Details for the hike near Cold Spring on Sat., 8/25:
Excerpt from the hike organizer:
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park near Cold Spring, NY.
The hike is classified as moderate with an elevation gain of about 870 feet. We will be crossing creek beds, so wear shoes you don't mind getting wet.
Meeting point will be the Metro North railway station in Cold Spring, NY.
From Grand Central, train departs at 7:45am and arrives at 9:07, no transfers necessary ($29)
From Harlem 125th St, train departs at 7:56am and arrives at 9:07, no transfers necessary ($29)
Organizer will have cars at the train station to drive 10 minutes to the trail head.
The hike will take approximately 3.5-4 hours and we will have several options afterwards:
Drive (~10 mins) to a lakeside beach
Drive back into Cold Spring for lunch before departing
The trains out of Cold Spring are hourly (2:16, 3:14, 4:06, 4:18, etc), so if anyone needs to leave immediately after the hike, no problem and if anyone wants to stay and enjoy the coastal town of Cold Spring, no problem!
What to bring:
Small daypack (backpack)
2 liters of water
Snacks/lunch: foods that offer a mixture of protein and carbohydrates, such as trail mixes, fruit with individual packets of nut butters, fruit with individual servings of cheese, granola bars that also have nuts/seeds, pre-made sandwiches, bagels and nut butter, etc.
For women, bring a plastic baggie, tissues and travel-size antibacterial lotion in case you need to use the "facilities" while on the trail. We need to take everything back off of the trail with us; no littering!
Sunscreen
Insect repellent (ticks are bountiful this year)
Sunglasses or a hat with a brim
Your phones or cameras for pictures!
An extra shirt or lightweight sweater to avoid the chill of an air-conditioned train after sweating
We will keep an eye on the weather as it gets closer, but you should always carry a lightweight rain shell/poncho just in case
What to wear:
Sneakers or lightweight hiking boots/shoes
Again, we will be crossing stream beds, so wear shoes that can get wet if it's unavoidable
Socks with some cushion to the soles if you haven't been hiking lately; lightweight wool is an excellent wicking material for socks
Shorts or lightweight pants and a t-shirt or tank, preferably not cotton so you can wick away sweat as you get warmer