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Campers' Group Bulletin - Spring 2017 |
Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment. - Ellis Peters
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Saturday, March 25, Intermediate day hike, Sterling Forest (Rt 17A), Monroe NY Sterling Forest State Park comprises 22,000 acres of nearly pristine natural refuge. Located in the Ramapo Mountains in Orange County, New York, it is a remarkable piece of woodland, a watershed for millions, and a tremendous outdoor recreation area. This 7 mile approximately 4 hour circuit hike traverses Sterling Ridge, includes a fire tower, offers great views and a walk along scenic Sterling Lake. This is a fairly moderate hike, but with elevation, a bit more difficult. Well-behaved dogs, leashed when necessary, are allowed on this hike. Dress in synthetic or wool layers, wear hiking boots or an outdoor type shoe, and bring lunch or energy snacks with about 2 liters of water. If it is icy, a traction device for the bottom of your boots, such as Microspikes, are highly recommended, or may even be required for safety. They are available from Campmor, Ramsey Outdoor, and many other retailers. Hiking poles are also suggested. Directions: Route 17A to the parking area for the Sterling Ridge Trail. Follow the dirt road past the gate to a large parking area in a grassy field. Trailhead GPS: 41.230616, -74.260762 Please RSVP on the Meetup page for this event.
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Saturday, April 1, Day Hike, Ringwood State Park, Ringwood NJ Ringwood State Park is a 5000-acre state park in Passaic County in northeastern NJ. The Park is located in the heart of the Ramapo Mountains in Ringwood. This 6 mile, approximately 4 hour, moderate circuit hike runs along Shepherd Lake, climbs to several viewpoints on Mount Defiance and traverses the historic Skylands Manor area. The Manor itself was built in the 1920s based on English Jacobean architecture common in the English countryside 400 years ago. Several breaks will be planned to enjoy the scenic views, and for water/snacks. Well-behaved dogs, leashed when necessary, are allowed on this hike. Dress in synthetic or wool layers, wear hiking boots or an outdoor type shoe, and bring lunch or energy snacks with about 2 liters of water. If it is icy, a traction device for the bottom of your boots, such as Microspikes, are highly recommended, or may even be required for safety. They are available from Campmor, Ramsey Outdoor, and many other outdoor retailers. Hiking poles are also suggested. Directions: Just before the entrance to the Skylands section of Ringwood State Park, turn left onto Shepherd Lake Road and proceed for 0.8 mile to Shepherd Lake. We’ll be in the parking lot. GPS: 41.137133, -74.232651 Please RSVP on the Meetup page for this event.
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Sunday, April 2, Day Trip, The Museum of Sex, New York NY The official mission of the Museum of Sex is “to preserve and present the history, evolution, and cultural significance of human sexuality. In its exhibitions, programs and publications, The Museum of Sex is committed to open discourse and exchange, and to bringing to the public the best in current scholarship.” The museum focuses on a variety of sexual preferences and subcultures, including lesbian and gay history and erotica, BDSM, pornography and sex work. Although the museum’s exhibits are presented in an educational format, they sometimes feature explicit content. Because of this, visitors must be 18 years old or older. We’ll either meet out front or in the lobby. Please RSVP on the Meetup page for this event.
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April 7-9, Cabin Trip, Frost Valley YMCA Camp, Claryville NY We are returning to Frost Valley, this time for a springtime visit! Hiking is the theme for this weekend, although there will be many other activities available. Our Frost Valley weekend will begin when campers arrive and check in Friday night, starting at 6:00 p.m. We can then get acquainted with our lodge and the grounds, and also meet with staff at the dining hall. There will be a snack of soup and salad that is served at the dining hall starting at 7pm. All meals and most activities are included with your payment. Meals will be Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast and lunch. There is a good variety of food, and plenty of it! We have been told that a “Leave No Trace Behind” class will be offered Friday night. Starting on Saturday morning, the camp offers “easy, medium and difficult” guided hikes. Hiking-related activities will include Introduction to Orienteering, Topographical Map Reading, Essential Gear Packing, Outdoor Living Skills, and Back Country Cooking. Other activities include Arts and Crafts, Observatory, Catskill Critters, Climbing Wall, Raptor Center, Healthy Cooking Classes, and more! The activities will continue Sunday morning until lunch. Check-out of our lodge is on Sunday by noon, and from the property by 2pm. We have reserved most of Bodman Lodge, a newer modern lodge with a total of 14 beds reserved for us in 3 different bunk rooms. All the beds are bunk style. Each bed comes with a blanket and a pillow. If you want bed sheets and bath towels, they are an additional $8.00 per person. Each room has its own bathroom. If you are a light sleeper, you may want to use a pair of inexpensive foam or wax earplugs. This is a great facility for children and families. Pets are not allowed. To reserve a spot, send a check for $136 made out to Campers‘ Group, to: Campers’ Group, 48 S. High Street Mt. Vernon, NY 10550. Once the organizer or a trip leader is notified of receipt of your check, you will be added to the RSVP list. For immediate inclusion, pay $140.19 via PayPal on the meetup.com page for this trip.
