Palisades Interstate Park

Welcome to the rugged, awe-inspiring expanse of the Palisades Interstate Park. Spanning the western banks of the Hudson River, this extraordinary geological formation forms a natural boundary between New Jersey and New York. …

We begin our journey by leaving the relative comfort of the rim and committing to the descent down the cliff face. The transition is immediate and jarring. …

Having safely reached the bottom, we are now walking along the shoreline trail, parallel to the mighty Hudson River. The perspective from here is profoundly different. …

We now approach a warning sign that strikes fear and excitement into the hearts of local hikers: 'Difficult Rock Scramble Ahead.' This is the entrance to the infamous boulder field, often referred to as the Giant Stairs. The…

Deep within the boulder field, the concept of time begins to warp. You may find yourself scrambling over these massive rock clusters for hours, and the landscape remains mercilessly unchanged. …

Just as the physical and mental fatigue of the boulder field threatens to become overwhelming, a shift in the environment offers a moment of profound salvation. First, you hear it: a faint, consistent rushing sound that cuts…

The respite is over. It is time to pay the toll for the elevation lost at the beginning of the hike. …

As you drag yourself over the final crest and collapse onto the flat, forgiving earth of the rim trail, the sense of accomplishment is absolute. You have survived the Palisades. …