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Campers' Group Bulletin - Spring 2018 |
I have heard it said that winter, too, will pass, that spring is a sign that summer is due at last. See, all we have to do is hang on. - Maya Angelou
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Sunday, April 22, Hike then Dinner/Meeting, Rhodes North Tavern, Sloatsburg NY A late morning hike has been planned in Harriman State Park for before the Dinner/Planning Meeting. The hike will climb to scenic Pine Meadow Lake and to several panoramic viewpoints along the Ramapo Escarpment. This moderate 6 mile circuit hike should take about 4 to 5 hours. Hiking boots are required; trekking poles are suggested. Please bring a pack with lunch or energy snacks, and about 2 liters of water. Meet at the Ramapo Equestrian Center, 1152 Haverstraw Rd, Suffern, NY 10901. Rhodes North Tavern is a very popular bar/restaurant that has a large and varied menu, a friendly staff, and a 3rd floor dining room just for us. Meet us at about 5:00 pm, and we'll enjoy a meal together before we discuss and decide details on future trips. The Tavern address is 40 Orange Turnpike, Sloatsburg, NY 10974. Additional hike details are available on the Meetup page. Please RSVP on Meetup.com for this event. This event is accessible by public transportation. We can make arrangements to pick you up for the hike at the Suffern train station. The Tavern is about a 6 minute walk from the Sloatsburg train station. *** Help us by volunteering to be an event host! *** If you have joined us on one or more of our outings in the past, we would greatly appreciate you helping us on a weekend or day event. If it is your first time, don't worry, we will partner you with a more experienced member, which will make it easy. We are a volunteer-run club that needs members to participate as event hosts. Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. ~ Elizabeth Andrew
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April 27-29, 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. RSVPS ARE PER TENT, NOT PER PERSON. To reserve a spot for one tent, send a check for $30.25 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 $31.25 via PayPal on the meetup.com page for this trip.
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Saturday, May 5, 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 35 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 at 10:00am 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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Sunday, May 6, Intermediate day hike, Indian Rock/Wanaque Ridge/Ramapo Lake Hike, Haskell NJ Join us for a moderately strenuous circuit (loop) hike that climbs to scenic Ramapo Lake and follows the Wanaque Ridge Trail along the western ridge of the Ramapo Mountains, with panoramic views of Wanaque Reservoir. Well-behaved dogs and their owners are welcome. Meet us at 10:00am at 1 4th ave, Haskell NJ. This is an intermediate hike of about 7 miles on hilly terrain. Parts of trail are rocky with a few short steep climbs and descents. Hiking boots are required; trekking poles are suggested. Portions of the trail can be muddy after rain. There is one stream crossing. We will also climb Fox Mountain to the old mansion and explore the Van Slyke Castle ruins. On a clear day the NYC skyline is visible from the lookout. Please bring a pack with lunch or energy snacks, and about 2 liters of water. Dogs must be leashed to begin the hike. When we reach a more remote area, dog owners can choose to let their dog off leash, if the dog is well-behaved and does not cause any danger to itself or others. Please be aware of your dog's whereabouts at all times! Please RSVP on the Meetup.com page for this event. Driving Directions to Trailhead: Take I-287 to Exit 55 (Wanaque/Pompton Lakes). Turn right at the bottom of the ramp onto Union Avenue, then turn left at the next light onto Ringwood Avenue (County 511), following the signs for Wanaque. Continue for 0.7 mile to the next light, and turn right onto Second Avenue. At a stop sign in 0.3 mile, turn left onto the Boulevard. At the next intersection, bear right to continue on Fourth Avenue. In 0.2 mile, where Fourth Avenue bears left, continue straight ahead on Back Beach Road and follow it to its end at a large parking area. Bus Transport: Take NJ Transit's #197 bus from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City to the intersection of Ringwood Avenue and Second Avenue in Wanaque. Walk east on Second Avenue to its end at the Boulevard, and turn left onto the Boulevard. At the next intersection, bear right to continue on Fourth Avenue. In 0.2 mile, where Fourth Avenue bears left, continue straight ahead on Back Beach Road and follow it to its end at a large parking area for Back Beach Park. The total distance from the bus stop to the trailhead is about 0.9 mile.