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April 14-16, Cabin Trip, Voorhees State Park, Glen Gardner NJ Voorhees State Park is located in rural Glen Gardner Borough, central New Jersey. It’s 1400 acres offers camping as well as hiking. We have reserved 3 cozy cabins in the camping area. These are small one room cabins with a wood stove or fireplace. There are 4 bunks in each cabin, and 2 vehicles are allowed in each designated parking area. Overflow parking is nearby. Bathrooms and a shower house are within a short walking distance. The park has 7 trails that are suitable for a wide range of abilities and interests. All trails in the park are multi-use except the Cross Park Trail and the Parcourse Circuit, which are footpaths only. The trails range from wide and graveled to rocky and steep in places. A map is available here. The Columbia Trail is a multi-use path that runs for 15 miles starting in the nearby town of High Bridge. Once a rail line, this popular rail trail now offers a scenic and serene ride or hike through the beautifully wooded Ken Lockwood Gorge area. The trail head is a 5 minute drive from the campground, and there is a trail parking lot on Main Street in High Bridge. This is an excellent path for hybrid and mountain bikes. A map and guide is available here. Check-in starts at 3:00 pm Friday; check-out is at 11:00 am Sunday. To reserve a spot, send a check for $28.50 made out to Campers‘ Group, to: Campers’ Group, 48 S. High Street Mt. Vernon, NY 10550. Once the organizer or a trip leader is notified of receipt of your check, you will be added to the RSVP list. For immediate inclusion, pay $29.57 via PayPal on the meetup.com page for this trip.
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Sunday, April 23, Bike Trip, NJ to NY Along the Hudson River, Jersey City NJ Bicycling along the Hudson River is very scenic, and can be a great workout! Join us for this intermediate ride of approximately 30 miles that begins in Jersey City and ends in Battery Park NYC. This is not a beginner ride. A steady pace of about 12 to 15 mph will be maintained between stops. A hybrid or road/touring bike is appropriate for this ride, NOT a mountain bike. Meet us in the parking lot along the southern end of Liberty State Park, GPS coordinates 40.697174, -74.064280. (Some city dwellers may want to join us during the ride on the Manhattan side.) We’ll ride through Flag Plaza to view the Statue of Liberty, and then continue north on the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway through Liberty State Park, enjoying an incredible view of downtown NYC. Then it’s on to downtown Jersey City, including Exchange Place and Newport, riding mostly on the walkway. We’ll then continue to Hoboken, Pier A and Pier C, and it’s other recreational waterfront areas. We can stop for a bite of lunch or just ride north out of town and along the Hudson, now on the northern section of the Waterfront Walkway, but occasionally on River Rd where necessary. The most difficult section of the ride comes when we climb the steep hill toward the George Washington Bridge. When crossing the Hudson, riding on the GWB pedestrian walkway will give us a fantastic view of the river and city. After leaving the bridge, we then connect with the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, stopping along the way to take in the views, and continue to ride south into Riverside Park, then Hudson River Park, and finally Battery Park. We can end our day there, or stop at a restaurant or another popular spot. Some may then ride home to their neighborhood in the city, and others will take the ferry back to Jersey City to ride back to their cars. We’ll meet in the parking lot before Flag Plaza and Liberty State Park, GPS coordinates 40.697174, -74.064280. Take NJ Turnpike exit 14B to Bayview Ave, which turns into Morris Pesin Dr. You can also try to join us during the ride on the Manhattan side. Please RSVP on the Meetup page for this event.
