Locals discuss visitor safety program at Desmond-Fish
The Desmond-Fish Library will host the New York–New Jersey Trail Conference for a Breakneck Ridge Public Information Meeting and Book Signing on Friday, July 17, at 6:30 p.m. Join Hank Osborn, Fred Rich and local author Don Weise for an important progress report on visitor management and safety at Breakneck Ridge and the surrounding trailheads.
In the recent past, lost hikers were a daily occurrence every weekend at Breakneck Ridge in Cold Spring. The Cold Spring Fire Company and New York State Park Police reported that an average of one to two rescues was required every weekend. Many hikers are unprepared for the scramble-type of hiking that this specific trail demands. Tourists frequently arrive without proper footwear, water, maps or an idea about where to hike.
The nonprofit New York–New Jersey Trail Conference program is helping to solve these problems by positioning trained trail stewards on the Breakneck Ridge Trail and at the trailhead, every weekend from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
Osborn will speak about the program, plans to expand the program and ongoing challenges in the area. Local resident Rich will also speak about how the public can help make this program successful. Rich will supply the first 50 attendees with a free copy of the new book Circuit Hikes in Harriman. Author Weise will be on hand to sign the books.
For more information about the Breakneck Trail Stewards and the Trail Conference visit nynjtc.org/breakneck.
The Desmond-Fish Library is located at 472 Route 403 (at the corner of 9D) in Garrison. For more information, call 845-424-3020 or visit desmondfishlibrary.org.
