Multi-Day
Camp & Hiking Weekend in Taconic State Park
Hiking & cabin accommodations near waterfall; charming modern cabins
The perfect active weekend escape: “camping” in modernized rustic cabins, cooking over a fire pit, two days of skyline route hiking!
Our destination is Taconic State Park, at the junction of New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. We will hike 16 beautiful miles of ridges, peaks and valleys over the course of the weekend, enjoying sweeping multi-state vistas and the lush splendor of azaleas, mountain laurel, dogwood, beech and hemlock. We will be staying close to a 1,000-foot waterfall that can only be described as spectacular!
Nestled in the woods, our three cabins with screened-in porches sleep four people in separate beds; the cabins are heated, with electricity, lights, bathroom and sink, with a nearby showerhouse. The cabins are close to the creek and nestled in the woods.
We depart Friday at 5:00 PM and arrive in time for a twilight hike around the falls and campfire.
The Hikes
Saturday we will hike Alander Mountain, Brace Mountain and Mount Frissell. Our total distance will be nine miles today! We’ll get an early start and rest as needed along the way. Atop these peaks, you will have amazing views of the Berkshires and Mt. Washington State Forest. Starting at 1,000 feet, we will climb to 2,250 feet at Alander Mountain, follow a high ridgeline to Brace Mountain at 2,230 feet, then finally Mount Frissell at 2,453 feet.
Sunday we will hike to Sunset Rock for stunning views of eastern New York. On a clear day, you can see the Catskill Mountains! Today’s hike will be four miles, with an elevation change of 788 feet.
Event Details
- Friday, September 5 Depart Manhattan at 5:00 PM (73rd and Broadway, Northeast corner)
- Saturday, September 6 Hiking 16 miles over moderate and strenuous trails. Campfire, dinner, drinks...
- Sunday, September 7 Moderate seven-mile hike; return to Manhattan around 7:00 PM.
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Package Details
Includes
- Round-trip transportation from Manhattan
- Modern cabin accommodations
- Experienced, knowledgeable and friendly Outdoor Bound guide
- Meals: Friday snacks, Saturday (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and Sunday (breakfast and lunch)
- Two beautiful hikes
Does Not Include
- Evening meal on the road Friday (snack will be provided)
- Bedding and towels—please bring a sleeping bag, pad and towel
Three-day escape with energizing hiking
Friday > Arrive at Cabins
Shrug off the city and ease into a woodland weekend. Leaving at the end of the workday, we’ll arrive at our cabins in time for a twilight hike session. Our destination is at the juncture of New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut and is the first Registered Natural Historical Landmark.
We’ll enjoy snacks and relax around a campfire. Cabins have screened-in porches, electricity, hot and cold running water, flush toilets, a kitchen with a refrigerator and stove, a dining area, a picnic table and outdoor camp fire ring with grill. The showerhouse is located nearby.
Settle in early, for a full day awaits on Saturday!
Saturday > Invigorating hiking
Today we will rise early, and have the splendor of the forked, 1,000-foot waterfall to ourselves for a morning stretches. Crashing water is our backdrop as we marvel at the huge boulders near the falls. The emerald pool is encircled by a crescent-shaped cliff and boulders.
A packed lunch in hand, we will set off for our eight-mile or optional 16-mile skyline trek to two peaks and views of several more. Our first 3.5 miles will be a steady ascent through oak and hemlock groves to the first peak, where we will rest and enjoy amazing views of several states. We will pass through groves of azalea and mountain laurel and 360-degree views. If you’re ready for more, a challenging descent and we continue on to the next peak. This is a more measured ascent, over wavy-patterened schist outcrops. Our total ascent will be 2,500 feet.
We return along the same trails and settle in for dinner and relaxing around the campfire—perhaps a visit to the stream and falls for a secretive dip.
Sunday > Rejuvenating seven-mile hike
We’ll enjoy a relaxed breakfast, pack up, then set out for a moderate seven-mile hike.
