Winter History Hikes
The NJ Section of the Palisades Interstate Park, spanning twelve miles along the Hudson River Palisades in northeastern Bergen County, will sponsor a pair of guided “history hikes” in Alpine this winter, giving participants a chance to explore some of the park’s 30 miles of hiking trails—along with some of the rich historical associations of the Palisades, a National Historic Landmark. Eric Nelsen, a historical interpreter for the park since 1992 and the director of the park’s historic Kearney House, will lead the hikes. The hikes, which will be held “drizzle or shine,” are free and open to all, with no advanced registration required. Heavy or steady precipitation or icy trail conditions may cause cancellation: If conditions seem questionable on the morning of a hike, participants can call 201 768-1360 and enter extension 108 to confirm.
“Millionaires’ Row
”On Sunday, January 8, hikers can explore some of the extensive foundation remains of “Millionaires’ Row,” so named for the dozen or so estates—with their manor homes and ornate gardens and grounds—that once graced this lonely precipice more than four hundred feet above the Hudson. The tour will meet at 1
PM at Park Headquarters in Alpine (PIP Exit 2) and will cover about 3 miles round-trip distance over easy-to-moderate trails in about 2 hours. Nelsen, who noted that the lack of foliage in winter makes it an ideal time to explore this section of the cliffs, will bring photographs of the estates as they appeared in their original splendor.
Above, two takes on “Millionaires’ Row,” a winter history hike, one in the snow, the other on bare ground. Hikers meet at Park Headquarters and then set out on the Long Path, stopping at the foundation remains of Anthony Fokker’s unfinished estate on the cliff top. Below, the hikers explore the ruins of George Zabriskie’s “Cliff Dale” estate (see “Cliff Dale,” Part II).
“Cape Fly Away via the Closter Dock Road”
On Saturday, February 4, Nelsen will again meet hikers at Park Headquarters in Alpine (PIP Exit 2), this time at 10
AM, to lead them down a trail that marks the continuation of Closter Dock Road, so familiar to today’s drivers, and on to the Hudson River, traversing what was from Colonial days through the nineteenth century an important shipping route for local farmers. The hikers will then go on to explore “Cape Fly Away,” the site of a nineteenth-century farm and fishermen’s village. Although this hike, like the “Millionaires’ Row” hike, will cover about 3 miles in 2 hours, it includes some steep slopes as hikers trek from the summit to the river and back and may be challenging to younger participants or non-hikers.
Above,
01/22/2012
2012 Area Information & Fee Schedule (.pdf file, 4 pages)
