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Ascent to Manhattan High Point-Fence Around Park on 2012-01-06

Climber: Eli Wolfhagen

Date:

Friday, January 6, 2012

Ascent Type:

Unsuccessful - Turned Back

Point Reached:

Manhattan High Point - Fence Around Park

Location:

USA-New York

Elevation:

262 ft / 79 m

Remaining Elevation:

3 ft / 1 m (1% left to go)

Ascent Trip Report

What? An unsuccessful attempt on an urban highpoint in a public park?! Well sadly I did not know before I went (nor incidentally did I know to check the "Know Before You Go" section of the Bennett Park page on NYC Parks website) that the park is under renovations until "Summer 2012". So I thought I'd share this for others who like me are too lazy to actually check with the proper authorities before departing.

I had planned an arbitrarily more challenging ascent by walking from my apartment on 52nd Street and 8th Avenue up to 183rd Street and Fort Washington Avenue. I walked to Columbus Circle and then followed Broadway until 136th Street at which point I huffed up the hill to Amsterdam Avenue. I walked along Amsterdam up to 162nd Street where I switched to Saint Nicholas Avenue, which then merged with Broadway again at . which I followed until 181st Street. After a quick jaunt over to Fort Washington Avenue and a block and a half I was at the historical placard concerning the Revolutionary fortifications that were once located there. Only then a few steps further did I notice that the entire park was fenced in with a (quite large) "No Trespassing" sign. I stood at the fence, snapped a picture of the schist outcropping that forms the highpoint and tried to figure out when the park would reopen.

It was a nice day out and I was already in the neighborhood so I went over to The Cloisters in nearby Fort Tryon Park to try to salvage the outing. Then I took the A train back down to Columbus Circle and walked home. Needless to say, when the park does reopen, I will just take the A train to 181st Street and be done with it.

Summary Total Data

Elevation Gain:

332 ft / 100 m

Quality:

1 (on a subjective 1-10 scale)

Route Conditions:

Road Hike

Weather:

Cool, Breezy, Clear

Ascent Statistics

Elevation Gain:

332 ft / 100 m

Extra Loss:

130 ft / 39 m

Distance:

7.1 mi / 11.4 km

Route:

Broadway

Trailhead:

8th Ave & 52nd Street 60 ft / 18 m

Time Up:

2 Hours 15 Minutes

Descent Statistics

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