Best of the Appalachians near NYC?

[Yoyo]

My wife and I recently moved to the NYC area.  Any suggestions for places to hike/backpack along the AT within a couple hours drive of NYC?  I plan to explore upstate NY or the White Mountains next summer, but just looking to start exploring during this winter.  Thoughts?

[rick .]

I haven’t done the entire NY AT section, but, the GEM of hiking near NYC is Harriman Park.  Surprisingly beautiful place so close to the city.  I’ve hiked the AT thru there as a backpacking trip (south border of the park thru CT over two trips), and crisscrossed the park as day hikes too.  Its a web of trails and a unique spot in that part of the world (wild feeling, but cleared providing vistas).  There’s a few ways to get there by public transit if you need pointers that (even a bus > hike > train “thru-hike”!)  North East of the city is Fainstock sp – haven’t been there as much.

Also look into a set of the NYNJTC maps for West and East Hudson.  The Beacon, NY area has some great spots.  Storm King Mt and Breakneck Ridge are both solid day hike spots.  Breakneck can be reached by train, with a special platform at the trailhead, two weekend stops per day.

The NYNJTC also makes excellent maps for Catskills.  Adirondacks offer higher alpine experiences and more bald tops, but can be crowded and harder to access.  Worth it, just not as easily accessible as Catskills.

Going south, the Blue Mountain PA section of the AT is a nice ridgewalk, with dips down to the valley.

The east coast doesn’t often provide the day-long vistas of out west, there’s more chance views and peak-bagging

[Bob Moulder]

Good advice from Rick to start with Harriman State Park which offers a nice little slice of the AT and there are lots of other little trails and loops that will give you a taste of northeast rocks and ice and winter weather. And the NYNJTC maps are a good place to start looking.

I did an overnight trip there Wed-Thur and there was a little snow and lots of ice left over from the recent 6″ snowfall, but the warmth and rain of the last couple of days have probably obliterated the snow and left a lot more ice. Microspikes are definitely in order.

Suffern-Bear Mt Trail as of Thursday morning

[Katherine .]

I started my backpacking/hiking days in NYC. Love Fahrnestock for a day trips (note you can also rent cross country skis there too!). There’s some private/public space I’m trying to remember the name of…round about Katonah….Wards Pound Preserve maybe, for day hikes.

Catskills have great options. I particularly remember Panther Mountain — amazing view. And you get to use those wonderful NYNJ Trail conference maps!

Need to get back to NY / New England someday for an autumn trip.

[Author]

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