Suggestions for a AT hike NBO and a shuttle or Train to NYC

[theshadowshop]

We are looking for a 5 day hike NOBO eventually to end up in NYC see the city and take the train back to PA. Any Ideas? Shuttle, hike to a train, what? There will be 4 of our two kids and two adults. We are planning ahead for the late winter eairly spring.

Thanks

[Cookerhiker]

We are looking for a 5 day hike NOBO eventually to end up in NYC see the city and take the train back to PA. Any Ideas? Shuttle, hike to a train, what? There will be 4 of our two kids and two adults. We are planning ahead for the late winter eairly spring.

Thanks

Sounds like you need public transportation on both ends. If you take a bus from Philadelphia to Delaware Water Gap and start hiking north, it's 77 miles to Greenwood Lake/Rt. 17A where you can get a bus to NYC. But that's probably too ambitious for a family hike in 5 days. If you start at DWG and hike 42.5 miles to Rt. 23, you can call for a cab or shuttle to Port Jervis where there are communter trains to NYC. Or start at Wind Gap, the last road crossing in PA (Rt. 33) giving you a 58 mile hike to Rt. 23 but you'd need to get yourselves to Wind Gap.

There are also buses from DWG to NYC. Can you get a ride to the Trail at Hawk Mountain? If so, it's 62 miles to DWG or 12 mpd over rocky but not steep terrain (except for the steep climb out of Lehigh Gap. If that's too much, can you get a ride to Rt. 309? That makes it a 50 mile hike.

Food for thought. Hope things work out.

[tiptoe]

I believe there is bus service from nyc to bear mountain state park, and there is also train service between Pawling, NY and NYC.

Post #5 in this thread has links:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...tation-Options

[Cookerhiker]

Yes, another option is to take the train to NYC, bus to Bear Mountain, hike 44 miles to Rt. 22 near Pawling, and take the train back to NYC. This is a nice stretch - not as difficult as the Harriman Park portion of the AT.

[tiptoe]

The AT passes right through the Bear Mountain Zoo, a very family friendly diversion.