If you’ve never hiked in the Hudson Valley in New York, now is your chance. This is the perfect time to catch those fall leaves and colors from beautiful summit views, plus this hike is public transportation friendly. Not to mention a bit moderate at first with some rock scrambles to keep your glutes honest.
Intention: This hike is about bringing the Peruanas in the diaspora together in the name of cultura and community.
Only for Peruanas? Yes, because this is a special event for the community I, Cindy Rodriguez, co-run with Vanessa Ponce a.k.a. Peruvian Chica in NYC called The Peruana Collective created to bring Peruanas in the diaspora together through online and IRL events in the New York and New Jersey area. To learn more about our story, check out our Instagram page with our backstory with more on how to join our comunidad. We’ve co-hosted a hike for TPC in the past and we loved it. Join us!
Vanessa at our past hike in the Hudson Valley.
Why? Because nature serves as a bridge to our ancestors, connecting us to our heritage. Ancestral landscapes and sacred sites in natural settings allow us to understand our roots. Nature's elements and symbolism play a role in honoring and communicating with our ancestors. It holds ancestral knowledge, enabling us to reclaim teachings and wisdom. Nature also provides a healing space for ancestral wounds, fostering reconciliation and a deeper connection to our ancestral past. Dale, let’s go.
Us keeping the community gatherings going during the pandemic.
About the hike: (Moderate at first, then easy) We’re headed to Anthony’s Nose trail near Cold Spring, NY where you’ll also be able to hike a section of the Appalachian Trail. If you’ve looking for a hike with a bit of a challenge, then this might do the trick. The first section of the hike is the steep 500-foot rock staircase (takes about 20-30 minutes to go up), then the trail levels out leading to the overlook with the epic views where we will take a break to rehydrate, meditate and journal before heading back. If you aren’t sure about the rock staircase, check out the photo below and/or you can read a play by play here.
Hike level: If you usually workout, you'll be okay. If you don't at all, you will huff and puff a bit but it's only the first 30 minutes. Then, it's super chill. Vas a ver. Check out what the hike is like on Reclama's IG page when we went last fall.
Distance: 2.6 miles
Photo courtesy of Hike the Hudson Valley
Public Transportation: If you're coming from NYC, you can take the Metro North train from Grand Central to Cortlandt via the Hudson Line. From there, it is about a 10-minute ride to the trailhead. If you're not down for the walk, you can easily book an Uber or Lyft. I’ll email the exact meetup spot 3 days prior.
Grand Central Meetup: Co-founder of The Peruana Collective Vanessa Ponce will be meeting everyone at Grand Central that morning in case you don’t want to travel alone. Tenemos el buddy system!
Hike Meetup Spot: If you want to get a feel for what the drive is like check it out on Google Maps or Waze and put “Bear Mountain Bridge”. Exact meetup spot will only be sent to those who register and will be emailed a week before the retreat.
Bathrooms: Only on the trains and in Cold Spring. There aren’t any at the trailhead or on the way. So we can find a spot and then the group can help cover you with our backs turned. We’ve done so in the past and you would be surprised how fast like-minded women come through for one another in nature. I also carry a bathroom kit for all the hikers so no need to pack that. I got you.
Hot tip: The Bear Mountain Inn and Park is right on the other side of the bridge. You can stop there first before coming here. The public bathroom is in the parking lot to the far right of the lot.
Breakdown:
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Welcome/Smudging/Introductions
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Hike in
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Snacks & Rest/Guided Journaling session
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Hike back/Closing circle
Psst, please bring an object that reminds you of Peru. We’re going to build an altar out in the woods.
What’s Included:
Grounding meditation
Earthing in nature
Guided Spiritual Hike
Peruvian lunch (tamal, queso & maiz) and snacks for the hike
Energetic cleanse with Sage and/or Palo Santo
Guided Journaling Session
Sharing circle
Reclama Journal
Gel feather pen
Motivational post card
I’ll be sending out an email with information on how to prep, what to pack, and more.
Refunds are not available but you can transfer your ticket to someone else or another one-day retreat this fall. If it rains, the hike will be rescheduled for the following day. If it rains the following day, then it will be rescheduled for the following weekend, again depending on the weather.
WHY HIKE?
It boosts endorphins, reduces stress and helps keep you present. By allowing ourselves to be unapologetically spiritual in a place like the outdoors, we honor and affirm how we take up space in the world.
WHY JOURNAL?
The peace you get from being out on a hike naturally leads to personal reflection because your mind is super clear and you’re tapped into your highest self. Writing in this state is a powerful way to connect with yourself and what you want out of life. Once the pen hits the paper, anything is possible.
SIDE EFFECTS OF HIKING WITH US INCLUDE:
Spiritual freedom as we unapologetically take up space in nature, self-esteem on point, nature high that lasts about a week, inner peace, remembering who the fuck you are, feeling grounded, deep connection with nature, appreciation for ancestral land a.k.a. Pachamama, self-revelations through journaling, and the sassiness to stand in your power. You’ll always walk away from a hike feeling better than how you came in.