Spend A Week Exploring Colorado

This year the Mosaic International Labor Day Event will be near Colorado Springs, Co and we could use a few good men and women to help us plan some good events and have fun time while we are out west. So come with me to explore what we can find in the Greater Denver / Colorado Springs Area. We are generating a list of areas to cover, but if you have any suggestions we are open ears. While the primary purpose of this trip is for Mosaic to scout the areas for our main event during Labor Day weekend, we will of course want to make sure you have fun as well. 





Chairperson: Brian Horowitz Brian.Horowitz@Yahoo.com


Dates Saturday May 19th to a Sunday May 27th with an option to shorten you stay and come home on Thursday May 17th

Flight Arrival Info

Plan on arriving to the Denver Airport after work on Friday May 18th or daytime Saturday and stay at a hotel in the downtown area accessible by public transit. On Friday we will be staying at a hotel near the Denver airport (TBD) where everyone will meet-up either Saturday morning or evening for dinner pending when you arrive. 

Schedule

Below is the current itinerary at this time. As we get closer we will fine tune it to make fit the tastes of the participants and still gather the information we need for our Mosaic International Labor Day event that will be held at the JCC Ranch Camp (http://www.ranchcamp.org/)

Day one (Saturday, May 19th, 2012)


Spend a day exploring   Denver itself. for those who arrive Friday night we will maybe take a tour of the National Wildlife Refuge or check out the museums Denver has to offer or check out the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Maybe do some hiking in areas that is near the Red Rocks Amphitheater and then take in a concert at night in Amphitheater. This is just some ideas we have so far. If you are flying in this day you can meet us at the hotel in Boulder in the evening. Altitude: 5,2080 Ft





Day Two (Sunday, May 20th, 2012)

Spend the day exploring Boulder and western parts of Denver. Just some areas of interest so far are to check out the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Maybe do some hiking in areas that is near the Red Rocks Amphitheater and then take in a concert at night in Amphitheater. Possibly do a tour at the Coors Brewery.

We will end up in a hotel in Boulder, CO

Day Three (Monday, May 21th, 2012)

Pending on how many people come we will split the group up a little in rented vehicle(s) pending and head out to do some hiking in the Castlewood State Park and other areas of interest just south of Denver.  If we get enough people we may also send a group to Castle Rock for some biking/hiking as well. These are the closest parks to the camp.  We should get to camp to allow a couple hours of daylight to do the tour of the camp itself. Altitude: 6400 Ft.

We be staying at the JCC Ranch Camp. Altitude: 6850 Ft

Day Four (Tuesday, May 22th, 2012)


Spend the day at the Garden of the Gods. Maybe do some hiking, biking, rock climbing or horseback. We will the return to base at the JCC Ranch Camp. Altitude: 6,422 Ft  





Day Five (Wednesday, May 23th, 2012)


Explore Colorado Springs or immediate surrounding area. Some areas we thinking of exploreing are the Palmer Park, Chyenne Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, North Cheyenne Canon or the Bear Creek Cannon. We will then head back the JCC Ranch Camp and do a wrap-up for the group as whole. We will be checking out in the morning. 





Day Six (Thursday, May 24th, 2012)


There will be a choice of:


A: Do Pikes Peak. Either by train, bike or hike. There are at least two outfitters that bring you up the top of Pikes Peak on the Cog Train and then you bike back down to their place. Afterwards stay at motel on the western side of Colorado Springs. Altitude: 14, 111 Ft.





B: Head back to Denver to fly home. Maybe make a stop on the way out with something of interest. 








Day Seven (Friday, May 25th, 2012


Drive from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins (just north of Boulder) by way of the mountains (drive time approx 5 to 6 hours). Stop along the way to enjoy the views or discover stuff. We will stay at a motel near our whitewater rafting outfitter.





