Come this summer, you’ll have a whole new way to experience and explore Harriman State Park.
Picture this: you leave the city on Friday afternoon, catching the Metro-North train out to Tuxedo, New York. The hiker’s shuttle is waiting for this late train, waiting to take you to your little camp in the woods.
Through the park you go, passing several lakes and ponds along the way before you finally reach the AMC camp at Breakneck Pond. The sun’s a long way from setting, though; you’ll check in to your rustic cabin — it overlooks the lake — then settle in at a long communal table for family-style dinners (passed around in large casserole dishes).
Trailhead near Crawford Notch in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The new AMC camp at Breakneck Pond in Harriman State Park sits between the Long Path and the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail, so a hiker disembarking the afternoon train at Suffern could pick up the trail, overnight at the Stone Memorial Shelter, then continue to Breakneck Pond and camp in the morning for an overnight there and ride back to the train the next day. Cool!
You might not know your fellow campers, but at least you know you have something in common: a love of the outdoors, of hiking, of hearing the hoot-owl in the deep night, way across the pond, camping and more stuff.
Finally, an outdoor shop in the park. A place to be with fellow campers, or just by yourself. A lodge by the lake.
The Appalachian Mountain Club, famous in New England for backcountry hospitality, lodges and huts but lesser known in these parts, will at last be opening its doors at Breakneck Pond in Harriman to overnighters in July of this coming year.
I have to admit, I had never stayed in a hut or lodge run by the AMC until January. With the first snow of winter, I made the four-hour drive from Tarrytown to Crawford Notch in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and stayed a few nights at AMC’s flagship lodge, the Highland Center. I wanted to see how well they do what they do.
What I loved: Warm beds and showers. The enormous, vaulted dining room, the food and company of fellow hikers and cross-country skiers. Local beers served with dinner. An outdoor shop, with useful and durable gear, that rivals anything within fifty miles of Harriman. And some of the best hiking in the Northeast right outside the door.
This is the AMC’s “flagship” lodge — the Highland Center — in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire. Inside you’ll find a warm welcome, great food, an outstanding outdoor shop (Buffs! Ibex hiking shirts! Free-to-borrow snowshoes! Yak trax! etc.) and some very friendly people.
This is coming to Harriman this year, and I believe it will be a game-changer. And I mean this in a good way. The AMC has been the custodian of great outdoor experiences for nearly a century, and the fact that the park has granted them the only 40-year lease within its borders says a lot about the esteem in which the AMC is held.
The park, and the people to whom the park was gifted, will be able to enjoy the same authentic back-country experience that New Englanders have been loving for years. I can’t wait.
The AMC operates a shuttle through the White Mountains. MyHarriman will be providing the shuttle from the train station in Tuxedo to the camp in 2016. Do you like these little shuttle stop badges? Maybe the park will let us put them up!
You can read more about the AMC’s newest camp at Harriman here. I quickly joined up with an annual membership once I’d stayed at the Highland Center (family memberships are $75.00/year and give you a 20% discount on overnight stays, among other benefits).
I’ll be spending the next few posts on telling you about the project at Breakneck. Next: THE TRAILS FROM BREAKNECK
This sounds great. There are a couple empty buildings including the old Sloatsburg Post Office on Rt. 17 that would make a great store for hiking gear, local granola, coffee, and other outdoor recreation products!
the hardware store is also available; it’s located next to the PO building
I am working with the AMC coordinating a two day, two night OPENING WEEKEND stay for Trail Runners and Hikers. I can old hold rooms in groups of 16, but if all 16 people stay in one cabin, the cost is only $36-$40 for both nights!! (Friday July 1 and Saturday July 2) I am also in negotiation for food pricing.
The plan is to coordinate with both Runners and Hikers events Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday will be a welcome, Saturday will be various runs and hikes host by experienced people (if you are experienced and want to lead a run or hike, please let me know). We are thinking about a special event on Saturday night (e.g. if allowed a bon fire), or other things.
Please be aware that this is the first time that the Appellation Mountain Club has opened overnight cabins in New York.
