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Member Club of New York - New Jersey Trail Conference
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Saturday 10/5/2024 - Bearfort Mt, Surprise Lake to Prospect Rock Hike / Level B & C Hewitt, NJ The Bearfort Mountain Ridge is famous for its reddish bedrocks, pitch pines and rocky outcrop lookouts. From the Highlands Preserve Parking, take the unmarked trail up to the Bearfort Ridge (green) trail. Follow the trail to Surprise Lake then follow the blue and AT trails to Prospect Rock and the Grand View lookout points. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Greenwood Lake. Return by the yellow trail for the view of the West pond. Continue on the West Ridge (pink) trail or the green trail back to the parking lot Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Homer Hsieh/Jessica Liu Saturday 10/5/2024 - Wildcat Mountain - Indian Hill Loop, 9 & 13 miles / levels B & C Sterling Forest + Harriman State Park, NY The Wildcat Mountain and the Indian Hill offer many south-facing scenic views of the Ramapo Valley, Sterling Forest and Harriman State Park. The hilltop are dotted with scattered large rocks left behind from the glacial period. The loop trail starts from the parking lot at Route 17A. Follow the Wildcat Mountain (WC) and Indian Hill (IH) trails to the Appalachian Trail (AT white). Turn right on AT and enter Harriman State Park. Take the service road near Elk Pen to Valley of Boulder to White Bar. Crossing route 106 to Parker Cabin Hollow (O) and through Route 106 again to the parking lot. A shorter version is to follow the WC trail to Indian Hill. Hike a complete loop on Indian Hill and retrace on the WC trail back to the parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at trail head Leaders: Lucy Yu/Iris Liu Saturday 10/5/2024 - (10/5-10/7) Farm family camping and fruit harvest Chestnut Hill Vineyard, Rhode Island 2-3 days camping to experience modern farm living. Feed and pet the friendly pigs, goats and sheep. Harvest and take home winter squash, pawpaw fruits and vegetables. Take a walk at Newport Cliff and enjoy the autumn scenery. Camping 10/5 -10/6 and option to stay on 10/7. Bring your own sleeping bag, sleeping pad and cooking utensils. Option to sleep in the farm shelter or bring your own tent. Camping fee $50 includes site rental, 2 dinners, 1 lunch and 1 breakfast. Free for children under 12 years old. Space is limited and please register before 9/26. Meeting Time/Place: Contact leader for details Leaders: Li Kunin Saturday 10/12/2024 - 10/11 Fri - 10/14 Mon (4 days 3 nights) Camping + Hiking + Knowledge sharing Phoenicia Black Bear Campground in Catskill, NY Long weekend getaway - campsite is available on 10/11 Friday too. The trip is limited to 25 trip leaders or anyone interested in outdoor knowledge. We will have a day hike (Kaaterskill falls, section of the Devil's path, and Overlook Mountain) and knowledge sharing session (map skill, navigation, equipment, backpacking, teamwork...) each day. Bring your own camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, cooking utensil, etc.) or backpacking gear (if you have). Campsite provides flush toilet/hot shower. Register before 9/30. Fee: $80 (covers campsite/3 breakfasts/3 lunches/2 dinners). Leaders reserve the right to screen members. Meeting Time/Place: to be announced Leaders: Tony Shu/Bon Chiu/Chwen (Jun) Best/Iris Liu Saturday 10/12/2024 - Elk Pen/ Time Square Hike, 8 - 10 mile, Levels B&C Harriman State Park, NY From Elk Pen Parking lot , take the Arden-Surbridge trail up to the viewpoint at Green Pond Mountain. Switch to a service road to visit Boston Mine. Then follow the Dunning trail and R-D (red) trail to Ship Rock, Hogencamp Mountain and Times Square. Change to A-SB trail to visit the famous rock formation of Lemon Squeezer. Follow the Appalachian Trail to the tranquil Island Pond and return to Elk Pen. Fast paced hikers can extend the route to Valley of Boulders. Continue to R-D (red) trail to hike along the ridge of Black Rock Mountain to Time Square. *Limit to 20 People and No Carpool Arrangement Meeting Time/Place: Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Kwok-Chi Ng/Diana Lu Saturday 10/12/2024 - (10/12 - 10/14) Camping-Biking Tour Dutchess Rail Trail at Lake Taghkanic State Taghkanic State Park, New York The campground sits next to the pretty Lake Taghkanic and a perfect place to relax after a day's biking. The nearby Dutchess Rail Trail is a 40-mile paved-over retired railroad with many scenic views. It’s relatively flat & easy with no vehicular traffic. It ends with the famous footbridge walking over Hudson River to Catskill. Day 2: Bike the more difficult Rhinebeck Loop on country road with hilly sections to visit the old towns and farms. You can bike or hike to visit the historic sites: 1. Mills Mansion, 2. FDR National Historic Site, 3. Vanderbilt Mansion, 4.The Culinary Institute of American etc.Camping Fee: $25/person; Share cost on (10/12)BBQ Dinner & meals. Register before (9/30) Meeting Time/Place: Contact leaders for details Leaders: Ben Lee/Kenny Lip Sunday 10/13/2024 - Silvermine Lake - Black Mtn - Queensboro Lake fall foliage hike / Level B & C Harriman State Park North, NY Starting from Silvermine lake, walk along the North-East shore to go up Black Mountain for the view of the surrounding mountains and New York skyline. Descend the mountain on the 1779 Trail passing through forest with variety of fall foliage colors. Continue hiking to Queensboro Lake and Turkey Hill Lake to see different foliage colors. Hike on the Long Path along the Stockbridge Mountain ridge to the shelter for the western view of the mountains. Descend to Lake Nawahunta and back to the Silvermine Lake parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Chung Leung Saturday 10/19/2024 - Storm King Mt to Pitching Point Loop Hike / Level B & C Cornwall, NY From the Route 9W (North) trailhead parking lot, ascend Storm King Mt. on the Butter Hill Trail (orange). Then follow the yellow Stillman Trail through many scenic viewpoints overlooking the Hudson River. Change to the blue Howell Trail to loop around North Point with a view that looks like a Scandinavian fjord. Return via Pitching Point with more viewpoints. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trail head Leaders: Nancy Liang/Davy Mak/Lian Jiang Saturday 10/19/2024 - Minnewaska State Park Hike / Level A & C Minnewaska State Park, NY Minnewaska State Park Preserve is situated on the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain ridge, which rises more than 2,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by rugged terrain. The hike takes you around Lake Minnewaska and the Awosting Falls. Walk along the carriage road to the sheer cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful views. Hikers choose to hike the Castle Point Loop or the Gertrude's Nose Loop.*No Carpool Arrangement* Meeting Time/Place: Meeting Time/Place: 9:00 AM at the Trailhead parking lot Leaders: XiaoJing Wei/Wei Chen/Jianming Wang/Chung Leung Sunday 10/20/2024 - Anthony's Nose Hike / Level A & C Bear Mt State Park, NY Anthony's Nose is a mountain peak on the eastern side cliff of the Hudson River. Anthony’s Nose Hike, option hike to Bear Mountain. Start from Route 202 offsite Parking Lot, visit Bronze Elk Statue, then cross the Bear Mountain Bridge. Continue up to the Anthony’s Nose via AT and blue trails. This is the best time and place to see the fall foliage scenery. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the Trailhead parking lot (Route 202 offsite parking) Leaders: Jennifer Chen/Chung Leung Saturday 10/26/2024 - Bull Hill & Breakneck Mountain hike/ Levels B&C Hudson Highlands State Park, NY Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus) is located next to the famous Breakneck Ridge in the Hudson Highlands. Hiking up Bull Hill offers sweeping views of the Hudson River and neighboring peaks from rock outcrops but without the rock scramble like Breakneck. Descend from the summit of Bull Hill. Cross over to the northern section of the Breakneck Ridge by the Notch trail for more views. Finish the hike by walking downhill on the Cornish trail along the Breakneck Brook. *No Carpool Arrangement Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at the Washburn Trailhead Leaders: Chwen (Jun) Best/Sharon Yen Saturday 10/26/2024 - West Mountain Range 10+ miles Hike / Level B/C Bear Mountain State Park, NY Starting at the Anthony Wayne Parking Area, follow the White trail, then the FAWN (red) trail and then the Timp-Torne (blue) trail to meet the AT trail at West Mountain. Enjoy all the lookout points along the ridge. After the West Mountain Shelter, continue to The Timp and back to Red Cross trail, follow Yellow S-BM (Y)trail,return to Parking by R-D. