Sterling Ridge Hike

8 Mile Moderate/Challenging Hike in NY/NJ Highlands

Here are 20,000 acres of newly acquired parklands featuring mountainous cliffs, dense woodlands, lakes and marshes.

Traversing the Tuxedo Mountains, hike the ridgeline surrounded by dazzling vistas of the New York and New Jersey Highlands and beyond. At the top, climb the firetower for stunning views of the surrounding countryside and mountains. We will eat lunch in the shelter of the firetower cabin.

The brisk air and gorgeous scenery will invigorate you and you’ll get some great cardio and strength training over the eight miles of mountain ridge. The terrain is rocky and uneven—you need to be in decent shape for this hike. There will be a 300’ change in elevation over the eight miles.

Event Details

Bring Lunch and 2 liters water (minimum per person) in a backpack or hip pack
Wear Weather-appropriate athletic clothing (shell/jacket or similar outer layer, warm layers (fleece, wicking layer, anything other than cotton), comfortable athletic pants (not jeans), hat, gloves, scarf, hiking boots (or athletic shoes). A base layer of long johns (poly or silk) is a good idea, as well as an extra pair of socks. As we may encounter wet trails we strongly recommend hiking boots or trail runners, not tennis shoes. Bring more warm layers than you think you need—it is always colder and windier in the mountains than in NYC.
Note: We love comfy cotton clothes for lounging, but they just aren't the best thing for outdoor excursions. Why? Cotton holds moisture, gets heavy and loses its insulative properties. Wool is best, but any synthetic is better than cotton for hiking. Polyester, poly blends, polypropylene, DryWick, DryFIT—any of these will serve you better than cotton.
Departure Time 9:00 AM. Please arrive at 8:45 AM for check-in. Please check weekend subway schedules! Our trips leave on time.
Return Time Approximately 5:30 PM
Departure Location Our passenger vans depart from the NE corner of 73rd Street and Broadway—meet in front of Apple Bank (Subways to 72nd Street: 1,2,3)

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Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 3 - 4.

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.

Activity

How long (in hours) you may be active every day during the trip.
Distances

You should feel confident that you would be able to complete these distances every day of your trip.
Surfaces

What types of terrain you may encounter and should be prepared for on your trip.
Elevation Change

The largest elevation change you may encounter on your trip.
Altitude

The highest elevation you may reach on your trip.

Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 3 - 4.

Level 1

Laid-Back, Unhurried, Restful

Welcome to the outdoors! These trips are designed to introduce you to new challenges and new adventurers. Take in the scenery, tackle moderate elevation, experience some local flavor, and enjoy your day out of the office.

Activity

You can expect to be active for one to three hours. Take a long walk around Central Park to make sure you’re comfortable being outdoors and active for at least a two-hour period.
Distances

For our Level 1 trips, you’ll be walking or hiking less than three miles. Think about this distance in terms of the width of Manhattan. Walking from the Hudson to the East River via 14th street is just under two miles.
Surfaces

You’ll be walking on flat terrain. This means there will be limited rocks and a few tree roots.
Elevation Change

There will be little or no elevation change on this trip. To simulate the change in elevation, trying walking three flights of stairs and back.
Altitude

Less than 3,000 feet.

Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 3 - 4.

Level 2

Easy Active — Perfect for Active First-Timers

Level 2 trips will give you a taste of what hiking is all about. Test yourself on intermediate terrain, including light rock scrambles and ascending multiple peaks. The trips will invigorate you and inspire you to continue strengthening your hiking skills.

Activity

You can expect to be active for four to six hours. Prepare for the trip by jogging three miles around Central Park.
Distances

Plan on getting starter miles under your belt. You’ll be doing up to six miles on this trip. You can imagine this distance in terms of the full Central Park loop, which is 6.1 miles.
Surfaces

You’ll be hiking on rolling terrain. You can expect rock surfaces, steeps, roots and small boulders.
Elevation Change

There could be up to an accumulative 1,500 feet per day.
Altitude

From sea level to 6,000 feet.

Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 3 - 4.

Level 3

Moderate — for Novices and Above

Level three hikes will challenge you with a faster pace and longer distances. This hard work allows you to see more terrain and higher vistas. You should expect to be tired and fulfilled on the van ride home.

Activity

We’ll be out on the trails for five to eight hours. Prepare for this trip by maintaining your daily fitness regime that includes both cardio and strength.
Distances

Be ready to cover some serious distance. We may hike up to ten miles today before heading back to the city. This is the distance between Battery Park and Washington Heights in Manhattan.
Surfaces

We’ll be walking on rolling or mountainous terrain. This will require navigating various rock faces and trail conditions including steep inclines and uneven ground.
Elevation Change

There could be up to 2,000 feet per day.
Altitude

From sea level to 10,000 feet.

Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 3 - 4.

Level 4

Vigorous — Recommended for Fit Travelers with Basic Skills

Deep inside you is a desire to push past your limit. On these hikes you’ll be challenged by some of the steepest elevations and technical terrain available. These trips are for endurance athletes and those who wish to push their physical abilities.

Activity

You can expect to be active for six to nine hours. You can best prepare for a Level 4 trip by maintaining your intense fitness regiment, trying to get your mile time below 7 minutes, and hiking consistently on the weekends.
Distances

Level 4 hikes can be up to 16 miles. This is the distance between Wall Street and Yonkers.
Surfaces

These trails will be mountainous with exposed terrain, uneven trails and steep ascents/descents. Most hikes will require not only hiking boots but also additional gear like hiking poles and headlamps.
Elevation Change

There could be elevation change of up to 3,000 feet per day and possible altitude.
Altitude

From sea level to 14,000 feet.

Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 3 - 4.

Level 5

Strenuous — Very Fit or Experienced Travelers

Prepare yourself for the ultimate outdoor experience. If you yearn to touch the sky and think the rewards outweigh the risks and extreme conditions, this is what you’re looking for. Over the course of multiple days you will be called upon to prove you belong among the best.

Activity

You should be ready for at least ten hours a day of pain, challenge, and constant small victories.
Distances

You should expect to be hiking for at least twelve miles a day. Prepare for this by racing in triathlons, training for a marathon and up keeping your hiking skills.
Surfaces

On Level 5 trips you will be trekking in remote mountains with exposed terrain and loose features.
Elevation Change

There could be elevation change of 5,000 feet per day.
Altitude

Altitude change could also reach up to 14,000 feet.

This hike is Intensity Level 3-4. Read a full description of all levels.

Why Outdoor Bound?

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.

Outdoor Bound Sterling Ridge Hike

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