck Slip parking. There are some (not me!) who want to go later to see the tree at Rockefeller Center. We will work all of this out

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