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at Anthony Wayne Parking Leaders: Iris Liu/Vincent Yu Sunday 10/27/2024 - Sterling Lake-Fire Tower-Bare Rock Loop, 6 - 9 miles, Levels B & C Sterling Forest State Park, NY Starting from the Lautenberg Visitor Center, tour the Lakeville Ironwork Furnace. Walk along the south shore of Sterling Lake to the Fire Tower trailhead. Hike along the Sterling Ridge to the Fire Tower and enjoy the scenery of the Lake and the surrounding mountains. From the Fire Tower, walk through the swamp to visit the Bare Rock lookout point for an expansive view of Greenwood Lake. Retrace the (orange) trail and continue to the north of Sterling Ridge. Descend the hill and go along the Sterling Lake to return to the Visitor Center. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at trailhead Leaders: Jennifer Chen/Jianming Wang/Chung Leung Saturday 11/2/2024 - Norvin Green/ Weis Nature Center 6 - 9 Mile Hikes, Levels B & C Norvin Green State Forest, NJ From Weis Center, go up Ball Mtn. to the Vista point. Come downhill to Roomy Mine and view the cascades along the Blue Mine Brook. Continue on the Highland Trail to visit High Point which is famous for its rock ledges, pitch pines and panoramic view. Branch off to visit the lookout points at Carris Hill. Return to Weis Center by the service road. Avid hikers can extend the hike to the trails on Buck Mtn. *No Carpool Arrangement Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at New Weis Center Parking Lot Leaders: Nancy Liang/Mei Lu Saturday 11/2/2024 - Stony Brook & Diamond Mountain 8-10 miles/ Level C Harriman State Park, N Y The Stony Brook is a river with many pretty cascades. Starting from Reeves Visitor Center, take Pine Meadow Trail and cross the river at the Cascade of Slid to reach the Stony Brook (Y) trail. Go to the end and continue with TMI & Seven Hill (B) to Lake Wanoksink & Pine Meadow for the lake scenery. After the break, taking Yellow trail to Diamond Mtn. for panoramic view. Coming down on the Seven Hill (B) trail and continue on to the Pine Meadow (R) Trail back to parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at Reeves Visitor Center (Seven Lake Drive) Leaders: Amy Tien/Lian Jiang Sunday 11/3/2024 - Horse Pond Mountain and Monksville Reservoir Hike, 8 & 10 miles / Level B & C Long Pond Ironworks State Park, NJ The Monksville Reservoir was built in 1987 by damming on the Wanaque River in West Milford, NJ. The hike starts at the South Boat Launch parking area. Follow the Monks Trail to Monks Mountain for a southern view of the reservoir. Go around the northern bay of the reservoir to visit the remains of the Long Pond Furnaces. Change to the Highland Trail to go up Horse Pond Mountain. At the summit, the full view of the horse shoe shaped reservoir can be seen. Descend from the summit and walk on the Monksville Dam to return to the parking. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM Trailhead Parking Leaders: Jennifer Chen/Chung Leung Saturday 11/9/2024 - Elk Pen - Through AT RD and Nurian to Valley of Boulder-9 mile Level C Harriman State Park, NY From Elk Pen Parking lot, take AT (white) to Lemon Squeeze. stay on AT and change to the Long Path south, A-SB and Lichen. Continue from Lichen to Ramapo-Dunderberg RD (red) hike to the Nurian White. Then follow Nurian (white) passing Valley of Boulder to Stahahe Brook red stripe trail (red). Continue to Arden Surebridge red triangle (red) to AT and back to Elk Pen Parking. *No Carpool Arrangement Meeting Time/Place: 8:30AM at Trailhead Leaders: Vincent Yu/Danielle Liang Saturday 11/9/2024 - Schunemunk Mountain 7 & 9 Mile Hike/ Levels B & C Schunemunk Mountain State Park, NY The trail over Schunemunk Mountain offers a series of fine lookouts and a varied terrain. The Storm King Art Center can be seen from the ridge. Enjoy the special vegetation and rock formations on the ridges. The Megaliths is a must visit lunch spot. Expect some steep up hills and descents. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Nancy Liang/Davy Mak/Lian Jiang Sunday 11/10/2024 - Lake Awosting - Wolf's Jaw - Waterfalls Minnewaska Scenic Hike Minnewaska State Park, NY Starting from the lower parking lot, visit the landmark Awosting Falls. Hike around Lake Minnewaska to its southern end. Follow the Hamilton carriage way to view the fall foliage scenery of the Palmaghatt Valley and to reach the rock ledges of Hamilton Point and Castle Point. Descend from the cliffs and hike along the Scenic Trail (violet) to visit the rock formations of Margaret Cliff, Wolf's Jaw and Tunnel. Continue to Lake Awosting, Rainbow falls and follow the Mossy Glen (yellow) trail along Peter's Kill back to the parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:45 AM Lower Parking Lot, Minnewaska State Park Leaders: Chung Leung/Jennifer Chen Saturday 11/16/2024 - Fingerboard - Stockbridge - Goshen Mountains Loop 8-12 Mile Hike / Levels B&C Harriman State Park, N Y Starting from the Lake Tiorati Trail (triple B) to the crest of Fingerboard to connect AT southbound, then change to Long Path (north B) near Dismal Swamp. Continue LP to Stockbridge Shelter and change to Menomine Trail (Y), passing Silvermine Lake to Brien Memorial Shelter. After shelter change to RD passing Goshen Mt to return to parking. Meeting Time/Place: Recommended 8:30 AM at the trail head Leaders: Iris Liu/Lucy Yu Saturday 11/16/2024 - Silvermine Lake/ Stockbridge Mountain Hike / Level B & C Harriman State Park, NY Starting from the Silvermine Lake picnic area, follow the yellow trail to the Brien Memorial Shelter.Then change to RD. Cross over to the Long Path near Lake Tiorati. Follow the Long Path to visit the Hippo Rock and the Cave shelter. Return by the Yellow Menomine trail back to Silvermine Lake Picnic area. *No Carpool Arrangement Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: HY Lee/YuShan Li Sunday 11/17/2024 - Mount Defiance - 4 ponds to Shepard Lake Hike / Level B & C Ringwood State Park, NJ From the parking lot C, visit the Swan Pond then go up Mount Defiance for the gorgeous views of the Ringwood valley and surrounding mountains. Walk along the mountain ridge and descend to Gatun Pond. Follow the pink trail to visit the pretty Weyble Pond and Glasmere Ponds. Walk on the service road or go over the mountain to Shepherd Lake which has many beautiful views. Take the bike path to pass through the Botanical Garden to return to the parking lot. Avid hikers can extend the hike to go up Cupsaw mountain to the shelter. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Chung Leung/Jennifer Chen Saturday 11/23/2024 - Three Reservoirs / TMI Loop Hike, 6 - 8 Miles / Levels B&C Harriman State Park, NY Starting at parking lot off Rte 106, at the foothill of the Jackie Jones Mountain, follow the S-BM (yellow) trail for about half a mile. Then turn left to the unmarked road to visit the three reservoirs. Follow the unmarked trail to TMI. Then catch the Breakneck Mtn trail and the S-BM trail back to the parking lot. C Level hikers may hike on the unmarked Woodtown Road to reach TMI, turn right to reach (W) and turn right on (W) --> S-BM back to the parking area. **No Carpool Arrangement Meeting Time/Place: Meeting Time/Place: 8:30AM at Trailhead Leaders: Jessica Liu/MeiSheng Liu Saturday 11/23/2024 - Beacon Mountain and Fishkill Ridge Fall Foliage Hike / Level C-D Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, NY Beacon Mountain is a popular spot for a fall foliage hike. The lookout points on the trails offer incredible panoramic views of the Town of Beacon, the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, the Hudson River and the neighboring mountain ridges. The hike starts from the parking lot of the Mount Beacon Incline Railway which was built for the now ruined Casino Resort in the mountain and was the steepest railway in the world during its operation. Visit the ruins of the Incline Railway and Fire Tower. Continue to hike to the scofield Ridge, Fishkill Ridge, Lamb Hill and downhill to the parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Chwen (Jun) Best/Sharon Yen Saturday 11/30/2024 - Pyramid Mountain & Reservoirs, 7-10 miles / Levels B&C Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, NJ This is a natural preserve in the heart of the suburban Morris County, NJ. About 18,000 years ago, the Wisconsin Glacier deposited a number of extraordinary boulders and created beautiful landscapes with numerous swamps and streams in the area. Those in turn, help nourish the amazing array of wildflowers, birds and wild animals in this densely forested park. The area contains a maze of trails with many hidden viewpoints like the Tripod Rock, Bear Rock and to just naming a few. Therefore follow the trip leader and take your time to visit these interesting places. For faster hikers, they can extend the hike to Turkey Mountain and visit the reservoirs. *No Carpool Arrangement Meeting Time/Place: 8:30AM at PMNHA Visiting Center, Kinnelon, NJ Leaders: XiaoJing Wei/Jimmy Xing Saturday 11/30/2024 - Deep Hollow - Lake Skenonto Loop; 10 Miles Hike / Level B & C Harriman State Park, NY Starting from Tuxedo train Parking lot, take RD trail for 0.2 mile then turn to yellow triangle trail until cross RD trail again nearby Parker Cabin Mt. Change to Victory Blue, passing Lake Skenonto and change back to RD at Tri Trail Corner. Taking RD all way back to Tuxedo Train Station. $3/car parking fee required at Tuxedo train station. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM Tuxedo Train Station Parking Lot. (Parking fee required) Leaders: Rosa Melgar/HY Lee Saturday 12/7/2024 - Dunderberg Mountain 7 & 11 miles Day Hike / Levels B & C Bear Mountain State Park Start from the parking lot at 9W/202, follow the blue trail to trace the route of the Railway. Continue to the Timp. Change to the red R-D Trail to Bald Mountain and Cornell Mine. Follow the R-D trail to the viewpoint on top of Jones Point. There is the view of Indian Point Power Plant across the Hudson River. Come down on a steep grade to the parking. The longer route: from the Timp, take Timp-Torne Trail (blue), pass West Mountain, turn left on S-BM trail (yellow), then turn left on R-D (red), then join the shorter route. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at trail head Leaders: HY Lee/MeiSheng Liu Saturday 12/7/2024 - Otter Hole to Ball Mountain Loop Hike, 6 - 9 Mile / Levels B & C Norvin Green State Forest, NJ Start from the Otter Hole trailhead. Follow the blue, then white trails to Chikahoki Falls. Climb up Carris Hill to Yoo-Hoo Point. Yell Yoo-Hoo so people at High Point can hear you. Continue on the blue trail to connect to the Otter Hole (green) trail back to the trailhead. Visit all the viewpoints along the way. *No Carpool Arrangement Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Vincent Yu/Sharon Yen Saturday 12/14/2024 - Hasenclever Mine Loop 9-12 Miles / Level B & C Harriman State Park N Y Staring from Lake Askoti Parking taking ASB red trail and change to Red Cross passing Hasenclever Mt to parking lot by Lake Tiorati. Changing to Beech Trail (B) passing Nat House Mt, Civil War period cemetery until end at Long Path. Taking LP return to Askoti parking. For the longer hike: from parking lot take Long Path to Time Square, and change ASB toward Askoti Lake to Red Cross Trail to continue to Hasenclever Loop. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at Askoti Lake Parking Lot Leaders: Chwen (Jun) Best/Carina Li/John Li Saturday 12/14/2024 - Stonetown Circular & option for Cookout lunch, 7-11 Miles Day Hike / Level C Norvin Green State Forest, NJ Starting from the trailhead parking lot on West Brook road, take the Highlands Trail north, then Stonetown Circular trail (red triangle), pass Windbeam Mt., Bear Mt. and Board Mt. and cross Stonetown road. After Harrison Mt, stay on Highland Trail (white), pass Horse Pond Mt, turn left to Burnt Meadow (Green), then turn to Tarawingo (Blue), then turn left when meet Lake Sonoma (Orange). Chang to Stonetown Circular trail (Red triangle) to pass Tory Rocks, to return to parking lot. For lunch, you can bring your own stove and food to cook a hot lunch. If you prefer to cook, please indicate on your registration, the leader can provide advice and help on outdoor cooking. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM Stonetown Rec. Complex parking lot Leaders: Iris Liu/Kwok-Chi Ng Sunday 12/15/2024 - Bearfort Mt, Surprise Lake to Prospect Rock Hike / Level B & C Hewitt, NJ The Bearfort Mountain Ridge is famous for its reddish bedrocks, pitch pines and rocky outcrop lookouts. From the Highlands Preserve Parking, take the unmarked trail up to the Bearfort Ridge (green) trail. Follow the trail to Surprise Lake then follow the blue and AT trails to Prospect Rock and the Grand View lookout points. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Greenwood Lake. Return by the yellow trail for the view of the West pond. Continue on the West Ridge (pink) trail or the green trail back to the parking lot Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Jennifer Chen/Jianming Wang Saturday 12/21/2024 - Appalachian Trail (AT) section Loop hike, 12+ Miles / Level D Bear Mountain State Park, NY Going eastwards from Elk Pen, the Appalachian Trail (AT) passes through Green Pond Mountain, Fingerboard Mountain, Black Mountain and into West Mountain. There are gorgeous views on the mountains. Hikers aim to hike through this section of the AT as much as time permits, then find the quickest way to return to Elk Pen. Daylight is short and good time management is required. Experience hikers only. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at trailhead Leaders: Frank Song/Jianming Wang Saturday 12/21/2024 - Three Reservoirs to Breakneck Pond Hike / Level B & C Harriman State Park, NY The hike explores the reservoirs and lakes in the valley surrounded by the Cranberry Mtn, Ladentown Mtn and Jackie Jones. The hike will be on a relaxed pace to enjoy the scenery and the cool breeze on the lakes and reservoirs. Starting at parking lot off Rte 106, visit the Orak Ruin. Then follow the service road to visit the reservoirs. Climb over the Breakneck Ridge to hike down to the Breakneck Pond. After lunch, visit Big Hill shelter and the fire tower. Then follow the paved road back to the parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the Trailhead Leaders: MeiSheng Liu/Steve Huang Sunday 12/22/2024 - Silvermine Lake to the old mines, Cranberry, Lewis and Bradley exploartion Hike Harriman State Park North, NY Many of the old abandoned iron mines in Harriman State Park had turned into beautiful caves. The exploration hike starts from Silvermine Lake and follows unmarked trails to visit Cranberry Mine. Retrace on the path to meet the Antony Wayne (white) trail to go north to the beautiful Turkey Hill Lake. Connect to the Long Path trail to go south to meet the Lake Nawahunta fire road to visit the Lewis Mine. Go up the Menomine (yellow) trail to Stockbridge Mountain Range. Follow the Long Path to Arden Valley Road to visit the Bradley Mine. Return on the road to go downhill to Lake Tiorati. Find a shortest route back to Silvermine Lake Parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the Silvermine Lake Parking Lot Leaders: Jennifer Chen/Chung Leung Saturday 12/28/2024 - Kakiat Mtn - Pine Meadow Lake Hike, 7 - 10 mile, Levels C & D Harriman State Park, NY From Kakiat Park, take the Mountain Trail (Orange) - steep and rocky - which ascends the escarpment to a panoramic viewpoint where the Manhattan skyline is visible. Continue on Kakiat Trail (White), then followed by Suffern-Bear Mt. Trail (Yellow), Cronklins Crossing (White) and Pine Meadow Trail (Red) to the lakeside lunch spot. After lunch, either take the service road (Torne Valley Road) or Raccoon Brook Hills (Black-on-White) to connect to Kakiat Trail (White). Turn left onto Kakiat Trail and hike back to the parking lot. *No carpool arrangements. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at Kakiat County Park parking lot Leaders: Cherry Lau/Shui-Kei Ng Saturday 12/28/2024 - Johnsontown Circle to Lake Skenonto winter Hike / Levels B & C Harriman State Park, NY From JTC, follow Blue Disc Trail to climb up Dater Mtn. Visit the curtain of icicles hanging from the cliff at Elbow Brush. Climb up Claudius Smith Den to enjoy the winter view of Blauvelt Mountain. Continue on Blue Disc trail, then take the Victory Trail to the frozen Lake Skenonto. After lunch, go along the bank of Lake Sebago to the Triangle (Yellow)Trail. Follow the Triangle and then the White Bar Trails back to JCT. *Limit to 20 People and No Carpool Arrangement Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: XiaoJing Wei/Lucy Yu Sunday 12/29/2024 - Lake Sebago -- Diamond Mountain -- Breakneck Pond Winter hike, Level B & C Harriman State Park South, NY From Lake Sebago, hike up to Dimond Mountain for pretty snow sceneries on the mountain. Descend to Pine Meadow Lake to walk along the north shore. Follow the woods road to the pretty Lake Wanoksink. Take the service road to go up to the Breakneck Mountain Trail (white). There are nice rock formations along the trail. Climb down to Breakneck Pond to visit the AMC campground. Follow the service Road and walk leisurely back to Lake Sabego parking. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Jennifer Chen Saturday 1/4/2025 - New Year Inspiration Hike, Explore the Silver Mine & Cookout Harriman State Park, NY Looking forward to the year 2025. Starting from the parking, hike along the north shore of Silvermine Lake and then up the Black Mtn. Enjoy the expansive views at the lookout points. Hike through the stream and swamps to Brien Shelter. Return to the parking along the western shore of the Lake. Cookout picnic at the pavilion. If interested, bring a snow board to slide down the old ski slope behind the pavilion. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon around Silvermine Lake and Lake Nawahunta. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM Silvermine Lake Parking lot Leaders: Nancy Liang/Kwok-Chi Ng/Diana Lu Saturday 1/4/2025 - Silvermine Lake/ Stockbridge Mt/ Surebridge Loop/ AT / 12-14 miles Level C/D Harriman State Park, NY Starting from the Silvermine Lake picnic area, follow the yellow trail, change to Long Path nearby Stockbridge Shelter. Follow Long Path until cross AT (W), Switch to AT, crossing Seven Lake Drive and take the unmark woods road to Yellow. Return by the Yellow Menomine trail back to Silvermine Lake Picnic area. *The goal of the hike is to help participants successfully complete an 8-hours journey. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at the trailhead Leaders: HY Lee/Iris Liu Saturday 1/11/2025 - Bear Mountain Hike, 9 miles Level C Bear Mountain State Park From the Bear mountain State Park offsite parking lot, take the R trail along Hessian Lake to Major Welch hike up 1100 ft elevation to Perkin Tower at top of Bear Mt. There are views of the surrounding mountains, the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline. After a break at the Tower, following the AT trail downhill to pass the Seven Lake Drive, turn to trail 1777, Timp-Torne (B) then change to AT(W) & 1777 to Yellow trail to Lake Hessian to return to parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at Bear Mountain State Park offsite Parking Leaders: Iris Liu/Frank Song Saturday 1/11/2025 - Ringwood SP - Mt.Defiance - Five Pond/ levels B&C Ringwood State Park, NJ Start from Ringwood State Parking lot - 1st visiting Swan Pond then hike to Mt. Defiance, follow the Pink trail to reach Brushwood Pond, Gatun Pond, Weyble Pond, Glasmere Pond. Walk down through the secret place of NJ Botanical garden, with New Year's decoration. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: MeiSheng Liu/Sharon Yan Sunday 1/12/2025 - Doris Duke & Appalachian Trail Hike / Levels B & C Sterling Forest State Park, NY The hike traverses the Doris Duke Wildlife Sanctuary, the Sterling Mountain and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail(AT) in the north. There are fascinating rock formations and magnificent vistas on rock ledges. The hike starts with the Doris Duke Trail going up the mountain. Follow the trail along the transmission line to connect to the AT trail to visit the Fitzerald Falls and see the many viewpoints along the mountain ridge. Descend to the valley and pass the Beaver Swamp back to the trailhead. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at Doris Duke Trailhead Parking Lot Leaders: Jennifer Chen Saturday 1/18/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training Enrollment session, 10-18 miles Harriman State Park, NY Enrollment to a 3 months long distance hike training program. The training prepares hikers to hike on long & difficult trails to explore unfamiliar territories. Hikers help each other to achieve their goals. The hikers are required to hike at least 8 hours for each session. They monitor their progress to build up their strength and improve on the hiking skills. The training program ends with the Gin's Challenge Endurance Hike in April. New enrollment will be limited once the training has begun. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Chung Leung/Iris Liu Saturday 1/18/2025 - Igenstein Mt - Ringwood SP - Hawk Rock Loop hike (12 - 14 miles level D) Ramapo Valley County Reservation, NJ Ringwood State Park - Mt. Defiance and Hawk Rock loop Take Schuber trail (orange) and pass MacMillan Reservoir, turn right to Red-Silver trail to Bear Swamp lake, turn left on Shore Trail (blue), then Cannonball trail (red) and Crossover trail (white), pass Ilgenstein Rock and Butler Mine, turn right on Five Ponds Connector (pibk) to Halifax trail (green), pass Halifax Ruins and Hawk Rock, switch to Silver trail and parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Cherry Lau/Homer Hsieh Saturday 1/18/2025 - Reeves Brook -- Cobus Mountain -- Pine Meadow Lake Hike / Level B & C Harriman State Park South, NY Winter hike to view the snow scenery on the Mountains and lakes. From the 7 Lakes Drive Visitor Center, take the (white) trail along Reeves Brook to Raccoon Brook Hills. Change to the Kakiat trail to hike to the rock formation Grandma & Grandpa Rocks. Follow the S-BM (yellow) trail on top of Cobus Mountain to the Egg Rock and Stone Memorial Shelter. Take the service road to Pine Meadow Lake. Go along Pine Meadow Brook to visit the Ga-Nus-Quah Rock formation and continue back to the parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the Reeves Meadow Visitor Center Leaders: Davy Mak/Diana Lu Sunday 1/19/2025 - Terrace Pond/ Bearfort Mountain Hike, 7 & 10 Miles / Level B & C Abram Hewitt State Forest, NJ Terrace Pond is an aquatic gem that lies at an altitude of 1,380 feet located in the Abram Hewitt State Forest near West Milford, NJ. Terrace Pond is surrounded by steep cliffs of puddingstone conglomerate, with nearby blueberry swamps and impressive stands of rhododendron. The expansive views on top of the mountain ridges worth the effort of some steep climbs. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at Hiking Terrace Pond Parking Leaders: Jennifer Chen Saturday 1/25/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training Enrollment session #2, 10-18 miles Harriman State Park, NY Enrollment to a 3 months long distance hike training program. The training prepares hikers to hike on long & difficult trails to explore unfamiliar territories. Hikers help each other to achieve their goals. The hikers are required to hike at least 8 hours for each session. They monitor their progress to build up their strength and improve on the hiking skills. New enrollment will be limited once the training has begun. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Jianming Wang/Lucy Yu Saturday 1/25/2025 - Doris Duke & Appalachian Trail Hike / Levels B & C Sterling Forest State Park, NY The hike traverses the Doris Duke Wildlife Sanctuary, the Sterling Mountain and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail(AT) in the north. There are fascinating rock formations and magnificent vistas on rock ledges. The hike starts with the Doris Duke Trail going up the mountain. Follow the trail along the transmission line to connect to the AT trail to visit the Fitzerald Falls and see the many viewpoints along the mountain ridge. Descend to the valley and pass the Beaver Swamp back to the trailhead. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at Doris Duke Trailhead Parking Lot Leaders: Amy Tien/Lian Jiang/Nancy Liang Saturday 1/25/2025 - Dater Mt -Claudia Den - Lake Skenonto 12 -14 miles / level D Harriman State Park, NY Starting from Johnsontown Circle to take Blue Disc to Dater Mt to continue to Claudia Den, and take White Cross to Lake Skenonto. Continue uphill with Victory Blue to Red Dot trail, change to Yellow triangle to Deep Hollow, bypass Tuxedo train station to Kakiate white to Blue Disc to return to parking lot. For additional 3 miles, you may take Orange trail from Kakiat White to Sleater Hill and enjoy expansive view over Hwy 87. *The goal of the hike is to help participants successfully complete an 8-hours journey.* y Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at Johnsontown Circle Trailhead Leaders: Chwen (Jun) Best/Jessica Liu Sunday 1/26/2025 - Lake Tamarack - Millstone Hill - High Mtn - Matapan Rock Hike / Leve B & C Ramapo Mountain State Forest, NJ From the Skyline Dr. Upper Parking Lot, take a relaxed walk to visit Todd Lake and Lake Tamarack. Change to the Schuber (orange) trail to go up to Millstone Hill. Descend to Lake Vreeland and continue going north to the see the beautiful views at Ilgenstein Rock. Go south passing High Mountain to walk on the HM (yellow) trail to see the scenery of the Erskine Valley. Continue on the HM (yellow) trail back to the parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at the Skyline Dr. Upper Parking Lot Leaders: Jennifer Chen Saturday 2/1/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training: Session #3 - Map navigation, 12-17 Miles. Level D Norvin Green State Forest, NJ Learn to read a trail map and plan a hiking route around the Stonetown Circular trail. There are many marked and unmarked trails for the hikers to choose. Hikers are asked to identify the current location on the map, trail name, elevation; and estimate the distance and time required to reach the next target point. The hikers are required to hike at least 8 hours. Some veteran long distance hikers will be there to act as mentors to help. *Registration is limited to members of the Training program. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Tony Shu/Jimmy Xing Saturday 2/1/2025 - Wildcat Mountain - Indian Hill Loop, 9 & 13 miles / levels C & D Sterling Forest + Harriman State Park, NY The Wildcat Mountain and the Indian Hill offer many south-facing scenic views of the Ramapo Valley, Sterling Forest and Harriman State Park. The hilltop are dotted with scattered large rocks left behind from the glacial period. The loop trail starts from the parking lot at Route 17A. Follow the Wildcat Mountain (WC) and Indian Hill (IH) trails to the Appalachian Trail (AT white). Turn right on AT and enter Harriman State Park. Take the service road near Elk Pen to Valley of Boulder to White Bar. Crossing route 106 to Parker Cabin Hollow (O) and through Route 106 again to the parking lot. A shorter version is to follow the WC trail to Indian Hill. Hike a complete loop on Indian Hill and retrace on the WC trail back to the parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at trail head Leaders: Homer Hsieh/Vincent Yu Saturday 2/1/2025 - Johnsontown Circle Dater Mountain to Lake Skenonto winter Hike / Levels B & C Harriman State Park, NY From JTC, follow Blue Disc Trail to climb up Dater Mtn. Visit the curtain of icicles hanging from the cliff at Elbow Brush. Climb up Claudius Smith Den to enjoy the winter view of Blauvelt Mountain. Continue on the R-D trail to Parker Cabin Mountain. Descend the mountain on the Triangle (yellow) trail to the frozen Lake Skenonto. Follow the Victory Blue trail going north and change to a service road to Lake Sebago. Go along the bank of Lake Sebago to the Triangle (Yellow)Trail. Follow the Triangle and then the White Bar Trails back to JCT. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Steve Huang/Lily Huang/Sharon Yan Sunday 2/2/2025 - Sleeping Giant State Park - Mount Carmel exploration Hike / Level B & C Sleeping Giant State Park, Connecticut The “Sleeping Giant” is 2 miles of traprock mountaintop resembling the profile of a large man lying in repose. The outcrops and ridge crests give the "Sleeping Giant" a distinct "head", "chin", Chest", "hip", "knee" and "feet". The hike starts from the picnic area to go on the Blue Trail along the mountain cliff to the Giant Tower near the summit of Mount Carmel. Continue on the Blue trail to the swamp and following the river to see the Gorge Cascade Falls. Return on an unmarked trail to visit the few lookout points on the Violet Trail. Connect back to the Blue trail to go to Hezekiah's Knob. Connect to the White Trail to hike along the mountain side to go back to the parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 am at the Parking Lot, 200 Mount Carmel Ave. Hamden, CT Leaders: Jennifer Chen/Jianming Wang Saturday 2/8/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training: Session #4, 15- 20 miles Harriman State Park, NY The training program prepares hikers to hike long distances and explore unfamiliar territories. Hikers help each other to achieve their goals. Hikers in the program build up their physical strength; improve their hiking skills and develop good judgement under difficult situations. Hikers practice on the trails to visit the 13 target points of the Gin's Challenge Hike. The hikers are required to hike at least 8 hours for each session. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Lucy Yu/Jianming Wang Saturday 2/8/2025 - Three Reservoirs/ Breakneck Mtn Loop, 6 - 8 Mile Hikes / Levels B & C Harriman State Park, NY Starting at parking lot off Rte 106, at the foothill of the Jackie Jones Mountain, follow the S-BM (yellow) trail for about half a mile. Then turn left to the unmarked road to visit the three reservoirs. At the end of the 3rd Reservoir, make a right on S-BM (yellow) trail going uphill. Hike the whole Breakneck Mtn (white) trail. Left turn on TMI (red) trail and then the service road to the Big Hill Shelter. Follow the paved road back to the parking. Relaxed hikers can take various shortcuts but do not miss the views at Big Hill Shelter. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 am at the Rte 106 roadside Trailhead Parking Leaders: Saturday 2/8/2025 - Elk Pen- Lemon Squeeze - Askoti Lake - Black Rock Loop, 12-14 Mile / Level E Harriman State Park, NY From the parking lot, follow the AT (white) trail through Lemon Squeeze to Fingerboard Shelter(about 4.2 miles). Change to Blue, then turn to the unmarked trail going southwest, then connect to the A-SB (red triangle) trail to Askoti Parking lot, change to Long Path, then Dunning (y), passing Bold Rock Shelter, Black Rock, Nurian White, taking Stahahe (red bar) back to Elk Pen parking lot. Follow your own pace to finish no later than 3:00 pm. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at Elk Pen Parking Lot Leaders: Rosa Melgar/HY Lee Sunday 2/9/2025 - CMCNY Membership Meeting & Spring Festival Gathering Elmhurst, NY The General Membership Meeting is an experience sharing and get together party for all members and their friends. It will be held at the St. James Episcopal Church, 84-07 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY. The event features a buffet dinner, slide show on our exotic expeditions, raffle, games, used gears exchange and preview of upcoming activities. Open enrollment for new members. Reservation is required. Fees: Free for members, $10 guest of members. Meeting Time/Place: 2:00 PM at St. James Episcopal Church Leaders: Jessica Liu/Kwok-Chi Ng/Steve Huang/Nancy Liang Saturday 2/15/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training: Session #5, 15- 20 miles Harriman State Park, NY The training program prepares hikers to hike long distances and explore unfamiliar territories. Hikers help each other to achieve their goals. Hikers in the program build up their physical strength; improve their hiking skills and develop good judgement under difficult situations. Hikers practice on the trails to visit the 13 target points of the Gin's Challenge Hike. The hikers are required to hike at least 8 hours for each session. