Wilderness Walk in '60 Hikes'

Westchester Wilderness Walk, our 150-acre preserve in Pound Ridge, is featured in a new book called 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: New York City (2nd edition), by Christopher and Catherine Brooks.

The authors, who live nearby in New Canaan, divided the metropolitan region six ways -- New York: East of the Hudson River; New York: West of the Hudson River; New York: Long Island and Staten Island; New Jersey: North of Interstate 80; New Jersey: South of Interstate 80; and Connecticut -- and concentrate on specific trails of interest within each region.

So for example if you follow the book's advice, instead of just wandering through Ward Pound Ridge Reservation's 4,800 acres, you'd hike what the Brookses call the Reservation's Star Loop. Or if you find yourself on the south shore of Staten Island (my old turf), you could hike the Crooke's Point Labyrinth, at Great Kills, rather than through all of Great Kills Park.

The exception seems to be Westchester Wilderness Walk, which has miles of winding trails and was apparently self-contained enough for the authors to include as is.

There's more information about the Brookses and the book, here, if you're interested. And whether you buy it or not, be sure to visit Westchester Wilderness Walk (which includes the Zofnass Family Preserve, named after the preserves founders and guiding spirits).

by Tom Andersen