This trail takes us in the opposite direction of Saturday’s hike; we’ll climb 788 feet over four miles. Wooded slopes, and dramatic openings will provide rest stops as we gaze over forests of oak and maple. A hump-backed outcrop at 1,788 feet shows sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and the Catskill mountains, some 50 miles away. At 1,788 feet will be our pinnacle view of the day, near the New York-Massachussets boundary. We’ll lunch atop the mountain.
The moderate descent takes us back to our campsite and our return to Manhattan. We’ll grab snacks along the drive home.
You will feel healthy, restored and rejuvenated after this weekend!
Intensity Levels
This event or trip is Intensity Level 4.
You need to be a fit hiker for this trip. You don’t need to be an expert yogi, however...curious beginners are welcome!
Overview > Adventures at All Skill Levels
We offer adventures for everyone, no matter what your skill level. This guide will help you decide which trip is right for you.
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Activity
How long (in hours) you may be active every day during the trip.
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Distances
You should feel confident that you would be able to complete these distances every day of your trip.
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Surfaces
What types of terrain you may encounter and should be prepared for on your trip.
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Elevation Change
The largest elevation change you may encounter on your trip.
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Altitude
The highest elevation you may reach on your trip.
Level 1 > Laid-Back, Unhurried, Restful
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Activity
1 – 3 hours
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Distances
Walk or hike less than 3 miles
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Surfaces
Flat terrain
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Elevation Change
Little or none
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Altitude
Less than 3,000 feet
Level 2 > Easy Active — Perfect for Active First-Timers
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Activity
2 – 5 hours
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Distances
Hike up to 6 miles, cycle 10 – 30 miles most days
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Surfaces
Flat or rolling terrain with some steeps possible
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Elevation Change
Up to 1,500 feet per day
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Altitude
Up to 6,000 feet
Level 3 > Moderate — for Novices & Above
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Activity
4 – 6 hours most days
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Distances
Hike up to 10 miles, cycle 20 – 40 miles most days
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Surfaces
Rolling or mountainous terrain with some steeps
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Elevation Change
Up to 2,000 feet per day
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Altitude
Up to 10,000 feet
Level 4 > Vigorous — Recommended for Fit Travelers with Basic Skills
Experience required.
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Activity
5 – 8 hours most days
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Distances
Hike up to 12 miles, cycle 30 – 50 miles most days
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Surfaces
Mountainous, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
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Elevation Change
3,000 feet per day
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Altitude
Up to 14,000 feet
Level 5 > Strenuous — Very Fit or Experienced Travelers
Experience required; doctor’s release may be required (if so, will be noted in trip description).
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Activity
10 plus hours per day
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Distances
Hike 12 or more miles, cycle 50 miles most days
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Surfaces
Remote mountainous, exposed terrain with steep ascent and descents, uneven trails with loose features
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Elevation Change
Up to 4,000+ feet per day
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Altitude
May well exceed 14,000 feet
Accommodations
The cabins have hot and cold running water, bathroom, and kitchen with stove and oven and are heated. The cabins have five or six rooms. There are single beds in each cabin and a separate living room area. Participants need to bring their own sleeping bag and towels.
Based on the gender mix, there may be men and women in the same cabin, but everyone will have their own bed.
Outside, there are fire pits for our blazing campfires.
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Other Trips in This Category
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- White Mountain Memorial Weekend Expedition
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Bringing a Friend or Two?
Please be sure to enter the total number of people in the Qty box. In addition, be sure to include your friends’ names and cell-phone numbers on the final Checkout page. The final discount price is the price per person, multiplied by the Qty you enter.
Reminder about Winter Trip Conditions
We closely monitor snow, ice and related weather conditions before each trip. Lack of snow or similar, unsatisfactory weather/trail/river conditions may lead to changes to the trip or rescheduling or cancellation.
Please consult the individual trip description or Event Calendar for notice of any such changes. Refer to our full Policies page for more information about reservations and cancellations.