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: XiaoJing Wei/XiaoTao Shi Saturday 2/15/2025 - Iron Mines trail, 6 & 9 miles Day Hikes/ Levels B & C Harriman State Park, NY Peep into the mining past of Harriman State Park by visiting the remnants of some old iron mines. Some of these mines became beautiful caves with natural skylights. Starting from Lake Skannatati, visit the Hogencamp Mine then to the Pine Swamp, Surbridge, Greenwood and Bradley mines. Return by visiting the Fingerboard Shelter to enjoy the view of Lake Tiorati and Connect to the A-SB trail back to Lake Askoti. Adventurous hikers extend the hike to Boston Mine with the bonus of the terrific views of Island Pond and atop mountain ridges. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the Lake Askoti Parking Lot Leaders: Saturday 2/15/2025 - Four Lakes Hike, 8-10 miles/ C levels Harriman State Park, NY From the Sebago Boat Launch parking, take the 7-Hills trail to the lookout points on Diamond Mtn. Hike down to Pine Meadow Lake from Yellow and to Lake Wanoksink from unmarked road. Change to the TMI trail-Wood Town Road and Yellow to Resevoir 3. After Walking on the Breakneck ridge enjoying the expansive view of the Breakneck pond. Enjoy leisure smooth walk down Buck Trail (yellow) and Blue trail to the parking lot on Lake Sebago. *The goal of the hike is to help participants successfully complete an 8-hours journey. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 am at the Sebago Boat Launch Leaders: Ada Jow/Vincent Yu Saturday 2/22/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training: Session #6, 15- 20 miles Harriman State Park, NY The training program prepares hikers to hike long distances and explore unfamiliar territories. Hikers help each other to achieve their goals. Hikers in the program build up their physical strength; improve their hiking skills and develop good judgement under difficult situations. Hikers practice on the trails to visit the 13 target points of the Gin's Challenge Hike. The hikers are required to hike at least 8 hours for each session. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Jianming Wang/Frank Song Saturday 2/22/2025 - Ramapo Torne -- Russian Bear -- Diamond Mt. 9 miles Hike / Level B & C Harriman State Park South, NY Winter hike to view the snow scenery on the Mountains and lakes. From Reeves Visitor Center, take the (Blue) trail South Hill. Change to Hillburn-Torne-Sebago (Orange) trail all the way Stony Brook to back Reeve Visitor Center with Stony Brook (Yellow) & Pine Meadow (Red) trail. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at Reeves Meadow Visitor Center Leaders: Saturday 2/22/2025 - Lake Askoti-Finger Board-Island Pond-Lake Askoti 12-14 miles/ level E Harriman State Park, NY Take the A-SB (red triangle) trail to Time Square. Take R-D to Finger Board shelter, and change to Long Path trail from At (W) to visit the famous rock formation of Lemon Squeezer. Go west on the AT trail to the north shore of Island Pond. Change to a service road to a secluded spot, south of Island pond. Retrace back on the service road and follow the scenic Dunning (yellow) trail back to the parking. Avid hikers can extend the hike to visit the lookout points on Black Rock Mountain before heading back to the parking lot. *The goal of the hike is to help participants successfully complete an 8-hours journey. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at trail head Leaders: Iris Liu/Vincent Yu Saturday 3/1/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training: Session #7, 15- 20 miles Harriman State Park, NY The training program prepares hikers to hike long distances and explore unfamiliar territories. Hikers help each other to achieve their goals. Hikers in the program build up their physical strength; improve their hiking skills and develop good judgement under difficult situations. Hikers practice on the trails to visit the 13 target points of the Gin's Challenge Hike. The hikers are required to hike at least 8 hours for each session. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Lucy Yu/Iris Liu Saturday 3/1/2025 - Ramapo Lake to Wanaque Ridge Loop Hike/ 10 & 13 miles/Levels C & D Ramapo Mountain State Forest, NJ From Lower Parking Lot, take Blue/Black trail to Castle Loop (W) to Cannon Red and turn to Castle White trail to visit the Ruin. After Stone Town, take the unmarked trail to OBK(orange/Black) and Orange to loop Wanaque Range points to Le Grande range and take BBK (Blue/Black) to return to Parking lot at dam of Ramapo Lake. For further 3 mile, you may tour around the Ramapo lake after the end of Le Grande range, and return back parking lot with BBK (Blue/Blk) trail. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM Skyline Drive Lower Trailhead Parking Leaders: Homer Hsieh/Chwen (Jun) Best Saturday 3/8/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training: Session #8, 18- 25 miles Harriman State Park, NY The training program prepares hikers to hike long distances and explore unfamiliar territories. Hikers help each other to achieve their goals. Hikers in the program build up their physical strength; improve their hiking skills and develop good judgement under difficult situations. Hikers practice on the trails to visit the 13 target points of the Gin's Challenge Hike. The hikers are required to hike at least 9 hours for each session. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: XiaoJing Wei/Lucy Yu Saturday 3/8/2025 - Doris Duke & Appalachian Trail Hike / Levels B & C Sterling Forest State Park, NY The hike traverses the Doris Duke Wildlife Sanctuary, the Sterling Mountain and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail(AT) in the north. There are fascinating rock formations and magnificent vistas on rock ledges. The hike starts with the Doris Duke Trail going up the mountain. Follow the trail along the transmission line to connect to the AT trail to visit the Fitzerald Falls and see the many viewpoints along the mountain ridge. Descend to the valley and pass the Beaver Swamp back to the trailhead. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at Doris Duke Trailhead Parking Lot Leaders: Saturday 3/8/2025 - TMI - SBM - Pine Meadow Lake Loop, 12-14 miles/ Level E Harriman State Park, New York Start from the east end of TMI and turn left to southbound of SBM. The most beautiful portion of the SBM trail provides gorgeous overlooks along the ridge. You can even see Manhattan on a sunny day. visiting Stone Memorial Shelter then to continue to Pine Meadow Lake . Continue to Yellow to Seven Hills Blue to TMI Red to Breakneck(W). Take south bound S-BM (Y) near Ladentown Mt. to TMI to return parking lot. *The goal of the hike is to help participants successfully complete an 8-hours journey. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at TMI East End Parking Lot Leaders: Cherry Lau/Iris Liu Saturday 3/15/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training: Session #9, 18- 25 miles Harriman State Park, NY The training program prepares hikers to hike long distances and explore unfamiliar territories. Hikers help each other to achieve their goals. Hikers in the program build up their physical strength; improve their hiking skills and develop good judgement under difficult situations. Hikers practice on the trails to visit the 13 target points of the Gin's Challenge Hike. The hikers are required to hike at least 9 hours for each session. