Day Trips
Raccoon Brook Hike

Nine Miles of Rugged and Varied Terrain!

The Raccoon Brook Hill Hike is notable for the marvelous diversity of its terrain and scenery. Join us as we climb to several high vantage points for fine views of the countryside and changing leaves.

Throughout the hike, pass large boulders, wander through mountain laurel tickets, glimpse understories of blueberry bushes and cross intermittent streams. As you continue to climb, you will reach a rock ledge covered in scrub oak and pitch pine with a dramatic overlook of Harriman State Park to the southwest. After one more particularly steep climb (there is a wooden ladder in place to help in one of the steepest parts) you will reach the summit of Raccoon Brook Hill at 1,150 feet.

The top of the mountain is the halfway point in the hike and has several breathtaking views of the valley and lakes below. From here, we will descend to the rolling waters of Pine Meadow lake for a lunch break. The lake was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934 and was designed to serve children’s camps that would be developed around the lake, but these camps were never established and so the lake is left for visitor’s coming into the park on foot to enjoy. Cross over the Pine Meadow Dam to continue on the rest of the hike, which follows the babbling Stony Brook and is a particularly scenic route back to the visitor’s center.

Event Details

• Bring Your lunch and 2 liters of water (minimum per person) in a day pack.
• Wear Hiking boots. Dress to be comfortably cool. You will get warm while hiking. Store extra layers in your pack.
• Departure Time 8:00 AM. Meet at 7:45 for check-in.
• Return Time Approximately 5:00 PM
• Departure/Return Location Our passenger vans depart from the northeast corner of 73rd Street and Broadway. Meet in front of Apple Bank. Subways 1,2,3 to 72nd Street. Return to same location.

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Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 3.

Experienced, Fun & Qualified Guides

From cycling across the United States to leading horse treks through New Zealand to scaling Nepalese peaks, Outdoor Bound guides have real-world outdoor experience. Collectively, they have hiked, biked, climbed and kayaked tens of thousands of miles around the globe.

Whether their professional backgrounds are as teachers, personal trainers, artists, environmentalists or business leaders, they all have an extensive knowledge of the natural world and local history. Each guide has also passed a rigorous guide certification program and is trained in wilderness first aid or as a Wilderness First Responder.

Diverse & Interesting Groups

There is no typical Outdoor Bound participant. While ages typically range from 20 to 50, those who come to experience outdoor adventure range from singles to couples, from lawyers to waiters. They are a mix of women and men. While the group is always diverse, you will certainly feel welcome. Our guides go the extra mile to make the atmosphere of each trip social and fun. Many people in the Outdoor Bound community have forged lasting friendships as a result of our trips.

New Experiences

Skydiving, ice-climbing, hot-air ballooning, skiing and hiking every weekend are just a few of Outdoor Bound’s year-round adventures. These trips are accessible to everyone, including the novice, who might feel a little uneasy, the young urban professional trying to get away and even the adrenaline junkie looking for a new rush.

Environmental Awareness

“Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures,” is the Leave No Trace motto embraced by Outdoor Bound. From purchasing bamboo T-shirts to printing with soy-based inks on recycled paper, Outdoor Bound strives to create the least environmental impact possible while on trips and in the office.

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