• Mary on Frequently Asked Questions: I think there are two ways to enter- but entering at Quaker lake road by French lake you will see a little boardwalk and then following the blue trail you will come to an open field with a pretty view - I think these might be accessible from the other…
  • Efrem Miller on Giant Stairs (Palisades): Mike, I have to thank you and apologize. I skimmed through your pics and got "lost". Instead of turning left at the A trail intersection leading to the crossroad where you see the sign for the women's monument, forest trail and Giant steps, I made a right on the C…
  • Mike on Frequently Asked Questions: Thank you, Mary! If there's a certain destination or trail that you recommend in the reserve, please let me know. Appreciate you reaching out and sharing!
  • Mary on Frequently Asked Questions: Check out the Pawling Nature Reserve- I believe there are a few different trails within it!
  • Mike on Frequently Asked Questions: Thank you so much, Mary! Absolutely, I’ve found some of my favorite hikes that way, including many of those documented here. Would love to hear your recommendations!
  • Mary on Frequently Asked Questions: I’m so appreciative of this website and have been using it for years to choose hikes to try! Do you accept recommendations for hikes to check out? I’ve done a few recently that I didn’t see here- but I think they would be great additions!
  • Mike on Mt. Beacon: Sorry the trip didn't go exactly as planned, Efrem, but it sounds like you made the most of it. Enjoy your next adventure out there when you come back!
  • Mike on North-South Lake: North Point: Sorry for my late reply here, Efrem! I've run into the exact situation you've described here (and I talk about it in more detail in my Newman's Ledge trail guide) when the parking lot described above is closed for the winter. You *can* park near the dam and walk on…
  • Mike on Turkey Mountain Nature Preserve: That's great to hear, Christine! So glad you had a great hike out there, and really appreciate your kind words about this site. Thanks for taking the time to brighten my day. Happy adventures to you!
  • Christine on Turkey Mountain Nature Preserve: Hi Mike, I completed this hike today! What a nice little hike! Drove up from NYC with a friend, took about 90 mins to hike, and had an amazing brunch at "tasty table" about 15 mins away! I just wanted to say thank you for all your posts! I have…
  • Mike on Nuclear Lake: Hi, Ralph! I just re-read the trail guide above, and can't find the reference to plutonium still being there (though there are plenty of jokes about the probable lack of plutonium, which I suppose could imply the possibility). I did include snippets and links to any relevant information I could…
  • Ralph Bressler on Nuclear Lake: So, you mention there is still plutonium there. How much? How long can you stay in the area without being affected? If this is true, why do they let anyone hike there and why are you promoting it?
  • Efrem on Mt. Beacon: I wasn't paying attention and missed the tower which led me to the Wilkerson Memorial Trail ("WM"). I didn't realize I might be lost until I stood on a rock, looked to the left and noticed the tower in the far distance. WM was more difficult than the North-Point Trail…
  • Mike on Nuclear Lake: I feel like I've missed out on a Hudson Valley rite of passage by never having an encounter with this person. She sounds quite interesting! Hope you had a great day out there otherwise, Michael!
  • Mike on Anthony’s Nose: Thanks so much for the helpful update, Alison! I've updated the trail guide above (Step 5) with a pointer down to your comment. Very much appreciated!
  • Mike on Croton Gorge Park: Hi Matthew -- that sounds like a wonderful time to be there, but I'm guessing that it's not possible to gain access before the park opens. If anyone has information to the contrary (or if you've found out anything since you posted this question, Matthew), please share it with us…