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Frank Song/Jianming Wang Saturday 3/15/2025 - Hasenclever Mine Loop 9 & 12 Miles / Level C & D Harriman State Park N Y Staring from Lake Askoti Parking taking ASB red trail and change to Red Cross passing Hasenclever Mt to parking lot by Lake Tiorati. Changing to Beech Trail (B) passing Nat House Mt, Civil War period cemetery until end at Long Path. Taking LP return to Askoti parking. For the longer hike: from parking lot take Long Path to Time Square, and change ASB toward Askoti Lake to Red Cross Trail to continue to Hasenclever Loop. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at Askoti Lake Parking Lot Leaders: Chwen (Jun) Best/Mei Lu Saturday 3/22/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training: Session #10, 18- 25 miles Harriman State Park, NY The training program prepares hikers to hike long distances and explore unfamiliar territories. Hikers help each other to achieve their goals. Hikers in the program build up their physical strength; improve their hiking skills and develop good judgement under difficult situations. Hikers practice on the trails to visit the 13 target points of the Gin's Challenge Hike. The hikers are required to hike at least 9 hours for each session. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: XiaoJing Wei/Wei Chen Saturday 3/22/2025 - Storm King Mountain Hike, 9 Miles / Level B & C Cornwall, NY From the Route 9W (North) trailhead parking lot, ascend Storm King Mt. on the Butter Hill Trail (orange). Then follow the yellow Stillman Trail through many scenic viewpoints overlooking the Hudson River. Change to the blue Howell Trail to loop around North Point with a view that looks like a Scandinavian ford. Return via Pitching Point with more viewpoints. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trail head Leaders: Saturday 3/22/2025 - Fingerboard - Stockbridge - Goshen Mountains 12-14 mile / Level E Harriman State Park, N Y Starting from the Lake Tiorati Trail (triple B) to the crest of Fingerboard to connect AT southbound, then change to Long Path (north B) near Dismal Swamp. Continue LP to Stockbridge Shelter and continue on LP to Nawahunta Fire Road to change to Menomine Trail (Y), passing Silvermine Lake to Brien Memorial Shelter. After shelter change to RD passing Goshen Mt to return to parking. *The goal of the hike is to help participants successfully complete an 8-hours journey. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at the trail head Leaders: Bon Chiu/Rosa Melgar Saturday 3/29/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training: Session #11, 18- 25 miles Harriman State Park, NY The training program prepares hikers to hike long distances and explore unfamiliar territories. Hikers help each other to achieve their goals. Hikers in the program build up their physical strength; improve their hiking skills and develop good judgement under difficult situations. Hikers practice on the trails to visit the 13 target points of the Gin's Challenge Hike. The hikers are required to hike at least 9 hours for each session. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Jimmy Xing/XiaoTao Shi Saturday 3/29/2025 - West Mountain to Timp Torne/ The Pines Hike, 9 & 12 miles/Level C & D Bear Mountain State Park, NY Starting at the Anthony Wayne Parking Area, follow the White trail, then the FAWN (red) trail and then the Timp-Torne (blue) trail to meet the AT trail at West Mountain. Enjoy the many lookout points along the ridge. Level B hikers will follow Yellow to return to parking lot after lunch at the shelter. The level C hikers will venture out to the Timp for lunch, then return by 1777 Red back to the parking lot. For level D hikers will venture out to the Yellow trail before shelter and return by Red Cross to West Mt. shelter, follow Blue to return to parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at trailhead parking lot Leaders: Steve Lin Saturday 4/5/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training: Session #12, 10-13 checkpoints Harriman State Park, NY The training program prepares hikers to hike long distances and explore unfamiliar territories. Hikers help each other to achieve their goals. Hikers in the program build up their physical strength; improve their hiking skills and develop good judgement under difficult situations. Hikers practice on the trails to visit the 13 target points of the Gin's Challenge Hike. The hikers are required to hike at least 9 hours for each session. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: XiaoJing Wei/PingPing Zong Saturday 4/5/2025 - Bowling Rocks - Black Rock Mt. - Time Square - 9 miles / Level B & C Harriman State Park, NY This is a hike on mountain ridges to view the winter scenery of the mountains, forests. From Askoti, take Long Path & Dunning (Yellow), passing Bowling Rocks to the R-D(red dot) Trail. Continue on the R-D Trail to the Black Rock Mtn, then take Nurian (White) and go north bound White Bar Trail through the forest and swamps, you will take A-SB passing Time Square to return to parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at Lake Askoti Parking Lot Leaders: Saturday 4/5/2025 - Elk Pen - Lemon Squeeze - Nurian - Valley of Boulder- 12-14 mile/ level E Harriman State Park, NY From Elk Pen Parking lot, take AT (White) to Lemon Squeeze, stay on AT and change to Ramapo-Dundenberg RD south nearby Fingerboard Shelter, Stay at RD and change to Nurian White at Black Rock. Then follow Nurian (White) passing Valley of Boulder to Stahahe Brook red stripe trail (red).Continue to Arden Surebridge red triangle (red) to AT and back to Elk Pen Parking. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at Trailhead Leaders: Chwen (Jun) Best/Mei Lu Saturday 4/12/2025 - Long Distance Hike Training: Session #13, 10-13 checkpoints Harriman State Park, NY The training program prepares hikers to hike long distances and explore unfamiliar territories. Hikers help each other to achieve their goals. Hikers in the program build up their physical strength; improve their hiking skills and develop good judgement under difficult situations. Hikers practice on the trails to visit the 13 target points of the Gin's Challenge Hike. The hikers are required to hike at least 9 hours for each session. Meeting Time/Place: 7:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Wei Chen/Frank Song Saturday 4/12/2025 - Timp Torne - SBM - Dunderberg Mountain 9 & 12 miles / Level D & E Bear Mountain State Park Start from the parking lot at 9W/202, follow the Red trail to trace the route of the Railway. To Cornell Mine and Bald Mt, continue to the Timp. From the Timp take Red Cross then take SBM Yellow till Blue to West Mt Shelter and continue with Blue to Timp Torne. Follow the Blue trail to the viewpoint. There is the view of Indian Point Power Plant across the Hudson River. Come down on the route of the railway to the parking lot. *The goal of the hike is to help participants successfully complete an 8-hours journey. Meeting Time/Place: 8: 30 AM at trail head Leaders: Jessica Liu/Steve Lin Saturday 4/19/2025 - Gin's Challenge Endurance 26+ mile Hike / Level F Harriman State Park, NY The annual Gin's Challenge Endurance Hike is a 30+ miles route passing through 13 target points. This challenging hike is named in honor of Gin Goon, a founder of CMCNY. He passed away in Oct. 2003. The hikers strive to visit the 13 target points going through strenuous mountain trails with many ups and downs covering many difficult terrains. The long distance hikers have been training hard for the past months for their strength, hiking skills, endurance and patience. This hike will be a testimony for their hard work and accomplishment. Meeting Time/Place: 6:00AM at the trailhead Leaders: Chung Leung/Iris Liu Saturday 4/19/2025 - Gin's Challenge Jr. Hike -- Lake Askoti to Breakneck Mt Loop, 8 & 12 Miles C & Harriman State Park, NY From Lake Askoti, follow the Long Path visiting the Flight 6231 Crash site Memorial to Big Hill Shelter. Proceed to hike along the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail and Breakneck Mt trail to cheer up the Gin's Challenge Hikers. Return to Lake Askoti via TMI then Woodtown Rd and SBM to the Long Path. For a short hike, you may take Cranberry Mt trail after Breakneck Mt trail to return to Long Path to Lake Askoti. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30AM at Lake Askoti trailhead Leaders: Saturday 4/26/2025 - Norvin Green/ Weis Nature Center 6 - 9 Mile Hikes, Levels B & C Norvin Green State Forest, NJ From Weis Center, go up Ball Mtn. to the Vista point. Come downhill to Roomy Mine and view the cascades along the Blue Mine Brook. Continue on the Highland Trail to visit High Point which is famous for its rock ledges, pitch pines and panoramic view. Branch off to visit the lookout points at Carris Hill. Return to Weis Center by the service road. Avid hikers can extend the hike to the trails on Buck Mtn. *No Carpool Arrangement Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at New Weis Center Parking Lot Leaders: Saturday 4/26/2025 - Three Reservoirs/ Breakneck Mtn Loop, 6 - 8 Mile Hikes / Levels B & C Harriman State Park, NY Starting at parking lot off Rte 106, at the foothill of the Jackie Jones Mountain, follow the S-BM (yellow) trail for about half a mile. Then turn left to the unmarked road to visit the three reservoirs. At the end of the 3rd Reservoir, make a right on S-BM (yellow) trail going uphill. Hike the whole Breakneck Mtn (white) trail. Left turn on TMI (red) trail and then the service road to the Big Hill Shelter. Follow the paved road back to the parking. Relaxed hikers can take various shortcuts but do not miss the views at Big Hill Shelter. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 am at the Rte 106 roadside Trailhead Parking Leaders: Saturday 5/3/2025 - Igenstein Mt - Ringwood SP - Hawk Rock Loop hike ; 12 - 14 miles/ level D Ramapo Valley County Reservation, NJ Ringwood State Park - Mt. Defiance and Hawk Rock loop Take Schuber trail (orange) and pass MacMillan Reservoir, turn right to Red-Silver trail to Bear Swamp lake, turn left on Shore Trail (blue), then Cannonball trail (red) and Crossover trail (white), pass Ilgenstein Rock and Butler Mine, turn right on Five Ponds Connector (pibk) to Halifax trail (green), pass Halifax Ruins and Hawk Rock, switch to Silver trail and parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Saturday 5/3/2025 - Ringwood SP - Mt.Defiance - Five Pond/ 8 miles/ levels B&C Ringwood State Park, NJ Start from Ringwood State Parking lot - 1st visiting Swan Pond then hike to Mt. Defiance, follow the Pink trail to reach Brushwood Pond, Gatun Pond, Weyble Pond, Glasmere Pond. Walk down through the secret place of NJ Botanical garden, with New Year's decoration. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Saturday 5/10/2025 - Stony Brook & Diamond Mountain 8-10 miles/ Level C Harriman State Park, N Y The Stony Brook is a river with many pretty cascades. Starting from Reeves Visitor Center, take Pine Meadow Trail and cross the river at the Cascade of Slid to reach the Stony Brook (Y) trail. Go to the end and continue with TMI & Seven Hill (B) to Lake Wanoksink & Pine Meadow for the lake scenery. After the break, taking Yellow trail to Diamond Mtn. for panoramic view. Coming down on the Seven Hill (B) trail and continue on to the Pine Meadow (R) Trail back to parking lot. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at Reeves Visitor Center (Seven Lake Drive) Leaders: Saturday 5/10/2025 - Russian Bear/Pine Meadow Lake, 8 Mile Day Hike / Level C Harriman State Park, NY Start from Reeve visitor center at 7 Lakes Drive, follow the blue trail, then orange trail to Russian Bear. After enjoying the view of the Ramapo valley, then go down to Pine Meadow Lake. Take a walk around the lake for the winter view and return to the visitor center through the yellow trail along the Stony Brook. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Saturday 5/17/2025 - Lake Askoti-Finger Board-Island Pond-Lake Askoti 12-14 miles/ level E Harriman State Park, NY Take the A-SB (red triangle) trail to Time Square. Take R-D to Finger Board shelter, and change to Long Path trail from At (W) to visit the famous rock formation of Lemon Squeezer. Go west on the AT trail to the north shore of Island Pond. Change to a service road to a secluded spot, south of Island pond. Retrace back on the service road and follow the scenic Dunning (yellow) trail back to the parking. Avid hikers can extend the hike to visit the lookout points on Black Rock Mountain before heading back to the parking lot. *The goal of the hike is to help participants successfully complete an 8-hours journey. Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at trail head Leaders: Saturday 5/17/2025 - The Timp and Dunderberg Mountain Hike / Level B and C Bear Mountain State Park, New York The hike walks portion of the unfinished Dunderberg Spiral Railway built in 1890. Visit remnants of the tunnels and graded railbeds. Starting from the R-D trail head roadside parking at 9W/202, follow the Timp-Torne trail (blue) to climb up to the Timp. Enjoy many lookout points of the Hudson River and Highlands along the ridge. After lunch, take R-D (red) trail through Bald Mtn & Cornell Mine to go back to parking lot. Short walk hikers can take short cuts. Meeting Time/Place: 8:30 AM at the trailhead Leaders: Saturday 5/24/2025 - Memorial Day Family Camping at Woodland Valley Campground, NY Woodland Valley Campground, NY (5/24-5/26) Woodland Valley Campground as the trail-head for both the Slide-Wittenberg Trail (the Burroughs Range) and Woodland Valley-Denning Trail (which provides access to the Giant Ledge-Panther Mountain Trail. Facilities on site include flush toilet and hot shower. There are plenty of bike routes nearby and hiking in the Catskill Mountains. Prepare your own camping equipment. Limit to 50 people. Fee includes 1st night BBQ: $40 /adults; $20/children under 12 of age. Meeting Time/Place: Contact leaders for details Leaders: Kwok-Chi Ng/Chung Leung Saturday 5/24/2025 - Pyramid Mountain 6 - 9 Mile Hikes / Levels B & C Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, NJ This is a natural preserve in the heart of the suburban Morris County, NJ. About 18,000 years ago, the Wisconsin Glacier deposited a number of extraordinary boulders and created beautiful landscapes with numerous swamps and streams in the area. Those in turn, help nourish the amazing array of wildflowers, birds and wild animals in this densely forested park. The area contains a maze of trails with many hidden viewpoints like the Tripod Rock, Bear Rock and to just naming a few. Therefore follow the trip leader and take your time to visit these interesting places. For faster hikers, they can extend the hike to Turkey Mountain and visit the reservoirs. Meeting Time/Place: Meeting Time/Place: 8:30AM at PMNHA Visiting Center, Kinnelon, NJ Leaders: /Frank Song Saturday 5/31/2025 - Dater Mt -Claudia Den - Lake Skenonto 12 -14 miles / level D Harriman State Park, NY Starting from Johnsontown Circle to take Blue Disc to Dater Mt to continue to Claudia Den, and take White Cross to Lake Skenonto. Continue uphill with Victory Blue to Red Dot trail, change to Yellow triangle to Deep Hollow, bypass Tuxedo train station to Kakiate white to Blue Disc to return to parking lot. For additional 3 miles, you may take Orange trail from Kakiat White to Sleater Hill and enjoy expansive view over Hwy 87. *The goal of the hike is to help participants successfully complete an 8-hours journey.* y Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at Johnsontown Circle Trailhead Leaders: Saturday 5/31/2025 - Bull Hill & Breakneck Mountain hike/ 9 miles/ Levels C & D Hudson Highlands State Park, NY Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus) is located next to the famous Breakneck Ridge in the Hudson Highlands. Hiking up Bull Hill offers sweeping views of the Hudson River and neighboring peaks from rock outcrops but without the rock scramble like Breakneck. Descend from the summit of Bull Hill. Cross over to the northern section of the Breakneck Ridge by the Notch trail for more views. Finish the hike by walking downhill on the Cornish trail along the Breakneck Brook. *No Carpool Arrangement Meeting Time/Place: 8:00 AM at the Washburn Trailhead Leaders: |
