2025, Ecodharma, Events, Hikes, Hudson Valley, Program
Published on 2025-11-01

Fri. 11/28/2025: Black Friday Hike on Hook Mountain for Inner & Outer Exploration

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Scenic view of a lake surrounded by greenery and a bench overlooking the water, under a partly cloudy sky.
Scenic view of a tranquil lake surrounded by greenery and aquatic plants under a cloudy sky.
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“Instead of going shopping, go outside.” – REI #OptOutside Campaign

Inspired by REI’s #OptOutside movement on Black Friday, we invite you to join us in the beautiful Hudson Valley for a guided, meditative hike—an opportunity to reconnect with both inner landscape and the natural world. 

This hike takes the scenic route along the Long Path—into the Rockland Lake State Park and up Hook Mountain. Enjoy expansive vistas from only 1.5 hours outside of the city, and an extraordinary area designated by the New York Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area.

Much of the hike will be observed in silence and we will integrate nature meditation practices throughout the day — allowing our senses to come alive and our sense of separateness to fall away.  Together, we will cultivate a deeper intimacy with the land—and with our inner landscape—moving through the day with reverence and presence.

We will foster a reciprocal mindset: as the land nourishes us, we give back through gratitude, awareness, and care.  Through this shared exploration, we will reflect on what it means to see the dharma in wilderness, and to walk through the world with presence, connection, and awe. 

The hike will be approximately from 10am – 3pm.

When: 9:45am-3pm, Friday, November 28, 2025

Who: Lin Wang Gordon

Where: Rockland Lake State Park, South Entrance on Route 9W and Lake Road, Valley Cottage, NY, 10989. (Use “753 Route 9W” for Rockland Roots GPS. The park entrance should be one block ahead). It’s parking field #4. There is a picnic table under a big tree near the toll booth of the parking lot. 

Length and Elevation: Approximately 5.8 miles, 698 ft elevation – Relatively moderate hike, but there are sections of ups and downs, please bring hiking poles and wear proper hiking shoes.

Meeting Time: We’ll meet a picnic table right next to the park lot at 9:45am.  Restrooms will be available.

Welcome sign at the South Entrance of Rockland Lake State Park surrounded by trees and a cloudy sky.
View of the parking area at Rockland Lake State Park, featuring a sign indicating parking fields are open today, with a backdrop of rolling hills and a partly cloudy sky.
A man walking towards a picnic area under a large tree in a park. The background shows a parking lot with several cars and trees. The scene is set on a clear day.

Drivers: Since not many people have cars in NYC, if you do have one, offering rides to your fellow hikers will be deeply appreciated.  We will try to coordinate rides to reduce the transportion cost either from the city or from the Tarrytown train station. 

Expect an $8 parking fee. Arrive by 9:45 a.m. and drive into the Rockland Lake State Park, South Entrance on Route 9W and Lake Road, Valley Cottage, NY. (299 Lake Rd. Valley Cottage, NY, 10989).  There is another parking lot about a mile further north on Route 9W (parking lot #2).  Please make sure you are at parking lot #4.  South Entrance parking lot is an open space with a lot of picnic tables and a large building complex.

Carpool:  We will coordinate carpooling a few days before the hike. Please register as early as possible and fill out the carpooling survey on the registration confirmation email,  so we have ample time to coordinate carpooling. Registration is closed on EOD, Tue. 11/25.

Public Transportation: Take the Metro North Hudson Line (~8:15-8:30 am) at Grand Central to Tarrytown Station by ~ 9:15am.  Take a 20-minute cab ride from Tarrytown to Rockland Lake State Park South Entrance on Route 9W and Lake Road, Valley Cottage, NY. (299 Lake Rd. Valley Cottage, NY, 10989).  We will try to arrange drivers to pick up participants from the train station whenever possible.  On the return trip, you will take the ~3:57pm train back from Tarrytown to Grand Central.  Exact train schedule to be confirmed when it gets closer since it will run on a holiday schedule. 

The program fee does not include transportation cost.

Maximum enrollment: 28 people

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No prior meditation experience needed.

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