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April 28-30, Bike Ride/Camping Trip, Hither Hills State Park, Montauk NY We’ll be pedaling on quiet back roads past mansions, the ocean, farms, windmills, and the most beautiful sections of the Hamptons on the south fork of LI. One of the reasons Montauk bicycling is so popular is that it is one of the flattest rides in the area. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, this ride is for you! There are several routes from which we can decide for bicycling in the area. Click here to see some of the routes, and then we can decide before or when we meet. If you’ve got your own bike, take it with you if driving out there, or carry it on the Long Island Railroad. Be advised, there are some strict rules for transporting it on the railroad, so be sure to read all regulations (or consult this travel bike guide). If you are not bringing a bike, the Montauk Bike Shop on Main St. has rentals available for $10 per hour or $39 per day. Hither Hills State Park Campground offers scenic sites right along the dunes and ocean. We have reserved several oceanside sites. Each campsite allows a maximum two tents, and permits 2 cars. Only 1 car is allowed on the campsite. The additional vehicle is charged a $10 fee and must park in designated parking areas. This additional fee will be shared among the group during the weekend. Restrooms and showers are in the park, and a grocery store is nearby. RSVPs are per tent, not per person. To reserve a spot, send a check for $40.95 made out to Campers‘ Group, to: Campers’ Group, 48 S. High Street Mt. Vernon, NY 10550. Once the organizer or a trip leader is notified of receipt of your check, you will be added to the RSVP list. For immediate inclusion, pay $42.95 via PayPal on the meetup.com page for this trip.
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Saturday, April 29, Day Trip, Peoples Climate Movement, Washington DC March with us on April 29th as we come together to resist and march for our families, our communities and our planet. On the 100th Day of the Trump Administration, we will be in the streets of Washington D.C. to show the world and our leaders that we will resist attacks on our people, our communities and our planet. We will come together from across the United States to strengthen our movement. We will demonstrate our power and resistance at the gates of the White House. We will bring our solutions to the climate crisis, the problems that affect our communities and the threats to peace to our leaders in Congress to demand action. Find a bus near you! We invite you to join the Peoples Climate Movement on Saturday, April 29th as we march to: Advance solutions to the climate crisis rooted in racial, social and economic justice, and committed to protecting front-line communities and workers. Protect our right to clean air, water, land, healthy communities and a world at peace. Immediately stop attacks on immigrants, communities of color, indigenous and tribal people and lands and workers. Ensure public funds and investments create good paying jobs that provide a family-sustaining wage and benefits and preserve workers‘ rights, including the right to unionize. Fund investments in our communities, people and environment to transition to a new clean and renewable energy economy that works for all, not an economy that feeds the machinery of war. Protect our basic rights to a free press, protest and free speech. Start and end times listed on our meetup.com page are for the march only. Please check the website https://peoplesclimate.org/ for transportation and other information. Please RSVP on the Meetup page for this event.
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Saturday, May 6, Bike Trip, Governors Island Bicycling, Governors Island NY Governors Island is a 172 acre island in the heart of New York Harbor. It’s only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan, and even closer to Brooklyn. It is a world unto itself, unique and full of promise. The Island offers about 5 miles of car free biking. Bring your own bike or rent one from Blazing Saddles in Colonels Row or Citi Bike at the ferry landings. Road, hybrid and even mountain bikes are appropriate for this easy ride, although if you are riding a mountain bike, you may need to work harder to keep up with the others, and changing to smooth tires (slicks) are a good idea for pavement. Additional miles can be added to the day for some that are interested. Opening a month earlier than usual, we will be able to experience the spring season on the Island, and will have the opportunity to explore its beautiful public spaces and springtime plantings, recreational activities and diverse cultural programming during the month of May. You can read more here. If you would like to bike more miles, contact Ken. There may be an opportunity to extend the ride a bit on Manhattan, or even in Brooklyn. We will meet at about 11:00 am, at the ferry terminal in lower Manhattan (10 South St) or on the island. Please RSVP on the Meetup page for this event.
