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Your Oktoberfest hike for mental health with hike organizers Donna and Brandon is Saturday! We look forward to seeing you there! Here’s what you need to know.

First, in case you missed the message earlier, due to the trail washout on Bear Mountain, we have modified the route this year to summit Black Mountain. Same starting and ending point at the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area as the original plan. It is a slightly shorter distance – about 5.5 miles in total – with a great trail and nice views from the summit. Because it is a little shorter, and because we want to end the hike as Oktoberfest is kicking off, we will start check-in for the hike a little later, at 8:30am. All the updated details are below.

Getting started

Date:	Saturday, September 30, 2023
Start time:	Check-in is from 8:30 – 9am.
Location:	Meet in the parking lot of the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area, Palisades Interstate Pkwy, Bear Mountain, NY 10911. For Google Map directions to the parking lot, click here.
The plan:	Meet in the parking lot at 8:30am. Check-in will be from 8:30-9am. There is a $15 fee to park. You can get a 20% discount if you pre-pay for parking at this link. The 5.5 mile hike will begin at 9am from the parking lot, follow the Appalachian Trail west and south, then ascend to the summit of Black Mountain for some views before returning via the same route to the starting point in the parking lot around 12pm, as the Oktoberfest is getting underway. While the hike will be over at that point, many hikers choose to stay, at least for a while, to enjoy each other’s company at the festivities. Admission to Oktoberfest is free, and there will be plenty of good Bavarian food and refreshments for purchase.
Est. finish time:	The hike will end around 1 pm. back at the starting point.
Pets:	Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a 6 ft. lead, but be mindful that not everyone is a dog-lover; keep your pet under your direct control at all times.

What to bring

Clothing

• comfortable, loose-fitting hiking clothing, not made of cotton
• waterproof shell or windbreaker
• wool or synthetic sweater (if it is chilly)
• good walking/hiking shoes or boots (unless you are one of the brave barefoot hikers!)

Food & water

• 1 quart of water
• Snacks for the trail

Other items you may want to consider

• Cash for parking and any Oktoberfest purchases
• cell phone
• camera
• personal first aid supplies – aspirin, band-aids
• sunscreen
• bug repellent, just in case
• trekking poles or hiking sticks

Wear your HIKE for Mental Health Shirts if you have them!

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Let’s hike!

That’s about it. If you have any questions at all, please ask. Donna and Brandon will be your hike leaders. You can reach Donna via her cell phone at (845) 546-1832 with any questions the morning of the hike.

Thank you for being part of the hike and for helping raise $$$ and awareness to help eliminate the suffering from mental illness and the stigma that surrounds it.

Leo Walker

HIKE for Mental Health

Hikes that bring hope.

www.hikeformentalhealth.org

(281) 219-9320