Hike 1: Staten Island Beach Hike: Starting at Conference House Park

Come discover a new and fascinating place!  Hike the beach around the southwestern tip of Staten Island, which offers outstanding views across the Arthur Kill and Raritan Bay.  We will start at Conference House Park, which contains several historic houses, foremost the park's namesake, which  famously hosted 1776 negotiations attempting to end the American Revolutionary War (spoiler alert: it didn't), attended by Ben Franklin and John Adams meeting the British admiral, Lord Howe.   Check  out http://conferencehouse.org for background.  The annual re-enactment is scheduled for the day of our hike; admission fee is $5.  Option for lunch on your own at the Coral Bay Cafe by the beach.  About 4 miles walking on the beach and paths. Wear shoes that you don’t mind getting a little wet. No flip-flops. Good balance required. Bring water. Steady rain cancels. 

Conference House Park, Staten Island: Saturday, September 6, 2025,10 am-1 pm (Rain date Saturday, September 13, 2025)

#1823 Hike 2: Delaware Water Gap: Starting at Mohican Outdoor Center

Moderately strenuous hike in the Delaware Water gap from the Mohican Outdoor Center (https://bit.ly/AMCmohican), which is operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club near Blairstown NJ. If you haven’t discovered the Mohican Outdoor Center, it is a real gem just a one-hour drive away. We will hike from the center to the Catfish Fire Tower, which may be open for climbing. The tower is about a 4 mile round-trip hike over rocky and, perhaps, muddy trails, with a 400-ft climb up to and along the Appalachian Trail and the Kittatinny Ridge, with a panoramic view of northwestern NJ. Good balance required. Hiking poles recommended. The hike ends at Catfish Pond on the center property. Take lunch to eat by the lake. After the hike, you can swim in the lake and rent canoes, weather permitting.  Participate at your own risk. There are even cabins for rent if you want to stay overnight. Steady rain cancels. 

Mohican Outdoor Center: Saturday, October 4, 2025,10 am-1 pm (Rain date Saturday, October 18, 2025)

#1824 Hike 3: Watchung Reservation Hike and Tour of Deserted Village

Did you know there is a ghost town very near that you can tour for free? It's located in Watchung Reservation in Union County, it’s called Feltville or the Deserted Village. The combination general store and church is sometimes open, and you can view several workers' houses from outside – most of which are, alas, in serious disrepair.   We will visit the cemetery and ruins of a dam and mill, too.   Read more at https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/deserted-village. The tour of the "deserted village" is short distance-wise and flat but there is a hill and dirt trail down to the site of the old mill. Following our time touring the deserted village (60-90 minutes), we will begin our nature hike around Lake Surprise. The hike is about 3 miles over some rocky/muddy trails. You must have good balance. Hiking poles recommended. The hike will take about 2 hours -- less if we walk fast.  Bring water and a snack for the hike. Steady rain cancels.