German

German-American Hiking Club

of New York & New Jersey

Deutscher Wanderverein von New York & New Jersey

The German-American Hiking Club is an organization of people who share an interest in a German ethnic background combined with an appreciation of hiking in the surroundings of metropolitan New York and New Jersey. If you would like to brush up on your German or speak English with hikers of German background, the club welcomes you.

Since being founded in 1958, the club has scheduled one-day hikes every two weeks on Sundays, and occasional 3-4 day weekend trips throughout the year. The hikes are mostly easy moderate to moderately difficult and are described in the schedule mailed twice a year to all members.

Membership dues are $25 annually for individuals, $35 for families. The guest fee is $5 per hike. A guest must participate in two hikes before becoming a member.

For information, please mail to: GAHC2@verizon.net

Hikes for November 2008 – April 2009 are:

09. NOV. TRAIL MAINTENANCE, Oakland, NJ. Maintenance of our section of the Bill Hoeferlein Trail. Meet: Parking lot opposite entrance to Camp Tamarack on Skyline Drive at 9:00. Leader: Elfi Woschitz [(212)722-7338]. 35 miles from NYC.

23. NOV. BEAR MOUNTAIN PARK, NY. A,B,C Hikes. Leader: Brian Kassenbrock [(718)748-0624]. Pre-registration requested. Meet: Bear Mountain Inn Parking Lot at 10:00. Parking fee $8. 50 miles from NYC.

07. DEC. CENTRAL PARK & ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NYC. C Hike with Christmas decorations. Leader: Elfi Woschitz [(212)722-7338]. Meet: 10:00 at Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

04. JAN. CRANBERRY LAKE PARK, North White Plains, NY. B,C hikes, possible cross country skiing. Call ahead requested. Leaders: Manfred Janowski [(914)428-4573 or cell (914)949-4933] & Evelyn Hoyer [(718)457-8319]. Meet: Route 22, corner of Old Orchard St. 9:30. 25 miles from NYC.

18. JAN. BLUE MOUNTAIN RESERVATION, Peekskill, NY. B,C Hikes with cross country skiing? Leader: Bernhard Kessler [(212)541-7964]. Meet: Peekskill RR station at 10:00. 45 miles from NYC.

01.FEB JOCKEY HOLLOW PARK, Morristown, NJ. B, C Hikes. Leader: Mathias Wuethrich [(908)253-9042] . Preregistration requested. Meet: Visitors’ Center at 10:00. 45 miles from NYC.

15. FEB. STATEN ISLAND GREENBELT, Staten Island, NY. C+ Hike. Staten Island Expressway>Bradley Ave. Exit>Brielle Ave.>Greenbelt Nature Center, meet at 10:00. Pre-registration required. Leaders & Info: Fred Volk [(718)987-3094, cell: (718)619-5636] & Walter Loeffler [(718)979-5501]. 20 miles from NYC.

01. MAR. PALISADES and HUDSON SHORELINE, NJ. B, C Hikes. Leader: Helly deLiz [(201)592-6377]. Pre-registration required. Meet: Linwood Park Shopping Center, west side of Route 9W, Fort Lee, NJ at 10:00. 10 miles from NYC.

15. MAR. WARD'S POUND RIDGE RESERVATION, Cross River, NY. B, C Hikes, possible cross country skiing. Leader: Brian Kassenbrock [(718)748-0624]. Call ahead requested. Meet: Museum parking lot at 10:00. Park fee $8. Call leader for directions. 50 miles from NYC.

29. MAR. ROCKWOOD HALL PARK & OLD CROTON AQUEDUCT, Briarcliff Manor, NY. B, C hikes with possible cross country sking. Leaders: Manfred Janowski [(914)428-4573 or cell (914)949-4933] & Evelyn Hoyer [(718)457-8319]. Preregistration requested. Meet: Parking lot at end of Rt. 117West in North Tarrytown, 10591 (off Route 9 or Rockwood Road) at 9:30. 25 miles from NYC.

19. APRIL STERLING FOREST STATE PARK, NY. B, C Hikes. Leader: Mathias Wuethrich [(908)253-9042]. Meet: Frank Lautenberg Visitors Center: from junction of Rtes. 17 & 17A, take 17A west 1.4 miles to left on Long Meadow Rd. (Rt. 84). Go 3.5 miles to right on Old Forge Rd., Center is one mile on right, at 9:30. 55 miles from NYC.

Hiking club activities involve varying degrees of danger. When you participate in an activity, you should be both physically and mentally prepared and equipped with the appropriate gear. You should always be aware of the risks involved in outdoor activities and conduct yourself accordingly. The trip leader or the German-American Hiking Club is not responsible for your safety. You are. Prior to registering for any activity, you are encouraged to discuss your capabilities with the trip leader.

It is strongly suggested to bring food & drink to the one-day hikes. Hiking shoes and suitable outdoor clothing are required. Each hike description is followed by the approximate distance from NYC in miles.

In case of inclement weather, the hike leader can cancel the hike. Hikers are strongly urged to check with the hike leader if the weather looks doubtful or the weather forecast is poor. Each hike leader is responsible for his or her own hike and will discuss problems with the club officials.
When a hike is cancelled, it is usually held on the following Sunday. This should be confirmed by calling the hike leader.

To All Participants: Anyone who takes part in a hike does so at his or her own risk.
A = difficult hike B = average hike C = easy hike

The German-American Hiking Club of NY & NJ is a member of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.

Last Updated: November 8, 2008