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May 12-14, Camping Trip, Sam’s Point Preserve, Ellenville NY Sam’s Point Preserve, or Sam’s Point Dwarf Pine Ridge Preserve, is a 4,600-acre preserve in Ulster County on the highest point (2,289 ft) of the Shawangunk Ridge in New York. Its unique environment features dwarf pitch pine trees along the ridgetop, with very impressive views. Also located within the park is Lake Maratanza, the highest lake on the ridge, and the Ellenville Fault Ice Caves. We’ll have an early departure on Saturday morning for a 10am start to hike in Sam’s Point, and to the Ice Caves, and beyond. The hike will include Verkeederkill Falls, High Point and Indian Rock lookout, if no trail closures are still in effect. This moderate to strenuous circuit hike will be 10.3 miles with 1403 ft of elevation, and is NOT for beginners. (Although if accompanied, it is possible some may take a shorter, easier route.) A trail map is available here. We’ll stay at Berentsen’s Campground ( 266 Roosa Gap Rd, Bloomingburg, NY 12721), only about 20 minutes from Sam’s Point. We have a spacious group site reserved not far from the bathroom and showers. Day hikers can join us just for the hike if they arrive early (by 9:30) to meet us at the campground, or at 10am in the Sam’s Point parking lot. Please dress in synthetic or wool layers, wear hiking boots or an outdoor type shoe, and bring lunch or energy snacks with about 2 liters of water. Bring a traction device like microspikes for your boots, if you have them, when in the ice caves. The Sam’s Point entrance fee is $10 per car. RSVPs are per tent, not per person. To reserve a spot, send a check for $32 made out to Campers‘ Group, to: Campers’ Group, 48 S. High Street Mt. Vernon, NY 10550. Once the organizer or a trip leader is notified of receipt of your check, you will be added to the RSVP list. For immediate inclusion, pay $33.17 via PayPal on the meetup.com page for this trip.
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May 19-21, Kayaking/Camping Trip, Mullica River, Shamong NJ Join us for paddling and backcountry camping in the Pine Barrens! The Mullica River canoe and kayak trail is a favorite for paddlers looking for a longer journey through Wharton State Forest. This is a very enjoyable trip for the more experienced paddler (sorry, no beginners). When paddling this river, especially in the spring, we may find challenges along the way; such as downed trees in the water which may require some paddling skill to navigate, or even may necessitate a full portage with camping gear. We will be moving through narrow passages surrounded by tall cedar stands, navigating the twists and turns before the river opens to wider areas fringed with beautiful white and yellow flowers of the water - lily and purple flowers of pickerel weed. River banks become small sandy beaches for relaxing lunch breaks, or a little exploration. Many times you will find yourself surrounded by silence with only the buzz and hum of nature to accompany us on our journey... If you pack a canoe, you can take more with you, if you paddle a kayak, you will need to be more minimalist when planning your equipment list - think of it as a backpacking trip on the water. Canoes, and kayaks of 12 feet in length and under, can maneuver in this part of the upper Mullica. To take full advantage of the paddling and camping experience, you will need to take off Friday and leave early in the morning (pack on Thursday evening or before). We will meet at the Atsion Ranger Station on Friday morning at 9:30am sharp. However, there is an option to skip Friday and meet up with us on Saturday morning when we are portaging over Rt. 206 and around the dam at Atsion Lake. Exact time TBD. A full itinerary is available on meetup.com. RSVPs are per tent, NOT per person. To reserve a spot, send a check for $34 made out to Campers‘ Group, to: Campers’ Group, 48 S. High Street Mt. Vernon, NY 10550. Once the organizer or a trip leader is notified of receipt of your check, you will be added to the RSVP list. For immediate inclusion, pay $35 via PayPal on the meetup.com page for this trip.
