Michael MartineauExplorer

Sleeping Giant State Park does not just have great hiking, it also has great climbing and bouldering. Pick up the blue trail starting at the backside of the visitor center. This trail climbs pretty steadily but take note that as you hike up the cliff below you is a great spot to checkout for bouldering and some top roping or trad climbing. When you get to the top of the mountain by the overlook...

Want to walk on the edge? visit Millbrook Mountain in the Catskills of NY. This loops hike follows the mountains ridge line most of the way to the summit with multiple viewpoints and cliff ledges to walk out on. This hike is recommended those in the area.Park at West Trapps Parking Lot and head all the way to the end to pick up the trail. You are going to follow this small trail up to the pede...

If you're a rock climber, then chances are you've got Zion National Park on your list of to do's, or must go back. The beautiful sandstone just keeps calling you back and asking you to climb more. Although not technically in the park, Lambs Knoll is right across the street in the north western part of Zion. It offers climbers a variety of different routes from sport to trad to top rope. There a...

Starting at the small beach at the end of Bay Blvd, paddle heading south. You will need to pass through the boat canal so keep an eye out for speeding boats. You're able to see the island from the starting point so you really don’t have to worry about getting lost. You will reach the island after paddling about .9 miles out. This is a great place to dock and do a little fishing if you bring a p...

Owls Head Mountain is a hot spot when it comes to hiking. For climbers, it's a great crag to hone in your skills and practice moving fluidly. The height of the wall is on the smaller side, I'd say somewhere around 50-55 feet. The view and rock quality, however, that is the real draw.  Once you've parked (be sure not to block the road or the driveways to the homes in the area) trek your way up. ...

Take in two unique views of the Adirondacks on one hike. Rooster Comb offers a great 5.2 mile round trip hike that gives you some unique vantage points. Starting from the parking lot you cross over a nice wooden bridge to the trail registry. Remember to sign in. Next you'll come up on a pond in which you want to keep left and follow along the banks. As you start heading away from the pond the c...

This loop hike takes you to Awosting Falls (65 ft.), as well as to great  valley views along the ridge of Dickie Barre, and across Peters Kill, on the way.Start out on West Trapps Connector Trail (yellow blazes) at the east end of the West Trapps parking lot (get their early because the lot will fill up quick). In 750 feet, turn left onto Shongum Path (red blazes), which will take you down rock...

Sleeping Giant State Park is a place very close to my heart. I spent 4 years right across the street at Quinnipiac University and have hiked “The Giant” more times then I can count and at all different hours. There are a few different trails you can explore but my favorite one is up to the cliffs at the “head” of the giant, then over to the castle (stone tower).Parking can be tricky, the lot is...

This is a relatively easy hike through Hacklebarney State Park that is great for families with younger children, rock scrambling, photography, and just hanging out in nature. There are two different ways to explore Hacklebarney, either by staying on the packed gravel path or by following the banks of Trout Brook and scrambling down the sides of some waterfalls. My suggested route is to follow t...

Paddleboarding on Lake Placid is definitely and activity to add to your list when up in the Adirondacks during spring or summer. Surrounded by mountains, there are multiple coves you can explore around the lake. There is no set route to follow but circling Buck Island or exploring Paradox Bay are great paddles. This is a big boating lake so be aware of passing boats. I suggest getting out early...

Have you ever wanted to feel as if you were hiking two different locations at once? If so, then North Mountain is definitely somewhere to check out. Take the birch tree forests around Aspen, CO and pair it with the spruces/pines of the Adirondacks and you'll have this route in the Catskills.Parking can be found on Scutt Road but get there early if you want a spot, otherwise park at the Visitors...

Every now and then you need a day to rest those sore muscle from all your recent adventures. The only issue is, you don't want to sit around inside, you want to be outside. Insert a trip to Kent Fall State Park. The perfect rest adventure day.Located 1 hour and 45 minutes north of New York City it is a perfect day trip/scouting trip for your next adventure. The parking lot is a good size but du...

