The Urban Trail Conference Inc. 

FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN, September 22

Sat., Sept. 24 - A WALKING TOUR in NORTHERN MANHATTAN. 3 miles at a moderate pace. Tour Northern Manhattan to see Swindler Cove Park, outstanding with its waterfront views, one of NYC's newest parks opened in 2003. We will see Sherman Creek and Jonathan Pond with a waterfall. The park has a wooden boathouse built in Norwalk, CT, which is anchored permanently at Swindles Cove. This is a tentative date for a festival also at this park. Bring lunch and water. Take # 1 train to Dyckman St Station and walk down the stairs from the station to the corner of Dyckman St and Nagle Ave and meet at 11:00 AM at park benches. Leaders: Sam and Esther Dorfman. Rain cancels. Joint hikes.

Sat., Sep. 24 - DYCKMAN STREET to 72ND STREET. 7-10 miles. Moderate pace, some hills and several flights of steps. There is only one drop-off point at 125th Street. Walk along the northern portion of the Hudson River path, see the Little Red Lighthouse, great views of the Hudson and the beautiful Cherry walk. Take A train to Dyckman Street. Meet on the north west corner of Dyckman and Broadway at 10:30 AM. Bring lunch and water. Leader: Leonard Morgenstern, 917-842-9490. Non-members: $3.

Sat., Sep. 24 - ALLEY POND ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER FESTIVAL. 5-6 miles on easy trails. We'll do the new trail and new refurbished park in Alley Pd. Park and continue to the Center for the festival until 3 PM. Lots of things and surprise guests. Bring lunch/water. NO SMOKING ON HIKE. Take E or F train (REAR CAR) to Kew Gardens stop. Then we board Bus #46 at 10:00 AM. Leader: Rolande Chapeau. Non-members pay one day dues $3. Free for first time participants.

Sat., Sep. 24 - SUNSET WALK in JERSEY CITY. 3+ miles, moderate steady pace. We'll explore a revitalized waterfront alongside Hudson River. Take PATH train from Manhattan to Pavonia-Newport and meet 7:00 PM outside station. Leader: John Carr, 347-886-3070. Bad weather cancels. Non-members pay one day dues $3. Free for first-time participants.

Sun., Sep. 25 - GREAT KILLS and MONARCH BUTTERFLIES. 5 miles, easy flat hike. See this Gateway National Park area with its woods, beaches, marinas and fishing areas. Bring lunch and water. Take 10:30 AM Ferry from Manhattan side. Please allow enough time for transportation delays or you may miss the boat. Meet leaders promptly at the SIRT station in the rear of the ferry terminal in Staten Island. We will take the S78 bus to Great Kills Park. Drivers and those not coming from Manhattan may call for instructions. Fare: 2 MetroCard fares. Leaders: Steve and Bettye Soffer, 718-720-1593, between 7:00 PM-9:00 PM.

Sun. Sep. 25 - PICNIC at the BOTANICAL GARDEN. Easy hike, about 3 miles, all flat. Meet at 11:00 AM at Grand Central Terminal, upper level near Information Booth, to take 11:23 Harlem Line train to Botanical Garden Stop. Or take #4 or D subways to Bedford Park Blvd. and walk east 7 blocks to Entrance to Garden and meet at 11:45. Bring lunch/water. The club will pay the entrance fee to the Garden for members of the New York Hiking Club in good standing. Members of other clubs are welcome, but they must pay their own entrance fee. Leader: Pat O'Malley, 212-924-7486, substituting for G. Glatz.

Sun., Sep. 25 - WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE. 7+ miles. A circuitous river-to-river walk ending up at 72nd Street and Riverside Drive. Through the Lower East Side, lunching at Chelsea Markets, rambling around Chelsea Piers and passing the Intrepid, we end up under Eleanor Roosevelt's Statue. Take the "J" train to Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn. (If you are coming from Manhattan, this is the first stop over the bridge.) Meet at 12 noon in front of McDonald's. Leader: Lauri Hewie, 718-455-3050 before 11:00 PM. Joint hike with Shore Walkers.

Wed., Sep. 28 - GREYSTONE (UNTERMEYER)/LENOIR PRESERVE and DRAPER PARK. 5 miles. Meet at 242nd St and Broadway (end of #1 subway) at 10:00 AM downstairs to take W2 bus to Tudor Woods. Fare: $1.75 (exact change/Srs. .85¢ each way. Leader: Pat O'Malley, 212-924-7486. Free for first time participants. Non-members $3.