Day Eight (Saturday, May 26th, 2012)


Go White Water Rafting near Fort Collins (Currently looking at http://boc123.com/raft/poudre/cachelapoudre.cfm). Stay at same Motel or one in Boulder





Day Nine (Sunday, May 27th, 2012)


Spend a little time checking out Boulder. Head back to Denver to fly out.








Cost

The JCC camp has given us use of the camp for our stay for small cost the Mosaic will pick up most of it. Mosaic will also partially contribute towards the cost of the car rentals. All Travel to and from the event and food will be yours. We will try to coordinate food to keep this cost down. Once we have definitive plans we will update this. 





We are working on some sort of incentive for people whom go to both the scouting trip and the Main event. This has not been determined just yet.








For More Information: Please contact Brian Horowitz for more info at Brian.Horowitz@Yahoo.com. Make sure to include in the subject line "Mosaic Scouting Trip".

Come enjoy something new this spring - join singles and couples 18 and over for a hike at nearby Jockey Hollow.

Highlights include a trail-side pond, a scenic overlook, colonial soldiers' huts, an herb garden, and the discovery of connections between hiking and Yom Yerushalayim.

When: Sunday, May 20th at 2:00 PM (to approximately 3:30 PM and 5 PM). *

What: A two-looped hike with one loop that is about 2.25 miles. For more committed hikers a second loop offers another 3 miles.

Start and Finish: Jockey Hollow/Morristown National Historical Park Visitors Center parking lot off Tempe Wicke Road in Morristown (Tel 908-766-6841).

Commitment: Free to MJCBY and Mosaic members. There is a $5 non-member event fee for others; the fee can count toward annual Mosaic-GNY dues if one joins within 30 days.

Who: Co-hosted by the Morristown Jewish Center-Beit Yisrael (MJCBY) and Mosaic of Greater New York (Mosaic-GNY). To learn more about them, visit: 


http://www.mjcby.org/MJCBY/Welcome.html and  http://www.mosaicoutdoor.org/About/History.aspx

Recommended: Water, bug repellent, awe and common sense.

* Rain date is Sunday, June 3rd.

** Location information below; FREE: Live Shakespeare in Central Park (Outdoors) - Saturday, June 2 at 7:00pm. See Twelfth Night; Live Shakespeare in Central Park presented for free in a unique setting. ?The great appeal of these productions is that they are adapted to work with the park's natural terrain-the audience follows the performance from place to place, as the plot unfolds from scene to scene. The separation between the performance and the audience is then blurred, as our spectators experience the play as if it were happening at this very instant and all around them?. No tickets or reservations are necessary. The We will meet promptly at 6:45pm at the entrance to Central Park on Central Park West at West 103rd Street. For more information check out New York Classical Theatre?s website at http://www.newyorkcla.... This activity is a ?show & go? in that there will be no reservations taken. Heavy downpour cancels but a light drizzle may not (this play takes place outdoors!).</p>

Details to come,...

Mohonk Rock Scramble – Day 1

Saturday June 30th, 2012

Location - Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center


3197 Route 44/55, Gardiner, NY 12525


Phone: (845) 255-0919

Park at the Coxing (Split Rock) Parking area ($12 Mohonk Preserve entry fee per person, cash only). Follow the directions for the Visitor Center, and go 1.5 miles past the Visitor Center, turn right onto Clove Road, and then bear right at fork. After 1 mile, turn left into parking area.

Hike Miles - About 9

This is a strenuous hike with at least 4 maybe 6 separate rock scrambles. If you have to ask if you think you can do it, then do not come. You must be in shape for this one. 

We will start by going up the Old Minwaska Trail which is a 2-1/2 mile trail that climbs about 300 feet to get to to Rhododendron Bridge, and then start of our 1st rock scramble

Rock scramble #1: Climb up the crevices of Giant's Workshop. Bring a head lamp for a chance to doing a little caving. Afterwards, turn left onto the red Arching Rocks Path (walking under the impressive cliff overhangs). Turn right onto the blue Cathedral Path.