Free soloing gets a lot of hype in the climbing world. No surprise, you're putting your life at risk basically. But, as climbers haven't you wanted to experience free soloing? You can, and you can take away some of the risk/death aspects of it by deep water soloing. This rare form of climbing can't be done just anywhere either.  The Palisades on Lake Champlain (between Essex, NY and Westport, N...

Looking for a great day hike in the Catskill region of NY? Then you should definitely look into and consider tackling Mt. Wittenberg then. A challenging climb up but a very rewarding summit view.Starting at Woodland Valley Campgrounds visitor registration house (where you can pay for parking for the day) follow the small road to the left through the campgrounds. You will reach a roundabout sect...

This is a great 5.5 mile hike at the Delaware Water Gap. You follow the Appalachian Trail the entire time (white marked trail) as it climbs to the top on Mt Minsi. There are multiple viewpoints on your way up that provide a great view of the water gap as well as some very picturesque trail points. The trail can be crowded especially on nice days.From the parking lot, the trail head is very easy...

One of New Jerseys best kept secrets has to be the Ken Lockwood Gorge. If you are looking for a relaxing, beautiful, and nature packs place then this area is perfect for you. You can access the gorge from two different points, either by driving down Raritan River Rd. and parking right before you enter (you can also driving part of the way through to the larger parking areas but the road is extr...

Brooklyn isn't just for the urban and trendy, its also for the people who love getting outside! Located just past the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn, Floyd Bennett Field is a National Recreation Area that features an Aviator Sports & Event Center (this was formerly an important NYC airport), the Jamaica Bay Riding Academy, the Brooklyn Golf Center and, yes, camping.The campground has 32 tent...

Start out by turning right when you walk out of the visitor center onto Sterling Lake Loop (Blue Blazes). The visitor center is worth going in as they have a full diorama of the park with LED light to show trail routes. About .3 miles into the hike you will cross over a small bridge with a waterfall running under it. When the trail reaches a road, continue to the right and take in the views of ...

If you are looking for a great campground up in the Catskill Mountains of New York then you definitely have to check out Woodland Valley Campgrounds. Located about 2 hours north of New York City, it is the perfect place to go to get off the grid. No service for about 30 minutes in any direction.This seems to be a popular campsite as almost every designated spot was full of either tents, RVs, or...

While there are many ways to access the Peconic Bay, I have found the best direction to explore is north west after launching and during the sunset. If you head to the public beach on Towd Point Rd. you can launch from there and make your way out toward Robins Island. Like most places the water is calmest while the sun is setting and gets to be so calm that is looks like a sheet of glass. The c...

This is not a hike for the inexperienced. There is a very steep rock scramble that has some dangerous section if you are not aware of your footing and positioning. For those up to the challenge, it is extremely rewarding at the top.To start, each person has to pay $12 to access the Monhonk Preserve. If you make a day out of this hike it is worth it (also always nice to donate to the conservatio...

This is an easy, yet very rewarding hike with a lot of viewpoints on the way up. Technically you scale up two mountains, Butter Hill and Storm King, but most people just describe it as Storm King Mountain. This is a great hike for families with younger kids, those who don't have much time but want to get a hike in, and those looking for great foliage shots of the Hudson Valley. The parking lot...

The Big Apple. NYC has arguably the best skyline in the world. So, if you are one of the millions of people visiting wouldn't you want to get some photos of the entire skyline to post on social media and show friend & family? Skip the boat and helicopter tour lines (although a cool experience, but pricey) and head over to JFK Boulevard East in Weehawken/West New York, NJ for jaw dropping vi...

Giant Ledge is a great hike in the Catskills if you are looking for something short, with incredible views, and camping options. There are not many hikes with better views then this in the Catskills, so why not spend as much time as possible up there?  There are a few camping spots you can grab when you get up to the ledge section but you will want the one directly to the right of the first ove...