Sat., Oct. 1 - THE BOARDWALK, THE BOARDWALK. From Nathan's to Seagirt, back to Brighton Beach for optional Russian meal and great shopping. Try it, you'll like it. Meet at Nathan's across from Stillwell Ave. Take D, F or Q trains. Carry lunch (snack) and water. Call leaders: Marty and Judy Mahler for meeting time between 6 PM and 8 PM week of the walk at 718/ 692-2854. Service fee for non-members is $3.

Fri., Oct. 7 - MASSAPEQUA PRESERVE. 2 to 3 miles. Meet at ticket windows of LIRR, Penn Station (lower level) to take 10:00 AM train. Fare: $6.75/$4.50 one way. Bring lunch/water. Leader: Pat O'Malley, 212-924-7486. Free for first time participants. Non-members $3.

Sat., Oct. 8 - OLD CROTON AQUEDUCT from Hastings to Irvington. 5 miles. Hike along the Old Croton Aqueduct and enjoy the scenery along the Hudson. See some of the beautiful homes along the Aqueduct. Bring lunch/water. Meet at 10:00 AM at Grand Central Station. Fare: $14.00 RT. Leader: Sal Varbero, 718-420-9569 or 917-825-7961 - 8-10PM only. Joint hike with Outdoors Club.

Sun., Oct. 9 - A SHORT HIKE on the LONG PATH. 3 to 4 miles at a slow pace. Easy hike on level ground. We will hike from Closter Dock Road to State Line Lookout. Easy hike overlooking the Hudson. Bring lunch and water. Meet at George Washington Bridge Bus Station at 10:15 AM to take the 10:40 bus. Take the A train to 175th Street and exit directly into the bus station. Fares: about $9. Round trip; about $4.50 R/T for seniors with New Jersey Transit coupon. Leader: David Konoson, 212-744-2282; call before 10:00 PM. Heavy rain cancels. Joint hike with other clubs.

Sun., Oct. 9 - NORMAN LEVY PARK and PRESERVE. 5 miles, easy hike. Explore this 50-acre environmental Masterpiece, featuring a working windmill circulating water to ponds. Also trails, exercise stations, a pier, varieties of plants/flowers, waterfowls and more. Fabulous unexpected views all around at fall foliage time. Bring lunch/water. NO SMOKING ON HIKE. From PENN Station LIRR lower level; board the 11:05 AM train to Freeport, from Flatbush at 10:48 (change at Jamaica) and from Jamaica at 11:28, arriving at 11:50 (TIME CHANGE, CHECK SCHEDULE). Leader meets you downstairs in station waiting room. Fare: $6.75 O/W, seniors $4.50. Leader: Rolande Chapeau. Non-members $3. Free for first time participants.

Thu., Oct. 13 - FT TRYON PARK/INWOOD HILL PARK. 3 miles. Meet at 11:00 AM at exit from A train on 190th St and Ft Washington Ave, across circle from Ft Tryon Park. Bring lunch and water. Leader: Pat O'Malley, 212-924-7486. Free for first time participants. Non-members $3.

Sat., Oct. 15 - MORRISTOWN and FREYLINGHUYSEN ARBORETUM GARDEN WALK/HIKE, New Jersey. 7-8 miles. Moderate steady pace, hilly, trails, road-walking, drop off point after 3 miles. We'll see lots of beautiful old homes and learn some history on our walk in Morristown. Bring lunch/water. Wear hiking boots/sneakers. Meet 9:30 AM to take train (Morristown Line) at NJ Transit windows in new 7th Avenue NJ Transit terminal. Buy one-way ticket to Morristown with a return from Convent Station. Heavy rain cancels! Leaders: Pat O'Malley, 212-924-7486 and Helen Mangione-Yee (Outdoors Club). Non-members: $3.

Sat., Oct. 15 - CHRYSANTHEMUMS and FALL FOLIAGE at the br ONX BOTANICAL GARDEN. Maybe 3 or 4 easy miles of walking altogether. Take the 10:23 AM Harlem Line train from Grand Central, arriving at the "Botanical Garden" station at 10:42. Meet at the Mosholu Gate at 10:45. Or, take the "4" or "D" subway to "Bedford Park Blvd," and then the #26 bus to the Garden. Admission to the Garden is free on Saturdays until noon. If driving, park in the lot by the station ($7.). o coordination of rides. Visit will end around 3 but, of course, you can leave earlier or stay later. Call or (preferably) email me beforehand to make sure that the walk is on. Bring lunch and beverage, or buy it in the cafeteria. Joint with AMC & Sierra Club. No pets. No smoking. Leader: Bob Susser, 212-666-4371; rsusser@aol.com.

Mon., Oct. 17 - WATERFRONT PARK, BOSCOBEL, Cold Spring. We go UPHILL passing antique stores and along road to Boscobel mansion and gardens. House tour $10./$9. Great view of Hudson River. Meet at Grand Central Station near Information to take 10:51 AM train to Cold Spring. Bring lunch/water. Fare: $10./$6.50 each way. Leader: Pat O'Malley, 212-924-7486. Free for first time participants. Non-members $3.

