Week 12- Glazier Arboretum, Chappaqua

Monday March 19th Adam, myself, and Cooper headed over to Chappaqua to what we anticipated would  be a casual walk around a pretty park of trees. Pretty, trees, and a suprisingly challenging walk for his hamstring pull and the exceeding warm temperatures for Mid March. As depicted in the photos, the first signs of Spring were blooming.  It was a beautiful place that was tucked into an affluent residential neighborhood, and abutting a golf course.  We were the only people in the place, and the trails were moderately challenging somewhat due to the lack of traffic, and hence lack of upkeep of the trails.  At times we weren't sure if we were following the right path because of the branches and growth under our feet.  Cooper had no complaints, and really we didn't either. Well except for when I ended up in a bog, picture not forthcoming.

Week 11, Kingsland Park, Sleepy Hollow

I am a few weeks behind on reporting, but pretty good on the physical end of my bargain. Week 11, which actually took place on March 17th was fairly uneventful, and a narrow escape from no excursion at all. Bingo and I were together, and Bingo seems to not want to walk much at all these days. I decided to take him to this park because it has, if all else failed....a dog run for the socially dominant, leash resistant canines. We didn't do much else while there. As I tried to explore the riverside public space, Bingo pulled me in the the opposite, familiar direction.  I wanted to make my way closer to the beach and light house but never did either. There were plenty of families set up for a day of barbecuing and dancing and/or soccer playing.  Maybe another time.

Week 10- Kitchawan Preserve, Kitchawan

Friday morning Adam and I finally made it out to hike before the day got away from us. We went with Cooper (sad Bingo) to Kitchawan Preserve, Rt. 134 very nearby on the Taconic.  The Preserve was touted as being the supreme dog off leash location to the chagrin of some and to our distinct liking! We had a nice time, mainly because it was a bright blue sky and a crisp day.  The paths weren't challenging except for portions of the Ledge Trail, mildly ledgy with beautiful moss covered stones (see photos). We searched in vain for the Quarry Ridge Trail, but we completed the Hemlock Ravine Trail, which had some towering beautiful Hemlocks for sure! The only downer was when we came upon the largest peaks around...they were power towers and lines that we found on the other side of the preserve. A necessary evil to the landscape I suppose, sure wish we could paint them green at least. We supposedly hiked 2.4 miles but it didn't feel like that much.  Maybe we are just getting in super trek shape! Check out the dog in photo number 3!

Week 9 - Hardscrabble Wilderness Area, Pleasantville

It was a saturday, and my dad joined me.  The stress of Cooper's anxiety in the car, was matched and surpassed by the pleasurable time he experienced on the trails. It was doggy heaven on earth. From the moment we arrived, canines with family in tow were abound and bounding around. We had a great time too, my dad was either carving wood, knocking down trees (diseased ones of course), building or adding to  rock cairns (see photos). I loved this hike! We were so close to my sister's house that I will be revisiting this place with family for sure! In fact, tomorrow (second hike this week) I am going to take Cooper back, cairn to join? We trekked the white trail - 1.5 miles, with Cedars and Oaks, and the yellow trail, covering a total of about 2 miles. We crossed streams, skipping along rocks while Cooper hurdled back and forth over the long stretches of rock walls.  Coming up...Kitchawan Preserve.  It was a true gift to have my dad with me!

Week 8 - Rockefeller State Park Preserve - Peggy's Way

I am much better at completing my hikes than completing the journaling of them...I was always envious of my friends who had volumes of diaries. I have this and it beats anything I  wrote about at as a heartbroken teen in my estimation! So on Saturday February 25th I walked this path with Bingo, who alone accompanied me.  We had fun exploring, really with no map just careful attention to detail in case we needed to backpedal. I remembered being told that I could enter the Preserve through Weber Park, a residential community off route 9, right past the intersection of 443. If you stay straight the road ends at a pretty park which if you stay straight, ends at a gate of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.  We passed partially through the cemetery and found a gate up above that led us to a portion of the aqueduct and beyond, the Preserve. It was a different area of the preserve, which I had wanted to reach including Peggy's Way. See Photo below.  It was a mild, but super windy morning so not many people were out around large over hanging trees...don't know why ;).
We enjoyed the curves and rushing water under beautiful archways and stone bridges.  We also came across a branch that on the ground, looked identical to camouflage print, that is supposed to be identical to the trees.  It was beautiful, but too heavy to lug around, so see the photo below. Bingo and I passed through portions of the Pocantico River trail (which I want to navigate in full), Peggy's Way and Big Tree Trail. We were out for about an hour and a half, due partially to the trek into the park. We had a grand old time.  Please be patient I will catch up with my March posting soon!!!!!

LOVE

Week 7 - Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River

I absolutely made the hands down, best New Year's Resolution!! I love Hiking and I love doing it every week. This past Friday (its a long weekend, so my blog got in before my week'end' deadline thanks to all Presidents), Adam, Cooper, and I learned Ward Pound Ridge Reservation indeed exists.  The name rang a bell when I first read about it, but I had no idea the size or location of the park.  It spreads over 30 miles, and allows CAMPING!!!! There are even shelters to camp in (three sided with fireplaces). We have to go back of course because amenities also include an art gallery, trailside museum, and both marked and unmarked trails.  Historical note..The Park was once the base for a unit of the Civilian Conservation Corps, much evidence of their work remains including the lean-tos that we will camp in.  The office staff were very helpful in determining which trail would best suit our time constraints (we snuck while the kids were in school). Once again the weather was on our side, in the 50s and no prying winds. We did a 2.6 mile trek (yellow trail) located off the first turn off the main, Reservation Road.  The woods are certainly more mature and thick in Cross River.  We saw people in the parking lot, but never encountered anybody actually on the trail, another amazing perk! There are at least 10 different marked trails, and marked well. They range from the short distance we did, up to 6 miles. And they are all loops, intersecting at times to broaden ones choices and expand the fun. I want to hike them all, twice! Next trip we will manage to get out the door much earlier with kids in tow.

Week 5 and Week 6 - Rockefeller Preserve- 13 Bridges Loop

When I said 52 hikes in 52 weeks, did I ever state that I would complete one hike a week? Well I officially blew it if I did. To get back on track though I hiked twice this week, twice in 24 hours as a matter of fact.  And although it was the same hike twice, I trekked it with a different awesome person, and a different awesome dog each time.
I owe
the Park Supervisor at Rockefeller a big thank you. He kept me on the phone with so much great information before I decided to follow his advice. The 13 Bridges Loop is one of many trails at the Preserve that has many different access points (see week 3 of blog). Important I guess since the Rockefeller Preserve covers 50 miles in total!!!! This particular trail is easily reached by parking on Webber Ave. in Sleepy Hollow.
The hike has some graduated hills in it, but no incline greater than a horse and carriage could climb, that's how the park was designed. It also has 13 bridges!  LOVELY, with mature dense forest, and a beautiful Brook. 2 miles plus, that took us one hour and 20 minutes to complete at a nice pace. By we,  Adam and I plus Cooper on day 1 of hike, and me and my sis (Dee!) with Bingo on day 2 of hike. So I hope that hearing about Rockefeller interests you, if not it will by hike 52, I just know it! Oh and this 80 minute brisk walk today followed a 90 minute workout at the Gym with Dee...we rock!!!!!!!