Palisades Interstate Park, NJ (Bombay Hook/Giant Stairs) - 3/27/11

[Daniela Wagstaff]

This is one of those hikes that I had not considered worth doing. In my mind, it seemed like the hike would be too urban, too crowded, too noisy, a waste of a good hiking day.  Did I want to be looking straight at New York City and Yonkers across the river while listening to traffic on the Palisades Interstate Parkway? But I needed to stay closer to home this past weekend so I did start to consider it and researched the possibilities.  I found myself drawn to the northern section and decided to give it a shot.  Having now done the hike, all I can say is, "WOW!"  Not at all what I had expected.  Granted, the last couple of miles the Long Path ran so close to the Palisades Interstate Parkway I could have almost stuck my right arm out and thumbed a ride, but after everything prior to that, it really did not matter.  Other than that part, you hear lapping water the entire length of the Shore Trail along the Hudson River, you see amazing cliffs looming ahead and the sun to the east pretty much blocks out civilization on the other side of the river.  From the tops of the cliffs the views are spectacular. I honestly can't remember hearing a thing while crossing the Giant Stairs, probably because I was too focused on getting my dog across.  Don't be fooled, it is a LONG, very difficult rock scramble on jagged boulders strewn about with crevices that go way down to who knows where.  I wavered about doing the Giant Stairs section because of my dog. Some say don't take dogs, others have taken dogs, but I could find no clear information in order to make a decision.  I decided I could always turn back if it were too hard for her so we would give it a shot.  Problem is, once you get going, going back is just as treacherous as moving forward. It is very hard for a dog to get footing and we mostly inched our way across a half mile section by me putting my dog in stay position balanced precariously on a boulder, me going ahead 3 steps, then turning around and coaxing her forward. The half mile took us over an hour.  So if you are wondering whether to take a dog or not, my experience is it would be much faster without a dog (but still very slow going) but it is possible as long as the dog is larger, is solid on commands and does not pull on a leash. More details and pictures of the hike here.

[njHiking.com]

We'd been ignoring this hike for the exact reasons you listed, and only added this hike to our to-do list after seeing it posted by Sara here on Connect last year - but still haven't gotten to it yet. I think you picked a perfect day to go as it was sunny but still chilly enough to keep any crowds down, yet there was no snow or ice to prevent doing the stairs.

 

Dawn

[Daniela Wagstaff]

I had reread Sara's post again as part of my research - she made it sound very attractive (she was right) and that was a determining factor.  I really do think this is the time of year to do the hike and it is definitely worth doing. I can imagine it gets pretty crowded in the summer.  I started at 7:15 am and came across a couple of hikers early on which is very unusual at that time of the morning.  I didn't really start seeing droves of hikers until after Peanut Leap Cascade but then it was just in passing going in the opposite directions.  Definitely crowded and loud (kids and teenagers screaming, yelling and acting nuts) at State Line Lookout where people can drive up but that can be bypassed where the Long Path turns left just before you get to the lookout. I think the views from the trails are much better anyway.

[Shea]

I have done this hike & it is 1 of my favorites. I love the challenge & the scenery. I have also rec to some people & their reaction was the same as yours. The contrast in itself is beautiful. Both times I have gone, it was never overly crowded. I mean I saw some people but nothing crazy. It could be due to the difficulty of this trek. At the beginning & at the ruins of the old mansion there were many people but in-between very nice & quiet. Once I went in summer started around 11am other time was oct & started around 1pm