Fall Foliage Hike: Partial Big Bear Course

Eight days before I race the Big Bear 10K, I'm walking its best parts with you. This is a group hike timed for peak color in Harriman State Park. We'll follow the race course through the good stuff: a hike to a summit with views that go on for miles, one short rock scramble, and a squeeze through a rock crevice that feels like a secret passage. We'll skip the race's out-and-back section, which keeps the day to roughly 5 miles in about 2.5 hours. You do not need to be a runner. The pace is conversational, the scramble is short and beginner-friendly, and I'll be there to talk everyone through it. If you've been curious what a trail race course actually looks like, this is the low-pressure way to find out. THE DETAILS Saturday, October 10. We start hiking at 11:00 AM sharp and expect to be back at the cars around 2:00 PM. Distance: roughly 5 miles. Terrain: one real climb, a short rock scramble, and the crevice squeeze. Shoes with grip are required. The leaves will be doing their once-a-year thing from the top, so bring a phone with storage left. Also bring: water, snacks, and a layer for the summit. GETTING THERE Meet at the DEC Parking lot in Tuxedo, NY. Search "DEC Parking Tuxedo Park NY" in Google Maps. No car needed. Take NJ Transit's Port Jervis Line to Tuxedo station: from Penn Station, transfer at Secaucus Junction, or board direct at Hoboken. The lot is about a 5 minute walk from the platform. Weekend trains run infrequently, so check the schedule ahead of time and take the one that arrives before 11:00. Sign up below and I'll send you everything you need before hike day.