Rock scramble #2: Climb up the crevices of the cliff face. At the top, stop for a breather at the Cope's Lookout Summerhouse, offering one of the most breathtaking views in the Gunks. Walk up the stairs and turn right onto Humpty Dumpty Road. Turn left at Short Woodland Drive. Turn left for the red Eagle Cliff Ascent Path.





Rock Scramble #3: Climb up through the boulders to the top of Eagle Cliff. Turn right onto Eagle Cliff Road. Admire the great views of Lake Mohonk, the Mohonk Mountain House, and Sky Top from the many summerhouses along the cliff edge. Turn left on Lambden's Path and take the wooden stairs down to the Lakeshore Trail. Turn right and walk around the lake. Take the Lakeshore Road and turn right at the entrance to the red Labyrinth Path.





Rock scramble #4: Take the Labyrinth to climb up the ladders and through the crevices and caves at the base of Sky Top. We will continue to follow red markers to the Crevice. Climb the ladders and squeeze up through the "Lemon Squeeze." Take a breather at the top of the cliff, then walk up to the Smiley Tower. If you're up to the 101 steps, climb up to the top of the tower and admire the view of six states. You've earned it!





Rock Scramble #5: Climb over and around boulders to the junction with the blue Giant's Path. Turn left and go down the Giant's Workshop crevices. Turn left onto Laurel Ledge Road. Turn right onto the Old Minnewaska Trail. If you're hiking in late summer, be sure to stop and eat the plentiful blueberries that line the old carriageway. (Watch out for bears that are known to pursue the same activity!) The trail ends at the Coxing trailhead. Before getting to your car, check out the split rock swimming hole. Cool your feet in the bracing water-- or better yet, bring a suit and swim under the waterfall!

Equipment - This is a day hike, so you need hiking boots, a day pack with food and lots of water (3 liters is recommended). The rocks may be cold, so a pair of hiking gloves are recommended but not required. Hiking poles are not recommended on this hike, but if you bring one, it MUST fit within your pack ALL the WAY. There will be many places for your pole to poke someone else and/or get stuck on stuff if it is sticking out.

Note - This event has an 8:15 AM start time because the small parking lot fills up quickly on weekends. We must arrive early to make sure we have parking spots. As always, carpooling is encouraged and appreciated. No guests allowed.  Everyone must register. 

Please use your RSVP comment to state whether you can pick up passengers or if you need a ride.

Note:  There is a non-member event fee of $5 if you are not a paid-up member of Mosaic-GNY or another Mosaic chapter. The fee can go toward Mosaic annual dues if you join within 30 days.

For crediting purposes, I copied the description from this location:

-http://www.lakeminnewaska.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=161&516

We will hike the High Peters Kill trail to explore the Lost City (cave), and enjoy a swim at the end.

Please meet at the New Paltz bus depot to pick up passengers. Do not park in the bus depot while waiting. We will then try to condense the number of cars, as we must pay per car at the parking lot. After doing a "car drop" at the Coxing Kill parking lot, we will then continue on to the High Peters Kill parking lot.

To the High Peters Kill parking lot:

Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 18 (New Paltz). After paying the toll, turn left onto Route 299 and continue west through the Village of New Paltz. When you cross the bridge over the Wallkill River at the west end of the village, continue ahead on Route 299 (do not turn right towards the Mohonk Mountain House). In another 5.6 miles (from the Wallkill River bridge), Route 299 ends at a T-intersection with Route 44/55. Turn right here, and follow Route 44/55 as it negotiates a very sharp hairpin turn and climbs to pass under the Trapps Bridge (a steel overpass). Continue for about two miles past the Trapps Bridge to the entrance to the Peters Kill area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve, on the right side of the road (a parking fee is charged at the gatehouse).

