Andrews Bald – Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This 3.5 mile round-trip hike to the highest elevation “bald” in the Smokys offers great panoramic views and a quiet spot to enjoy a picnic. The bald receives periodic maintenance from the National Park Service to prevent it from being reclaimed as forest. The hike begins from Clingmans Dome.

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Hawks Cliff – Green Pond Mountain – Pequannock Watershed

Breakneck Ridge is an incredibly popular hike so don’t expect to get the trail to yourself. The steep rock scramble ascent will get your heart pumping quickly and you’ll be rewarded with great views of the Hudson River. It’s about a 3 mile loop, but all the action is in the first mile.

Breakneck Ridge – Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve

Breakneck Ridge is an incredibly popular hike so don’t expect to get the trail to yourself. The steep rock scramble ascent will get your heart pumping quickly and you’ll be rewarded with great views of the Hudson River. It’s about a 3 mile loop, but all the action is in the first mile.

Falls Trail – Ricketts Glen State Park

Ricketts Glen is a waterfall wonderland. This is a great loop hike with a huge reward/effort ratio which passes 21 named waterfalls over 4.5 miles of the Falls Trail network.

What to pack in a First Aid Kit/Emergency Kit

My First Aid Kit is more than just supplies to fix wounds or other injuries. I carry what I think of broadly as an “Emergency” or “Fix It” kit – it’s a First Aid Kit, but also includes items to prevent or fix other problems I might have on the trail, such as broken gear or a lost piece of gear that’s critical to staying safe.