This is a circular hike along a roaring creek in a steep gorge with a visit to a lake and the Torne (hill) with views of the Bear Mt. area and Hudson River. We'll meet at the front of the Bear Mountain Inn and walk to the start of the Popolopen Gorge trail. This is a moderate 8-mile hike along the gorge to Queensboro Lake. We will go out on the south side of the gorge to the lake and return on the north side of the gorge via a climb up the Torne for views of Anthony¿s Nose, Bear Mt. and the bridge. We'll return to the Bear Mt. Inn by 4PM. This will be a moderately to briskly paced hike with an ascent of 700 ft. and one short climb/scramble. If there is time and interest, near the end of the hike we can visit Fort Montgomery, a NYS historic site from the revolution with great views of the river and some ruins to explore.

IMPORTANT NOTE: this hike is open to everybody: male, female, transgendered, etc.

• Travel By: Car, bus or train (pick up from station needed.) 1) Short Line buses go to the Bear Mountain Inn from the Port Authority, departing at 8:45AM and returning at 5:19PM. Fare: $26.70. https://www.coachusa.com/shortline/booking.asp?action=ProductDetail&TRP=1&productId=1983   2) MetroNorth: 8:43AM train from Grand Central arriving in Peekskill at 9:42. (Same train leaves 125th St. at 8:54.) There are trains from Peekskill back to the city at 4:35 and 5:35. Off-peak round trip fare: $23.50.    IMPORTANT NOTE: We must make sure we have a ride from the station for all train riders. 3) Drive and park at the Bear Mt. Inn, which is in Bear Mountain State Park near the Bear Mt. Bridge. Unless you have a NYS Empire Park Pass, there's an $8 parking fee. Please!! let us know if you are driving and can ride share or shuttle any fellow hikers from the train.
• Meet At: In front of the Bear Mountain Inn [55 Hessian Drive, Highland Falls, NY] http://www.visitbearmountain.com/maps-directions.htm
  
• Costs: Return train ($23.50) or bus ($26.70) fare. If you are driving and you don't have a NYS Empire pass on your car, there is an $8 parking fee to park at the Bear Mt. Inn.
• Weather: Major rain prediction cancels. Light, intermittent rain does not.