Sunday, April 2nd 18th Annual Frog Hike & Osborn Loop Hike Hear the Frogs Ribbiting Performance! A- Moderately Challenging Hike Length: 6.76 miles Maximum Elevation: 935 feet Minimum Elevation: 172 feet Total Ascent: 1176 feet Hike Time: 5-6 hours, depending on weather & conditions. Winter has finally left for the year, and spring is here! Come join the frogs as they thaw out and sing up a storm! Maybe this year the weather will cooperate, and they will sing for us! The hike begins at the junction of Route 9 and Rt. 403 in Garrison. We will pick up the Appalachian Trail and head towards a couple of marshes, where the frogs live. Hikers will take a break and sit quietly on the rocks overlooking the marsh, and will enjoy hearing the frogs serenade. The frogs only do their mating singing for a short period of time, so if we get lucky, we will hear quite a musical performance! The hike will continue up and down rolling hills, over fresh streams, and sections of cliffs with great views of the Hudson River. Because of the rocky, and possibly muddy terrain, hiking boots are a must. You will be guaranteed to have a good workout! A small air mattress, or pad to use while sitting on the rocks listening to the frogs is a good idea. Please remember that this will be peak tick season, and everyone should wear long pants with a light long sleeved shirt. Bug repellant is a necessity. The ticks are nymphs this time of year, and very small, and hard to see sometimes. The loop itself takes over 4 hours to complete, and we will all stop at a scenic location for lunch, plus a break to listen to the frogs. Sunday, April 30th Lasdon Park Flowers, Fountains and Memorials Hike Leader: Peter Meskin H: (914) 245-7693 C: (914) 715-4068 C Easy Hike Length: 4 miles Hike Time: 3 hours with lunch. Rain cancels. You ve seen Lasdon Park on Rte. 35 on your way over to Katonah. It s one of Westchester s newest parks, boasting 234 acres of woodlands, meadows, and formal gardens. We ll explore the Famous and Historic Tree Trail as we stroll over to the lovely and ornately decorated Chinese Friendship Pavilion, given by Westchester s sister city in China. Then we ll explore a short wooded trail, on our way over to the Vietnam Memorial by way of The Trail of Honor.
Sunday, May 7th Cornell Mine Trail The Endless View A Very Steep Inclines Hike Length: 4-5 miles. Hike Time: 5 hours. The trail heads up the mountain by following the stream along a beautiful ridge. The trail goes through a relatively flat area before its begins a rather steep ascent (climbing 670 vertical feet in 0.4 of a mile). When you reach the summit, the views are nothing but spectacular! It almost looks like you are in an airplane flying over the Bear Mountain Bridge! You can also see a great view of Iona Island, Anthony s Nose, and the hills north and west! Bring your camera! Saturday, May 13th Hilltop Hanover Farm Established in 1790 and Still Going Strong! Hike Leader: Peter Meskin H: (914) 245-7693 C: (914) 715-4068 Hike Length: 4-5 miles Hike Time: About 3 hours with lunch. Rain cancels. The 187-acre Hanover Farm has about four miles of marked trails, plus the farm itself. Hanover Farm was originally owned by the Underhill family, and then by the owner of the Eagle Pencil Company. Today it is a demonstration farm and an Environmental Center. During the harvest season, they run a farm stand. On Saturdays, you can pick (and pay for) your own produce. They also offer many classes and special events for both children and adults. The trails are moderate and pleasant with some ups and downs. Everything visually about the farm is quite picturesque and idyllic as you drive by just south of Yorktown Heights Center on Hanover St. Heading north, sunsets have an especially dramatic setting behind the barns.