If you are interested, please let me know, I will be collecting monies in advance since I need to pay in one check and in advance to secure the Cabins. This will be a lot of fun!!
We will coordinate picking people up at the Suffern Train stop for people coming from NYC. The cost will only be $5 one way.
Contact Gary Scarano 914 907 2785 gary@reachoutcom.com
Gary, this is a great idea. I might try to horn in on this!
Dear running and hiking friends:
I have receive many notes from people saying that the 4th of July Weekend does not work for them. As a result, I have changed the dates of this weekend to July 15-17th, Friday to Sunday. Please forward this to your other running and hiking friends.
I am coordinating with the AMC a two day, two night OPENING WEEKEND stay for Trail Runners and Hikers. I am holding 2 cabins in groups of 16 bunk beds each, but if all 16 people stay in one cabin, the cost is only $36-$40 for both nights!! (Friday July 15 and Saturday July 16). I have already received a confirmation for at least one cabin of 16 with an option for a second, total 32 bunk beds.
The plan is to coordinate with both Runners and Hikers events Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday will be a welcome, Saturday will be various runs and hikes hosted by experienced people (if you are experienced, know the area, and want to lead a run or hike, please let me know). We are thinking about a special event on Saturday night (e.g. if allowed a bon fire), or other things (Share our best running / hiking stories?). Of course the runs will be host by different pace people and different distances.
Please be aware this is the first time that the Appellation Mountain Club has opened overnight cabins in New York on the Appalachian Trail.
If you are interested, please let me know, I will be collecting monies in advance since I need to pay in one check and in advance to secure the Cabins. This will be a lot of fun!!
AMC is offering a shuttle to the Harriman Outdoor Center with pick ups at the Tuxedo Park Station (7 miles from the camp). This will allow commuters from NY City direct access to Harriman Outdoor Center. For those traveling by car, there will be a parking lot located just below the Main check-in Lodge.
I now have the food pricing, which is very reasonable. I was at the Cabin on Fire Island and the food was great, the people were great, it was a fantastic weekend and so will this be.
Food Pricing
Breakfast $11.00 (per meal)
Dinner $23.00 (per meal) (Total $32)
Since we will have events during the day, I don’t recommend you purchase Lunch, which is a simple deli set up for $11.50, but that is up to you. There will be grills there and limited refrigerator space for people that want to bring you own stuff.
Again, I will need to pay for all meals in advance, so first, please confirm that you are coming, and then you can pay for your stay and weekend in advance. Full payment is due to AMC May 1.
Please let me know of your interest!!!!
THIS IS AWESOME
Suzy: As you know, AMC is offering a shuttle to the Harriman Outdoor Center with pick ups at the Tuxedo Park Station (7 miles from the camp). This will allow commuters from NY City direct access to Harriman Outdoor Center. For those traveling by car, there will be a parking lot located just below the Main check-in Lodge.
Sounds great, but what about the prospect of taking the shuttle (for a fee, obviously) and then hiving out on one’s own to camp elsewhere in the park?
You can definitely do that. The tux Cito Harriman shuttle should be running again this summer.
james graft You are absolutely correct!!! You can take the shuttle. 🙂
I now have the food pricing, which is very reasonable. I was at the Cabin on Fire Island and the food was great, the people were great, it was a fantastic weekend and so will this be.
Food Pricing
Breakfast $11.00
Dinner $23.00 (Total $32)
Since we will have events during the day, I don’t recommend you purchase Lunch, which is a simple deli set up for $11.50, but that is up to you. There will be grills there and limited refrigerator space for people that want to bring you own stuff.
People will ask to please be flexible during the weekend, this is pseudo camping in bunk beds, so please do not expect a hotel or room service 🙂
Again, I will need to pay for all meals in advance, so first, please confirm that you are coming, and then you can pay for your stay and weekend in advance. Full payment is due to AMC May 1.
I’m just relieved to hear the shuttle will be running again this year. Any idea when you’ll start it up? I’m itching to get in the woods already!!!
Aww, thanks, Anna! We are working on starting mid-may. Trying to get a sponsor but it will happen!