Meet Victor, your Trip Host
Hi, I'm Victor and I'm excited to be your trip host for this trip!
Find all my upcoming hikes here.
Let’s Hike Mills Reservation Trail
Let’s Hike Mills Reservation Trail
- GET 50% OFF THIS TRIP WITH A MEMBERSHIP. LEARN MORE HERE.
Updated Nov 2024
Escape the routine and join us for an easy hike through Mills Reservation! Wander through a serene bamboo forest, enjoy stunning views of the Manhattan Skyline, and connect with fellow nature lovers. It’s the perfect opportunity to recharge and explore the beauty of the outdoors together. See you on the trail!
Pack your favorite sandwich and drink, we will have a snack break on the trail.
This trip is rated BEGINNER. See General Trip Information below.
IS THIS A HOSTED EXPERIENCE?
Yes! Your trip hosts will be experienced hosts and they habla Español.
MEETING YOUR TRIP HOST
- Meeting Point: 7th Avenue / 31st Street Entrance (Down Escalators), Penn Station.
- Meeting Time: 10am
- Boarding Time: 10:29am
- Train Departs: 10:11am
- Destination: Mountain Avenue
- Train Ticket Price: $17.80 dollars (RT)
- Travel Time: 45 min (One Way)
You will be back at New York around 3:30pm. This is a referential time, this could change according to the group pace.
ABOUT YOUR HIKE
- Hike Route: AllTrails Map. You can download the iOS version here or the Android version here. To view the trails, you must have an AllTrails account.
- Place: Mills Reservation
- Difficulty: Easy. The perceived difficulty may increase if you are a beginner hiker or not physically active.
- Lowest Elevation: 356 ft (108 mt)
- Highest Elevation: 568 ft (173 mt)
- Elevation Gain: 489 ft (149 mt)
- Distance: 4.6 mi (10 km) – This includes the walk from the train station to the trailhead.
- Hiking Time: 2 hr 30 min. This could change according to the group pace.
WEATHER
Check the weather forecast here. This trip occurs rain or shine.
TRIP REVIEW
General Trip Information
THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HIKING
All levels of difficulty are mentioned in the trip description above. Please keep in mind that the perceived level of difficulty varies from person to person; therefore, if you’re a beginner, it may seem more challenging to you than to others.
Learn more in Trip Ratings below.
We recommend wearing hiking shoes, sunglasses, and a hat.
Additionally, please bring repellent, water, and snacks, as the group will have lunch at the trail’s summit.
Don’t forget to check the weather forecast to ensure you wear appropriate clothing.
You will receive a very informative Welcome email with all the details about your trip approximately 72 hours prior to your trip.
Learn more in After You Book below.
WHERE CAN I BUY TRAIN TICKETS?
- TrainTime App: This is the official app for buying tickets. You can download the iOS version here or the Android version here
- Grand Central: Ticket offices and automatic machines are available at Grand Central. If you choose this option, please arrive at Grand Central early to allow enough time for your purchase.
- Onboard the Train: While it’s possible to buy tickets on the train, I’m not certain whether they accept credit cards and/or cash. However, it’s worth noting that purchasing tickets onboard is typically more expensive.
Please note that your ticket won't display the train time because:
- If you purchase the ticket through the TrainTime App, you will need to activate it when boarding the train.
- If you buy the ticket at the ticket office, you will need to present it to the ticket checker on the train.
ABOUT TRIP RATINGS
Guidance by Outerthere, Updated August 2023
PACE
Everyone goes at their own pace and regardless of the pace you're on, you will never get left behind or be made to feel as though you’re slowing down your group. Whether you’re coming out for fitness or to just enjoy nature, the pace of the group can accommodate you.
BEGINNER
Beginner trips and activities are for anyone physically active at least one to three times per week, including kids ages 5+.
Beginner hiking trips, for example, may cover 0 to 3 miles in distance where you will be walking across unpaved, natural terrain anywhere between 2 to 4 hours with plenty of breaks or an experience will include basic training.
Elevation is within 1,000 feet. And some features may require you to use your hands for leverage, balance, and even getting up or down.
Beginner trips are generally labeled "Easy" or "Beginner-friendly" and in the case of water-based trips (i.e. kayaking), will be on calmer lakes and slow moving rivers. For beginner camping trips, we may go from trailhead to campground without backpacking.
Regardless of the pace you're able to keep, you will not be left behind and will be supported with demonstrations or other instruction until you're comfortable performing the basic activity.
Beginner trips are recommended for anyone who little-to-no experience, but wants to get more acquainted with that activity.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Like Beginner trips, but with more consideration to kids and pets. (For example, other parents/nannies will be present and are happy to support your kid, expect activities your kids will enjoy, baby changing stops and areas are considered, area is walkable with carrier or stroller).