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May 26-29, Camping Trip, Hickory Run State Park, White Haven PA Join us and camp on one of the family sites we have reserved in this popular park. When With several activities available and much natural beauty, Hickory Run State Park has been one of our favorite spots for many years. Enjoy hiking and waterfalls near the campground, and swimming in Sand Spring Lake. Hiking the provocatively named Shades of Death Trail is far more enjoyable than the name implies! Tranquil Mud Run is just a few miles from the campground, and beautiful Hawk Falls is also close by. For a longer hike, you can go to Boulder Field, a National Natural Landmark that was created by frost heave during the last ice age. There is also bicycling on the nearby Lehigh Gorge State Park Trail. Our sites are secluded, walk-in, but only a very short distance from parking. Because of limited physical space on these campsites, we are having everyone RSVP for a tent spot, not per person, so tent sharing is encouraged, but not required. Flush toilets and hot showers are in the campground. SPACE IS LIMITED - RSVPS ARE PER TENT, NOT PER PERSON. SHARING IS ENCOURAGED! To reserve a spot for one tent, send a check for $40.50 made out to Campers‘ Group, to: Campers’ Group, 48 S. High Street Mt. Vernon, NY 10550. Once the organizer or a trip leader is notified of receipt of your check, you will be added to the RSVP list. For immediate inclusion, pay $41.89 via PayPal on the meetup.com page for this trip.
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June 2-4, Camping Trip, Lake Harris, Newcomb NY Lake Harris Campground is located on the northern shore of 275-acre Lake Harris, fed by the mighty Hudson River in the central Adirondacks. Private campsites are sheltered among large hardwood trees, which offer splendid color contrasts throughout the year. While the lake offers many watercraft opportunities, many love visiting the Visitor Interpretive Center or the Santanoni Preserve Historic Site, both close by. Recreational opportunities include kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and bicycling. The campground offers shoreline and off-water campsites, hot showers, flush toilets, a trailer dump station, a recycling center, a boat launch, canoe and boat rentals, and a picnic area. RSVPs are per tent, not per person. To reserve a spot, send a check for $29.50 made out to Campers‘ Group, to: Campers’ Group, 48 S. High Street Mt. Vernon, NY 10550. Once the organizer or a trip leader is notified of receipt of your check, you will be added to the RSVP list. For immediate inclusion, pay $30.65 via PayPal on the meetup.com page for this trip.
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June 9-11, Camping Trip, Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen NY Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks. Within two miles, the glen’s stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. Campers can enjoy the Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout. The park features three trails by which one can climb or descend the gorge. The Southern Rim and Indian Trails run along the wooded rim of the gorge, while the Gorge Trail is closest to the stream and runs over, under and along the park’s 19 waterfalls by way of stone bridges and more than 800 stone steps. The trails connect to the Finger Lakes Trail, an 800-mile system of trails within New York state. RSVPs are per tent, not per person. To reserve a spot, send a check for $33.50 made out to Campers‘ Group, to: Campers’ Group, 48 S. High Street Mt. Vernon, NY 10550. Once the organizer or a trip leader is notified of receipt of your check, you will be added to the RSVP list. For immediate inclusion, pay $34.71 via PayPal on the meetup.com page for this trip.
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June 16-18, Camping Trip, Eagle Point on Schroon Lake, Pottersville NY Join us for a great paddling and hiking weekend! Eagle Point Campground is located on the west shore of 4,230-acre Schroon Lake in the Adirondacks, about a half hour drive north of Lake George. The nine-mile-long, one-and-a-half-mile-wide, 152-foot-deep lake is paradise to all boaters. A variety of boating is available on Schroon and other lakes in the area. Inexpensive boat rentals and a boat launch are in the campground. If you have your own, motorboats, rowboats, canoes and kayaks are welcome at the park. For anglers, fish include lake trout, landlocked salmon, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, bullhead, and pickerel. An abundant amount of hiking is available at nearby Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, Hoffman Notch Wilderness and Vanderwacker Mountain Wild Forest. The campground has a beach, and the area is also popular for bicycling. Restaurants, antique shops, gift stores, and various craft shops are nearby in the quaint town of Schroon Lake. We have 4 sites reserved near the lake, but they can accommodate only 2 tents each, or 8 total, so please share if possible. RSVPs are per tent, not per person. To reserve a spot, send a check for $31 made out to Campers‘ Group, to: Campers’ Group, 48 S. High Street Mt. Vernon, NY 10550. Once the organizer or a trip leader is notified of receipt of your check, you will be added to the RSVP list. For immediate inclusion, pay $32.14 via PayPal on the meetup.com page for this trip.
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| Outdoors Consultant | Ken Q. | |
| Treasurer | Lillian W. | |
| Webmaster | David L. | |
| World-Wide Web home page: http://www.campersgroup.org | ||