Public Transportation: Take the 7:00 A.M Adirondack Trailways Bus from NYC Port Authority to arrive at 8:35 A.M. at the New Paltz Bus depot. You must have made prior arrangements for pick-up. If you do not get a confirmation e-mail that pick-up is arranged, do not expect one. I will not be checking or sending any e-mails after noon on the Friday before this event, so you will need to contact me prior to that time. 

If you have a Mohonk Pass please bring it. 

Equipment:

Backpack with food and water, decent hiking shoes, and a head lamp for the caving at Lost City. 

For more info., contact leader Brian Horowitz: Brian.Horowitz@Yahoo.com (e-mail preferred), or 908-625-4916.

Note:  There is a non-member event fee of $5 if you are not a paid-up member of Mosaic-GNY or another Mosaic chapter. The fee can go toward Mosaic annual dues if you join within 30 days. 

Distance:  8.7 miles

Ascent: 2,000 feet

Elev.: 3,880 feet

A moderately-paced hike to celebrate leader?s 25th anniversary as a 3500 Club Member. We'll hike the entire Westkill loop over St Anne?s Peak, including a side trip to Diamond Notch Falls.

Champagne and cake served. This will be a joint hike with the ADK and Catskill 3500 Club.

Rain date: July 15.

Registration Period: 7/2 ? 7/6

Leader: Lanny Wexler #593, highpt43@verizon.net , 516 644-5867

A maritime one-day tour of Mystic Seaport by bike, beginning with an enjoyable 1½-hour ferry ride from Orient Point, NY, to New London, CT.

We then set out from New London on 25-mile roundtrip ride to historic Mystic Seaport along the hilly Connecticut coastline. Climb aboard an old restored whaling ship, and see many other interesting sights in this restored 19th Century village. Early departure.

Admission to Mystic Seaport: $24.

Roundtrip ferry from Orient Point: $38 for passenger and bicycle.

Leader:  Lanny Wexler, (516) 644-5867, call from 7?10 p.m., or via e-mail at highpt43@verizon.net .

A Sat  Aug 18?Sat Aug 25 ? Northern Green Mountains - Long Trail North - Destination Canadian Border

Hike the glorious north country and celebrate the leader?s eight-year quest to complete the 272-mile Long Trail from Massachusetts to Canada!

Highlights include 360-degree views from Belvedere Mountain?s fire tower! Explore Hazen?s Notch.

One more challenging climb over Jay Peak with views deep into Canada. The Long Trail saga all comes to an end at Journey?s End Camp where we?ll celebrate with champagne!

Expect early starts, and strenuous but rewarding hikes of 10 to 12 miles per day in an area of the Northeast not hiked by ADK. Approximate lodging cost $385.00 per person for the week based on double occupancy.

Call leader for details about lodging and carpooling. Itinerary is weather dependent.

Register by Sat Aug 11.

Lanny Wexler (516) 644-5867 call 7?10 p.m. or highpt43@verizon.net

Mosaic in Colorado for Labor Day Weekend What: 22nd Annual Labor Day Outdoors Weekend When: Thursday, August 30th thru Monday, September 3rd, 2012 Where: JCC Ranch Camp near Colorado Springs, Colorado Why: Join the largest gathering of Jewish outdoor enthusiasts in North America and meet other Jewish adventurers from around the world who love the outdoors; build your outdoor skills and explore the heart of the Rocky Mountains -- all while having a lot of fun? Details: Daytime activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding, swimming, nature walks, rock climbing, historical visits, rafting and relaxing in camp. Nighttime activities include delicious dinners, campfires, singing, Shabbat services, dancing, entertainment and night hikes. Stay tuned for more info this spring!

SAVE THE DATE!

7:00 PM till Midnight (doors open at 6:45pm)


at Ansche Chesed, 251 West 100th Street (near West End Ave)


Music, Dancing, Snacks and Games


BYOB and kosher wine

Catch up with old friends! Meet new friends!

More details to come,....