INTERMEDIATE
Intermediate trips are a bit more challenging than Beginner trips, but completely doable for anyone active 3 to 5 times per week, including pre-teenagers.
An Intermediate trip may cover 3 to 7 miles, during which you'll be moving anywhere between 4 to 8 hours with breaks.
If you're participating in an Intermediate trip, you will be expected to have had some basic experience with this activity. You may already own some gear and/or equipment specifically designed for the activity and will be OK with unexpected weather.
And you may even be asked to support Beginners transitioning up to Intermediate.
Elevation is within 3,000 feet. And some features may require you to use your hands for leverage, balance, and even getting up or down. You'll feel it in your calves, quads, hams, shoulders, back, and arms next day.
Intermediate water-based trips (i.e. kayaking, rafting) generally assume you're comfortable in open water and/or with fast-moving water. Although you don't have to know how to swim, if you're participating in an Intermediate trip, it's recommended.
You will need to focus and stay alert at all times for your safety.
When you’re done, you may say to yourself you’ll never do a trip like that again, but afterwards, you’ll look forward to the next one.
These trips are recommended for anyone interested in stepping up their outdoor game or anyone about to start a training program.
ADVANCED
Advanced is intended for anyone (including teenagers) who is active almost every day and could probably put together their own trip, but prefers going in a group with other Advanced fam.
They may cover 7 or more miles during which you'll be moving 8+ hours. Destinations, elevation and weather will be challenging.
If you're participating in an Advanced trip, you will be expected to have had some basic experience with this activity. You may already own all gear and/or equipment specifically designed for the activity and are knowledgeable with how to use it.
Advanced water-based trips (i.e. kayaking, rafting) will require you to comfortable in all types of water. You should know how to swim.
These trips are recommended for anyone thinking about DIY trips and need some additional guidance, anyone training to do epic, multi-day treks, and/or anyone interested in mixing up their normal weekly workout.
IMPORTANT HEAD UP ABOUT ADVANCED PACE: Please be aware that some fam will attend a trip convinced that they are prepared for an Advanced trip, including maybe you. However, they may have discovered on that trip that they are not as Advanced as they expected. That is perfectly normal and in no way reflects a miscommunication or misunderstanding by anyone. Like it says in Welcome emails, sh_t happens and your trip host can manage.
If that's the case, and you or someone else on your trip is having a challenging time, other fam may be asked to support anyone who is having a challenging time maintaining an Advanced pace. This can mean that someone is going at a slower pace due to injury, dehydration, affected mental state, anything. In any case, trips are safe spaces and no one will be made to feel as though they are being a burden or left behind.
SCOUTING
Scouting trips are meant for us to "test the adventure" (like breaking gadgets on purpose to see if they'll hold up to regular use) and figure out all the risks before planning a safe adventure for everyone else.
That said, since we won't always know what to expect, sometimes these scouting trips are very easy and even boring.
Or they are very challenging and extremely dangerous. We won't know until we try it.
Either way, they're fun for anyone who has already participated in Intermediate or Advanced trips, are open to anything and don't mind the unexpected inconveniences (weather, car issues, whatever) that come up on the way to a new experience.
These trips are recommended for anyone with advanced outdoor skills, lots of experience in the outdoors and a variety of outdoor gear.
AFTER YOU BOOK
All the details about your trip - including the most up-to-date weather, packing list and itinerary (especially for pickups) - lands in your inbox 72 hours prior to your trip date.
The sender will be "Al at Outerthere" and the subject of the Welcome email will be "Welcome to [name of trip]" and is only sent from info@ outerthere.com.
Here's what it'll look like in your inbox:
Please make sure you let your Gmail/iPhone know that this sender and email address are important.
Additionally, you should have received a confirmation for your reservation and a separate Thank You email with the subject, "You've reserved a trip on Outerthere!"
If your trip is within 72 hours and you still haven't seen any emails from us, please check your spam folder or "newsletters" folder in Gmail.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, ask us in the chatbox here or reply to any email you've received from our official email, info@ outerthere.com.
I'M DRIVING. HOW'S THE PARKING?
If you are driving, please arrive before the start time. Find your trip host waiting by the trailhead.
If you think you will be late to the destination, kindly notify us via text, chat or replying to this email.
There is ample free parking at all Metro North train stations on weekends.
There is limited parking at trailhead parking lots including Cold Spring, Beacon and Breakneck.
Additionally, there is no street parking permitted in Beacon near trailhead.
If parking lots at are full, we suggest parking at the Metro North train stations. It's easier than looking for street parking on main streets.
NEED TO CANCEL?
Please note that paragraph #4 and #6 in our No Questions Asked Refunds & Cancellations Policy apply on this trip.
DISCLAIMER
TIME, DATE & DESCRIPTIONS POSTED HERE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR ANY REASON. Details regarding your trip will be emailed to you after you book.