Sunday, June 18th (Father s Day) Castle Rock Loop Sandwiched between the Castle and Sugarloaf Mountain Hike Length: 4-5 miles. Hike Time: 4-5 hours depending on weather & conditions. The trail covers part of the Osbourn Loop trail, but begins close to the Hudson River off of Rt. 9D, just north of the Castle. The trail winds up through the hills up to the ridge above the Hudson River. From this direction, you will have a really nice view of West Point. We will stop at the Gazebo for a snack, and then have lunch at the rock overlook, with a wide view of the Hudson River. This is the spot where we make a brief stop at the end of the Osborn Loop Trail. We will then loop down the Appalachian Trail and back to the cars. Saturday, June 24th Annual Gourmet Hike to Innisfree Gardens A Club Fit Hiking Club Tradition Hike Leader: Peter Meskin H: (914) 245-7693 C: (914) 715-4068 150 acres of ancient Chinese Cup Garden landscape design reinterpreted to create a unique American Garden C Easy Entrance Fee: $8.00/person Hike Length: About 1.5 miles Hike Time: 3-4 hours with gourmet lunch Driving Time to Innisfree is about 45 minutes. Rain cancels. Bring a lunch item to share with 2-3 people. Innisfree is a 150-acre private garden in which the ancient art of Chinese landscape design has been reinterpreted to create a unique American garden. At Innisfree, visitors stroll from one three-dimensional picture to another. Streams, waterfalls, terraces, retaining walls, rocks and plants are used not only to define areas, but also establishes tension or motion. The 40-acre lake is glacial, most of the plant material is native, and the rocks have come from the immediate forest. There are picnic tables on a little hill overlooking the idyllic lake and property. We will return to the cars before our gourmet repast, so you do not have to carry anything on the hike, other than water.
Postponed to a later date TBA Sunday, July 9th Muscoot Farm Pigs, Ducks and Geese Better Scurry! A Wonderful Place to Visit Whether You re 7 or 70 Hike Length: 5 miles Hike Time: 3 hours Rain cancels. Hike Leader: Peter Meskin H: (914) 245-7693 C: (914) 715-4068 Muscoot Farm is a delightful place with farm animals, seasonal activities and a wonderfully maintained series of well-marked trails. As we hike through parts of the 777-acre farm, we can see history written in the landscape: old stone walls, large trees, stone culverts and the results of many years of plowing in the same direction. While there are no mountains here, there are many small hills that we ll be walking up and down throughout the day. (This is a bit more strenuous than a stroll around Teatown Lake). After the first, steady uphill, you ll be rewarded with overlooks of the Croton Reservoir. Sunday, July 16th Hudson Highlands History Hike in the Garrison School Forest Where the Past Meets the Present Hike Length: 3-4 miles. Hike Time: 4 hours. This is a good hike for children as they can learn about the history of the area! The Garrison School Forest area contains the ruins of two Revolutionary War Forts, North & South Redoubt. George Washington was at this area when Benedict Arnold received the news of Major André s capture. The fort was used to protect West Point, and secure the river. You can see quite a bit of the remnants on this hike! If it s hot out, freeze and bring some water bottles for a cool treat!
Sunday, September 3rd Doodletown Explore the Lost Town From the Past Hike Length: 5.5 miles. Hike Time: 4-5 hours. Doodletown was first settled in 1762. The area was inhabited by miners from the local mines, including the Cornell mine, and workers from Iona Island. The area was a hotbed of activity and battles during the Revolutionary War. The population reached its height in the 1920 s, when there were at least 70 residences, a school, and other essential establishments. In the early 1960 s, the area lost its appeal. In the mid 1960 s, the area was turned into part of Bear Mountain State Park. It s an interesting place to visit! Some of the trails date back to the 1700 s. with a Teatown Naturalist! Saturday, September 9th Twin Lakes Trail Explore Two Lakes at Teatown Lake Reservation Hike Length: 2.3 miles Hike Time: 3 hours with lunch Rain cancels. Come and enjoy! Comfortable boots a must! Hike Leader: Michael Capsuto A short 2.3 mile loop trail connecting two scenic lakes, Vernay and Shadow. This moderately strenuous trail travels up and down hills past old farm fields and beautiful stone walls.
