Meeting location
175 Street Station, Manhattan, NY
Treat your mind and push your body with this epic 18-mile hike on the legendary Appalachian Trail (AT) which runs continuously from Georgia to Maine. The Lemon Squeezer to Bear Mountain Lodge hike is one of the most technical (and famous) sections of the whole AT.
On day 1 we’ll start to ascend almost right away toward the Green Pond Mountain, which offers a beautiful balance of dense forest and awesome geological formations. At the summit of Green Pond Mountain (1000 ft elevation already!) we’ll admire beautiful views of western mountain ranges and Sterling Forest State Park.
After a quick snack break, we’ll follow the AT, passing gentle springs and charming wooden bridges. Your Escape guide will teach you water filtration techniques, and you will quickly master the art of pumping water for our small tribe. Soon we’ll reach a huge rock formation that is home to the Lemon Squeezer, a three-foot-high by one-foot-wide path between two rocks. The weird angle adds to the entertainment and the challenge, as we find creative ways to maneuver. We’ll carry our backpacks on top of our heads and help each other through. Everyone always makes it, and you’ll feel very proud of yourself when you do!
Then we’ll say goodbye to the Lemon Squeezer and climb Island Pond, a beautiful mountain that offers grassy and open areas, full of light and sun at the summit. It’s an ideal picnic spot to rest our bodies.
Our afternoon journey will bring us through various kinds of terrains and landscapes, including swamps, forests, and grassy areas. We’ll walk for 5 hours, our bodies will get strong, and our minds will power us onward.
After passing through the middle of an epic rhododendron forest, we will reach our campsite under the trees. We will set up our camp, and your guide will teach you how to build an efficient and safe campfire. At the camp we may meet a few thru-hikers, coming from Georgia and going to Maine (the Appalachian Trail takes about 6 months to fully complete, it’s the adventure of a lifetime!). We will eat delicious and hot hiking meals (provided by us, which we’ll cook together). After our meal we’ll sit together, relaxing by the fire, before going to sleep in our cozy tents and surrendering to absolute silence.
We will wake up early on Day 2, and after a hearty breakfast we will immediately start to climb. It’s a healthy challenge, but the epic views of the whole Harriman State Park and the Hudson Valley at the summit really make it worth it. We’ll have our lunch with a view and pause for some epic photos.
On the second part of the day, after we make our way alongside geological formations, through shady forested areas and down natural steps, we will slowly but surely reach the bottom of our last challenge: Bear Mountain. It takes an hour and a half to reach the summit with an elevation gain of 1200 ft. We will cheer each other when we reach the top (some of our previous Escapers have shed some tears of joy!) There is nothing more rewarding than making it to the top and finishing a challenging 2-day hike, tired but deeply happy and refreshed.
At the Bear Mountain Lodge, a huge wooden cabin in the middle of the forest next to a lake, we will have a well-deserved drink. Then we’ll meet our Escape driver and head home. In the van, you may have the energy to chat with your new Escape best friends, or you may fall asleep with a smile on your face. You will be back in the city around 7pm, feeling stronger, wilder, and more confident... same-same but a little different.
Perfect for: Experienced or athletic hikers who want to experience a thru-hike section, meet thru-hikers, and try an unforgettable adventure. This Escape is a 5-person adventure (4 clients/1 guide).
INCLUDED
TO WEAR
TO BRING
A detailed checklist of what to bring with tips and advice will be sent as soon as you book your adventure.
If you pick the "all gear included" option at checkout, the items below will be provided by Escape. Each item has been tested (and approved) in the wilderness by the fabulous women of the tester team. If you already have these hiking and camping items at home, you can choose the "no gear included" option and bring your own.
No Gear? No Problem!
Most of us don't have hiking and camping gear and don't want to buy it just for one or two weekends per year. Escape provides all necessary gear that is high quality, durable and designed FOR women.
Pick the "all gear included" option at check-out and all these items will be waiting for you in our Escape Van the day of departure.
Tent
Backpack
Sleeping Bag Liner
Hiking Poles
First Aid Kit
Sleeping Bag
Headlamp
Inflatable Sleeping Pad
Rain Protection
