About Town: Rachel's Rangers

Before there were local, organized summer camp programs, generations of kids from Fort Lee, Edgewater, Englewood Cliffs and Tenafly spent countless afternoons hiking and exploring the woods and cliffs of the Palisades with their friends.

Times certainly have changed; imagine today’s parents telling their 10-year-olds to go out and not come home until dinner? However, even though we’ve become more cautious about sending our children outside unescorted and unsupervised, a child’s naturally heightened curiosity to explore their surroundings remains the same.

In keeping with this tradition, the Palisade Interstate Park Commission is once again offering a series of free hikes called Rachel’s Rangers, designed to both entertain and educate your child. Since the woods and cliffs of the Palisades make up our town’s (and many others') front yard, wouldn’t it be great for your kids to learn as much as they can about the mysteries they hold?

Rachel’s Rangers

Sponsored by the staff of the historic Kearney House, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission will once again offer the ever-popular Rachel’s Rangers. Rachel’s Rangers is named after Rachel Kearney--a woman who occupied the Kearney House in the 19th century, kept a tavern and raised nine children there.

Rachel’s Rangers is a hiking program that consists of a series of three hiking adventures offered at 10 a.m. on three consecutive Tuesdays in August—Aug. 2, Aug. 9 and Aug. 16.

Each hike is about two hours and covers about three miles of relatively easy trails. The hikes are recommended for children ages five and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult on all hikes.

Children who participate in all three hikes will receive a certificate honoring them as “Rachel’s Rangers.”

Here is a schedule of the hikes:

Aug. 2:  Hike to “Who Rock”

This hike takes the Long Path at the top of the cliffs where the hikers will get a chance to see the Women’s Federation Monument on their way to “Who Rock.” This is a great opportunity for children (and adults) to visit this piece of treasured history buried on the cliffs of the Palisades.

Along the way, hikers will also get a chance to stop and explore other treasures that lay hidden on the Palisades.

Although a relatively easy hike, this hike is the longest of the three being offered and includes steep slopes and hillsides. 

Hikers will meet at 10 a.m. at the State Line Lookout in Alpine; Northbound PIP just opposite Exit 3.

Aug. 9: Hike to Cape Fly Away

Cape Fly Away is just north of the Alpine Landing and filled with rich history. Beginning in the 19th century, Cape Fly Away was home to a community of farmers and fisherman. It includes fishing docks, excursion coves, stone stairways that descend the cliffs to the river and was even home to a bone factory.

Hikers meet at 10 a.m. at the Kearney House, which is located just beyond the parking area of the Alpine Boat Basin; Exit 2 on the PIP.

Aug. 16: Hike to Pickletown

“Pickletown” was another 19th century settlement on the Hudson River shore. This hike will take children on an exploration of the remains of a huge stone bathhouse that was built by the Park Commission in the 1920s for visitors who came to swim at Bloomer’s Beach and a secluded 19th-century cemetery.

Hikers meet at 10 a.m. at Bloomer’s Beach, north of the Englewood Boat Basin and Picnic Area; Exit 1 on the PIP.      

Sturdy shoes and long-sleeved clothing to protect hikers from poison ivy and ticks are recommended. It’s also recommended that hikers wear insect repellant and sunscreen and bring water to drink.

Parents and caregivers can call 201-768-1360, ext. 108 on the day of the hike to confirm if the weather is questionable.