Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Where I've Been: Breakneck Ridge

It's hard to get my hiking fix in New York, but luckily it's not impossible. Like most things in this city, you just have to dig a little to find hidden gems. And that's what Breakneck Ridge is—a little gem that no one tells you about. (Of course, that might because most New Yorkers couldn't care less about hiking ...)

Two up-for-anything friends and I traveled on the Hudson line on MetroNorth for about an hour and 20 minutes to the Breakneck Ridge stop. It wasn't a traditional "stop" though; we were dumped out on the side of the tracks ... literally. But we found the trail and started the hike. Or more accurately, the climb. We bouldered straight up for the first, oh, 45 minutes.

Six hours, two peaks and a 3-hour jaunt through the dense forest later, we made it back to the train tracks, just in time for one of the last trains to leave and take us back to the city.

I've done plenty of hikes, but this one trumps some of my Oregon favorites. High praise!

Here's Breakneck Ridge:











2 comments:

sulu-design said...

I'm glad you went and glad that you liked it so much. I have a very unflattering photo of my rump from below as I'm climbing those rocks you've pictured. I do love that hike. Looks like you did alright with the post-hike stop, too... I see pint glasses.

rachel. said...

oh yeah. we stopped in beacon on the way back and enjoyed a few pints. it never tasted so good! we're planning on heading back to beacon to check out some art installations after thanksgiving. can't wait!