I've always been intrigued about the parcel of land known as the Greenbrook Sanctuary, located just across Route 9W from the Tenafly Nature Center,
situated atop the mighty Palisades cliffs overlooking the Hudson River. Their
online map shows a network of trails with plenty of viewpoints and other points of interest. And the fact that it is open to only members also
piqued my interest. What is in there? So Laura and I decided to become members for a year. We sent in the check and application on Monday and got our
membership package on Friday. It included car decals, ID cards and keys (yes, keys -- without a key you can't get it the main gate just off Route 9W).
So today we set off to see what was inside this "magic garden".
We were not disappointed! Not unexpectedly, we encountered almost no other hikers on the trails despite the fact that it was the most beautiful day for hiking so far this year, with temperatures in the 60s. We did see a group of three hikers within the first few minutes, but for the remaining three hours we felt as if we owned the place. I mapped out a grand loop that touched the southern tip, the northern tip, and just about every attraction in between. Total distance was nearly 4 miles in about 3 hours. The sanctuary is indeed a wonderful place to get away. We plan on going back again soon.
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Outside Orientation and Education center |
Displays inside |
Hawk |
Bird viewing station |
On the Cliff trail |
On the South End trail |
Hudson from the South End trail |
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[Photo by Laura] |
Bridge over Lost Brook |
Palisades cliffs |
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At Patriot's Leap |
Looking for graffiti |
Graffiti at Patriot's Leap |
Hudson looking south |
Hudson looking north |
Photographing graffiti |
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Damned tree hugger |
On Cliff Edge trail |
Washington's Profile |
Steps to ... |
... Arboretum Point |
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Structure opposite Arboretum Point |
Near Greenbrook Pond overlook |
Semi-frozen Greenbrook Pond |
Bench at ... |
... Duck-Hawk Lookout |
[Photo by Laura] |
Hudson looking south |
Barge on the Hudson |
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Near Pillar Point |
Pillar Point plaque |
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The dizzying Pillar Point |
Palisades Cliffs from ... |
... Pillar Point [photo by Laura] |
Lambier's Dock far below |
Gorgeous cliffs |
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Another Hudson barge |
A busy Hudson |
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View of cliffs south |
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On Greenbrook Pond dam |
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Outhouse near pond |
Green Brook |
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[Photo by Laura] |
On the Big Loop trail |
Greenbrook Falls |
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Closer view of falls |
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Sweet gum balls |
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Horned Owl trail |
The Lincoln tree ... |
... took root 200 years ago! |
Deer on ... |
... Horned Owl trail |
Bald Eagle Point trail |
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A short break |
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Mourning dove |
View from Bald Eagle Point |
Old homesite |
Inside old homesite |
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Old cellar on Horned Owl trail |
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Pond from Dead End trail |
Greenbrook Pond |
Cascades of Boulevard Brook |
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Duck ... |
... on Greenbrook Pond |
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Sphagnum Bog trail |
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Bridge on Bog trail |
Road back to parking lot |
Wild turkeys [photo by Laura] |
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