Sat., Oct. 22 - CENTRAL PARK - BIRD WATCHING for BEGINNERS. Moderate, 6 + miles, ups and downs. All skill levels welcome. Bring binoculars / field guides / lunch / water. Meet at 9:00 AM at the Loeb Boat House, a short walk from the Bethesda Fountain. Enter park at 72nd St. Leader: Jim Peborde, 718-352-0381, before 10:00 PM. Rain cancels. Joint hike. Free for first time participants.

Sat., Oct. 22 - SOUTH MOUNTAIN, Milburn, NJ. 9 miles on moderate trails and hills. Hiking trails, some hills and streams. Wear hiking boots. Bring lunch and water (at least 1 qt.). Heavy rain cancels. Get to PENN Station, NJ Transit to take 9:15 AM train to Milburn. Call to confirm time. Fare: $12. R/T. Leader: Judy Levine, 718-482-9659 after 8:30 PM. Joint hike with other clubs.

Sat., Oct 22 - TWIN LAKE, Eastchester. 7 mile, easy fall foliage hike with one hill. The rest is flat along five lakes and nature study woods crossing the Hutchinson River. Scenic. We continue to Larchmont Lake. Bring lunch/water. NO SMOKING ON HIKE. Take the Harlem Line to Crestwood at 10:25 AM (TIMES CHANGE, CHECK SCHEDULE), or board at 10:42 from Fordham, arriv. at 11:03. Fare: O/W $5.50, seniors $3.50. Return from Larchmont, $6./$4 (less from or to Fordham subway sta.). Leader: Rolande Chapeau. Non-members pay one day dues $3. Free for first time participants.

Sun., Oct. 23 - NISSEQUOGUE RIVER SPECIAL. Two options 6 or 10 miles. Moderate/brisk flat, hilly. Hike along hilly bluffs to Sunken Meadow with awesome view of Nissequogue River and LI Sound. Optional hike further south to Smithtown Landing. Bring water, lunch, and wear hiking boots. Rain cancels. From Penn Station take the 9:14 AM LIRR train to Kings Park. Fare: $19. R/T/Seniors $13. Leader meets group at Kings Park train station at 10:39 (TIME CHANGE, CHECK SCHEDULE). Leader: Quyen (Quinn) Pham, 631-234-5486, bet. 8PM - 10 PM and morning of hike. E: qwpham@yahoo.com. Joint hike with other clubs.

Wed., Oct. 26 - SPARKILL to NYACK. 6 + miles, steady, continuous pace, mostly flat, one steep climb. River views, Pier on Hudson, River towns. Rail to Trail to Nyack. Bring lunch and water. Meet at ticket windows at Port Authority Bus Terminal to take 10:15 AM coach bus to Sparkill or board bus at GWB Bus Station at 10:40 AM. Return trip from Nyack to GWB Bus Station. Leaders: Jim Peborde, 718-352-0381 and Pat O'Malley, 212-924-7486 before 9:00 PM. Joint hike. Rain cancels.

Sat., Oct. 29 - HEMPSTEAD LAKE STATE PARK. Circular 6 miles, easy, flat around the lakes. If you want to walk less, you can just sit down by the lake, it's a lovely place. Very impressive at fall time. Bring lunch/water. NO SMOKING ON HIKE. From PENN Station, lower level, board the LIRR West Hempstead Line train, at 11:14 AM to Lakeview, from Flatbush at 11:15 and from Jamaica at 11:36, arriv. 11:58 (TIME CHANGE, CHECK SCHEDULE). Fare: $6.00 O/W, seniors $4. MetroCard for bus. Leader: Rolande Chapeau. Non-members $3. Free for first time participants. Cars may park there.

Sun., Oct. 30 - STATEN ISLAND GREENBELT. Route to be selected. See early fall foliage. Take the 10:30 AM ferry from Manhattan. Meet leaders at the train station in the rear of the ferry terminal. Please allow enough time for transportation delays, or you may miss the boat. Bring lunch and water, hiking boots recommended. Leaders: Bettye and Steve Soffer, 718-720-1593, bet 7:00-9:00 PM. Heavy rain cancels. Joint hike with other clubs.

Fri., Nov. 4 - FLAT ROCK BROOK NATURE CENTER. 4 miles, some hills. Take A train to 175th St and meet in GWB bus terminal near NJ Transit ticket to take 11:15 AM #171 bus to Jones Road. Fare: about $3./$1.10 each way. Leader: Pat O'Malley, 212-924-7486. Free for first time participants. Non-members $3.

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