Hike on the Palisades
Women's Federation Monument to NJ PIPC Headquarters, Alpine, NJ
by Bob Rancan
Saturday, February 6, 2016
A little more than an inch of powder remained from the previous day's snowfall and 11 members and guests met on Rt. 9W just south of Camp Alpine (BSA) for a clifftop walk along the Long Path. We covered about a five-mile round trip on a clear, sunny morning. At the site of Dr. Burnett's estate, while marveling at the remains of the serpent shaped pool a red tail hawk in futile pursuit of a squirrel landed very close to our group and afforded everyone great looks. Many vultures, including several Black Vultures were seen throughout the walk circling and surveying the cliff top and talus slopes in search of food. At our lunch stop at Gray's Crag (part of the Ringling estate), we noticed 3 Black Vultures perched on an adjacent crag, sunning themselves the entire time we were there. It was a very fine way to shake off some of the winter blues and get a little exercise.
Thanks to Herta D., Gail S., Lori Y., Marina L, Henry and Lois S., Bob and Beth K., and Al G. and Sumonnat K. (for the photos).
Bob