Sunday, September 17th Mt. Taurus A Bird s Eye View Beyond Belief A Steep Inclines - Difficult Hike Length: 5 miles. Hike Time: 5 hours. Just south of Beacon Mountain and Breakneck is Mt. Taurus. The hike starts in the town of Nelsonville. The hike begins at the base of the mountain inland, and as you go up, you see the Hudson River and the mountains on the far side of the river peek into view. After nearly two hours of hiking, we will reach the summit. There we will find breathtaking views of the Hudson River Valley looking north, and excellent views of the Hudson below. There are some steep parts of the hike, but no rock climbing. Hiking boots are very important for this hike. Please bring plenty of water, and a nice lunch to enjoy on the summit. Saturday, October 14th Sylvan Glen A 200-acre Former Quarry, Right Here in Yorktown! Hike Length: 5 miles Hike Time: About 3 hours with lunch Rain cancels. Did you know that right here in Yorktown we have the second largest municipal park in Westchester? Sylvan Glen opened in October of 1999, and is a 200-acre former rock quarry turned hikers paradise. Mohegan Golden Granite from Sylvan Glen Park Preserve was used in many famous buildings and bridges throughout NYC, White Plains and Washington, D.C. There are currently four marked trails, with others planned for the future. The quarry itself, with its cut stones and abandoned equipment, are all waiting for you to discover. Expect some hills. One of Yorktown s best-kept secrets! Hike Leader: Michael Capsuto H: (914) 528-9110 C: (914) 523-4958
Sunday, October 22nd Hubbard Perkins Trail in Fahnestock Park Pristine Paths To Seclusion A Moderate with Hills Hike Length: 6 miles. Hike Time: 5 hours depending on weather & conditions. Meeting Place: 10am at Hubbard Perkins Lodge on Rt. 9 (just north of Rt. 301). Come out and enjoy the fresh summer air! The hike runs along the valley following a stream up the hills. Depending on the weather and trail conditions, we will enjoy the series of trails that loop through the hills. We can take the Blue Trail, which features 4 mountain summits, all with views from a different direction! The area is full of many great spots to take in, and we will stop for a quick lunch along the way. If the weather is hot, we may decide to have lunch by a lake hidden deep in the woods. with a Teatown Naturalist! Saturday, November 4th Teatown Lake Reservation 1,000-Acres of Superbly Managed Nature Preserve Hike Length: 5 miles Hike Time: 4 hours with lunch Rain cancels. Treat yourself by discovering this lovely, well-cared for, private, nature preserve that traces its name back to the American Revolution. Stroll around the lake and ramble through the woods at a relaxed pace. Newcomers will discover a small zoo for disabled animals, a maple sugaring house, a turtlequarium, reptiles, ferrets and much more. This is a good hike for children, beginners and anyone who enjoys an unhurried day in the woods. Bring the family! This is one of our Westchester gems! Hike Leader: Michael Capsuto H: (914) 528-9110 C: (914) 523-4958
Sunday, November 12th Fahnstock Park Appalachian Trail by Route 301 Lunch by Pink Floyd Pond Hike Length: 4-5 miles. Hike Time: 4.5 hours. This hike features rolling hills, and streams. The loop is on the Appalachian Trail for about half of the hike. We will all break for lunch at a lake, that looks like the photo on a famous Pink Floyd album. Hopefully the leaves will be colorful in the valleys and hills! Sunday, December 3rd Sprout Brook Park B + Lots of Rocky Hills Hike Length: Approx. 5 miles. Hike Time: 4.5 hours depending on weather & conditions. This hike runs along a ridge by the ball fields on Sprout Brook Road, and Rt. 9. We will be hiking three trails that run along the ridge. The trail goes up and down quite a bit, so hikers will get quite a workout! There are several excellent views of the Hudson River, and the Peekskill and Indian Point areas.