Bear Mountain Oktoberfest Hike

October 5, 2019
Anthony Wayne Rec Area, Bear Mountain, NY

These are just a few of the attractions of the five-hour Bear Mountain Oktoberfest hike in Bear Mountain, NY.

This hike includes a portion of what many believe is the best section of the Appalachian Trail in the tri-state area. This out-and-back hike starts and ends in the parking lot of the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area, returning just as the Oktoberfest festivities get underway.

A fun day that offers something for everyone, this hike is a great way to meet new friends, enjoy the natural beauty of the Bear Mountain area, and hike on a stretch of the oldest long-distance trail in America.

Registration Is Free

Instead of charging a fee, we ask your help raising funds for mental health research and trail maintenance.

It's fast and easy! When you register, you will be able to personalize a sponsorship page and share it through email and your favorite social media such as Facebook or Instagram. How does it work?  

Every little bit helps, and there is no minimum to raise – we just ask that you help us spread the word, then come join us on the trail.

Get a Free Hiking Shirt

Our quick-dry shirts look and feel great, on or off the trail.

Every registered hiker who raises at least $100 will receive a HIKE for Mental Health shirt as a token of our appreciation.

Available in men's or women's sizes SMALL – XXL.

When you register, we will ask your size preference. Once you reach $100 in donations to your fundraising page, we will get your shirt to you.

If you hit the $100 ten days before the hike, your hike leader will have your shirt for you on hike day. Otherwise, we will mail it to you after the hike.

So help us raise money and awareness for this great cause.

For a Good Cause

HIKE for Mental Health is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

While all our other hikes throughout the year support our mission causes, the Bear Mountain hike is our one event that helps offset the costs of running HIKE for Mental Health.

We fund our operating costs largely out of our own pockets, but as we have grown, so too have the expenses. We still contribute thousands of dollars of our money, but we need a little help to keep growing.

For example, when we receive a $100 credit card donation, the credit card processing service keeps about $3. We get $97. But we make that amount whole so that $100 goes to our mission.

We also have expenses for maintaining our website, printing flyers, maintaining liability insurance, buying shirts and bandanas, etc. We are all volunteers so no money goes to anyone connected with HIKE for Mental Health.

So we hope you will sign up and ask your friends to sponsor you. The money all goes for a great cause. You can see more details about our funding and expenses in our 990 financial filing with the IRS.

All contributions are tax deductible, and 100% of the hike donations support our mission.

Hike Details

Location:	Anthony Wayne Recreation Area, Bear Mountain, NY
Date:	October 5, 2019.
Time:	8 AM - 2 PM. Exact times and locations with directions provided to registered hikers only.
Distance:	Approximately 9.6 miles.
Difficulty level:	Moderate to difficult, with some steep sections.
Suitable for beginners?	Absolutely! A great hike for beginners who and can readily climb a 5 flights of stairs without stopping and still be smiling.
Registration fee	Registration is free.
Pet friendly?	Dogs are welcome in the park but must be on a leash no longer than 6 ft.
Sponsorship amount:	The hike goal is $2,000. There is no minimum required to join the hike, but if every hiker raised $200, we would get very close to our goal.
Free shirt:	Hikers who raise $100 or more will receive a free HIKE for Mental Health quick-dry hiking shirt.
Free gear:	The top fundraiser for this hike will receive a Hennessey Hammock Ultralight Backpacker Asym Classic hammock and accessory kit, which retails for $220. This multi-award-winning design was generously donated by Hennessey Hammock. The winner will be the hiker registered for this hike with the highest fundraising total on his or her fundraising page by the end of day, one week after the hike, with minimum raised of at least $400.
Hike director:	An avid hiker and trail angel, Donna Chapman is a volunteer-maintainer of the Wiley Shelter on the Appalachian Trail in Pawling, NY. She is a fantastic photographer and has generously contributed many photos on the HIKE for Mental Health website. Donna is also the Harlem Valley Appalachian Trail Community Ambassador and was featured in the Appalachian Trail Journey's quarterly magazine.

Trail Map

Every HIKE for Mental Health is an opportunity to:

• get away from the hustle and bustle of work-a-day life and enjoy the beauty of Nature
• renew old friendships and make new ones
• have a great time hiking with a good group of people
• stand up against the stigma of mental illness
• discover your new favorite get-away
• raise money for a great cause

Come on out and join us!

Questions

If you have any questions or ideas, please contact us.

We are glad to talk with you about your hike and how you can help HIKE for Mental Health.

We hope you will make HIKE for Mental Health a part of your hike.

Go to Schedule of Hikes