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May 25-28, Camping Trip, Fahnestock State Park, Putnam Valley NY Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park is a delight for outdoor enthusiasts. This 14,086 acre park, covering land in Putnam and Dutchess counties, boasts hiking trails including a nice section of the Appalachian Trail, a beautiful beach, picnic areas, campgrounds, and abundant opportunities for boating, swimming, fishing, and birding. Bring a kayak if you have one, or rent a rowboat or kayak at the boat dock. The park is also home to the Taconic Outdoor Education Center, which provides high quality environmental programming. We have reserved two large rustic group sites. This is area should be more private than the family campground, a little like backpacking, but you will have your car nearby! Unload your gear on the site, but then you must park your vehicle in designated parking areas approximately 50 to 300 feet away. Only water and port-o-johns are on site. Flush toilets and showers are available at the beach complex, a 5 mile / 10 minute drive to Canopus Lake, open from 9am to 7pm only. NOTE: We are staying in the group camping area, NOT the family campground, which will be closed until August for repairs. Campsite check-in is 3pm on Friday, check-out is 11am on Monday. Payment for this trip is per person, NOT per tent. The group site address is 295 Dennytown Rd Putnam Valley NY, an approximate location. GPS Coordinates are 41°25'28.5"N 73°52'05.5"W for the group site 4 entrance, where it may be best to park for non 4WD vehicles. You can also park at the AT trail head parking, near group sites 1 & 2. Group site 3 does not have parking at it's entrance, only a steep dirt/gravel road to unload gear, if you have 4WD. Please unload your gear and park in the designated parking areas. Please DO NOT leave your vehicle on the site near your tent. The park will have you move your vehicle. To reserve a spot for one person, send a check for $29.70 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 $30.83 via PayPal on the meetup.com page for this trip.
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June 1-3, 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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June 8-10, Camping Trip, Dark Sky Stargazing at Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport PA Due to its exceptionally dark skies, Cherry Springs State Park is one of the best places in the eastern U.S. for stargazing. Situated at 2296 feet above sea level in the largely undeveloped 265,000-acre Susquehannock State Forest, the Park's Astronomy Field offers an unobstruced 360-degree view. Cherry Springs is our "local" park for the science of astronomy, which is the study and observation of planets, nebulae, galaxies, stars, and other heavenly bodies. Cherry Springs can be cold and damp, even in the summer. Wear proper footgear and dress warmly. Lawn chairs, a blanket, binoculars, or a telescope may enhance your experience. When in the viewing field, all flashlights or headlamps should have a red filter. We have reserved rustic campsites. Only pit toilets are available in this park. Flush toilets and shower facilities are located at nearby Lyman Run State Park. All sites include a picnic table, lantern hanger, and fire ring. Quiet hours are from midnight to 9:00 AM. Pets are prohibited in the campground. To reserve a spot for one tent, send a check for $24.00 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 $24.94 via PayPal on the meetup.com page for this trip.
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June 15-18, Camping Trip, Letchworth State Park, Castile NY Letchworth State Park, renowned as the "Grand Canyon of the East," is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern U.S. The Genesee River roars through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs--as high as 600 feet in some places--surrounded by lush forests. Hikers can choose among 66 miles of hiking trails. Trails are also available for horseback riding, biking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Letchworth offers nature, history and performing arts programs, guided walks, tours, a summer lecture series, whitewater rafting, kayaking, a pool for swimming and hot air ballooning. Experiencing Letchworth is unforgettable; check this video clip. To reserve a spot for one tent, send a check for $47.50 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 $49.09 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 | ||