IT’S A GREAT DAY FOR A HIKE

By Golda Turner

I have always loved the great outdoors. My greatest pleasure is strolling through the forests with my camera in hand searching for waterfalls, scenic views, and unusual flora and wildlife. My children have gained an appreciation of nature, and of our place in the scheme of Creation.

Over the years we have done many short hikes with our children, enjoying the peace and solitude of the forest. We love the shades of green interspersed with colorful flowers in the Summer, and the bright multihued foliage in the Fall. On our many trips to New Hampshire, we enjoyed hiking the numerous trails off the Kankamagus Highway and Franconia Notch. They are part of the famous Appalachian Trail, which runs 2,144 miles from Maine through Georgia. My personal favorites are The Flume, a 2-mile mountain hike through a narrow 90 foot high gorge with cascading falls, covered bridges, and stunning mountain views (not wheelchair accessible), and the Basin, where the strikingly clear water swirls across the smooth rocks and cascades multiple times down the granite cliffs (partially accessible).

As Meir Efraim grew, we needed to restrict our hikes to those that are reasonably wheelchair accessible. Thankfully, over the years, many States have invested in creating wheelchair accessible paths that can be enjoyed by the disabled, seniors, families with baby carriages, and bikers alike.

While hiking along forest paths with our son in his wheelchair, I am reminded of a true story of people who decided to prove that IT CAN BE DONE! A number of years ago, after the passing of the Americans With Disabilities Act, the State of New Hampshire remodeled the restrooms in a shelter located in the forest on top of a mountain on the Appalachian Trail to make them wheelchair accessible. Understandably, the locals were a bit skeptical about the use of so much taxpayer’s money to build something that would probably never be used. A group of disabled men decided to prove a point by climbing the mountain in order to use the restroom there! Together with their support crew, these four young men in wheelchairs spent three days being pushed, pulled, and carried through the difficult forest trail to the top of the mountain to successfully take advantage of the wheelchair accessible restroom!

Today many adaptive sports programs help the disabled enjoy the outdoors. They often have special equipment and training to make people’s dream adventures come true. You can connect to them through local rehab hospitals or through disability organizations.

Though hiking with your family is a special treat, there are a few things to bear in mind:

  • Pack a knapsack with water, food, first aid kit, flashlight, bug repellant, and fully charged cell phones.
  • Tell someone where you are planning to spend your day, in case you get lost. Cell phones do not always work in the woods.
  • Check the weather and dress appropriately. Wear proper footwear. Take along sweaters and extra clothes.
  • Do not veer off the marked trail---you may not find it again!
  • Check for ticks after the hike.

Most hiking areas have color coded trails of varying levels of difficulty. Trail maps are available for download or purchase. A compass helps find your way in the forest. Plan your hike in advance so you will be adequately prepared. And don’t forget your camera to bring the memories back home.

Here are a few hikes not far from the NY area that your family may enjoy.

Bear Mountain State Park (Bear Mt, NY) on the border of Rockland & Orange Counties has numerous trails with stunning views, including one that is wheelchair accessible. The park also has boat rentals, a merry-go-round, a museum, a trailside zoo with local animals, and more.

Bushkill Falls (Bushkill, PA) Immerse yourself in nature as you walk on a series of hiking trails and bridges through the forest to view eight lovely waterfalls. Not wheelchair accessible.

Dingman’s Falls (Dingman’s Ferry PA)   Stroll along a wheelchair accessible boardwalk through the peaceful forest with a rippling creek, chirping birds, and rhododendron plants to view two lovely waterfalls. Take the steps up to the top of the falls for a great view.

Palisades Interstate Park (Fort Lee, NJ) Most of you have traveled on the Palisades Parkway overlooking the Hudson River. But did you know that those cliffs house a 2500 acre park containing over 30 miles of hiking trails through a nature sanctuary with spectacular views of New York City and the George Washington Bridge? Not wheelchair accessible.

Harriman State Park (Rockland & Orange Counties NY) This huge park has 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of well kept hiking trails ranging from gentle to strenuous, scenic vistas, and many wildlife species.  There are fishing, boating, and camping areas throughout the park. Remember that this is a very large park crisscrossed by many trails. A good trail map and compass are a must! Not wheelchair accessible.

Walkway Over The Hudson (www.walkway.org) is one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges spanning the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie and Highland NY. Ride the elevator 212 feet up to the bridge and enjoy the panoramic river views as you stroll, jog, or bike 2 miles across to the other side. Explore the nearby towns, parks, and historical attractions. Wheelchair accessible. 

Marsh Discovery Trail (Meadowlands, NJ) A ½-mile long wheelchair accessible boardwalk through the brackish marsh with excellent views of the city skyline. The trail connects a series of islands along the former Kingsland Creek and is a great spot for bird watching. The tidal impoundment creates a unique habitat for nesting and migrant aquatic animals and birds.

Liberty State Park (Jersey City NJ) is an urban park surrounded on three sides by water. It features stunning views of the New York City Skyline, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Hudson River. The miles of wheelchair accessible paved trails around the park highlight the entire area. While there, you can visit the Liberty Science Center or take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty. 

There are a few resources that list trails that are reasonably easy to navigate. Trail Link (www.traillink.com) lists unused rail lines across the USA that have been repurposed into pedestrian trails which are mostly wheelchair and child friendly. All Trails (www.alltrails.com) posts reviews from hikers that have navigated trails all over the USA. They include maps, directions, and photos posted by actual hikers and campers. Accessible Nature (www.accessiblenature.info) is a collection of links to places that you can go to enjoy nature with minimal obstacles. They designate trails as either “very easy” or “wheelchair accessible”. 

The weather is beautiful and we are longing to get out. Will we see you there?