Friday's Hike Down (and Back Up) the Palisades

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You’ve seen the Palisades a thousand times from the train on the east side of the Hudson, just before you reach New York City. Don’t you ever wish you could hug those rocks, spidering all the way to the bottom? Tim and i started at the top, hiked past an oddly friendly deer and a castle, and then down to the shore. Steep as it was, that was the fun part. Getting back up was a bit much. Here are some photos.

The New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs built this “castle”, halfway down the Palisades, for … some reason that must have made sense at the time. You can climb to the top for great views across the Hudson, though.

The New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs built this “castle”, halfway down the Palisades, for … some reason that must have made sense at the time. You can climb to the top for great views across the Hudson, though.

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Palisades, on the New York-New Jersey border. They are steep and they are very far above the river. Don’t fall down!

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Palisades, on the New York-New Jersey border. They are steep and they are very far above the river. Don’t fall down!

“We can see Jon’s apartment from here!” Our son Jon lives in the Grystone building, in Yonkers.

“We can see Jon’s apartment from here!” Our son Jon lives in the Grystone building, in Yonkers.

It is a loooong way down to the river. Don’t jump!

It is a loooong way down to the river. Don’t jump!

But then finally you reach the bottom, and walking the shoreline trail feels like the most glorious thing anyone could do.

But then finally you reach the bottom, and walking the shoreline trail feels like the most glorious thing anyone could do.

Enjoy the sun on some yellow poplar leaves as you start the long trek back up to the top. What a great hike!

Enjoy the sun on some yellow poplar leaves as you start the long trek back up to the top. What a great hike!