Thinking about doing this Saturday. I keep seeing the AT stop on the Harlem Line schedule but the service note is confusing. Do you have to wave at the engineer or is it a regular stop on weekends? Also: better to go north toward Route 55 or south toward Nuclear Lake for a six-ish mile day that doesn't need a car? I'm not trying to get stuck on a road walk. TrainTime app says tickets but no station building.

Not a regular stop like Southeast. It's a flag stop on weekends, and the conductor will tell you to be visible on the platform. If you're inside the train and want to get off, tell the conductor when they check your ticket; if you're boarding inbound, stand near the sign and raise your arm like you mean it. The engineer usually slows anyway. Sit in the first open car because the platform is short, not every door opens. I like the south route to Nuclear Lake, but it's more like 8 if you do the lake loop. Bring everything.

Okay, I thought that stop was fake on Google Maps, I'm glad someone asked. Do I need to change at Southeast or does some train from Grand Central go straight there? Also is there any water fill-up or should I carry like 2 liters? I've only done the walk to Van Cortlandt, so this feels more out there. Thanks!!

Astoria_amateur, no water fill-up unless you count the stream, and I wouldn't count that. Carry two liters for a warm day. Some trains go direct from GCT but not every one; check TrainTime. You can transfer at Southeast if you miss a direct. There's a port-a-john sometimes in the little lot on 22 but don't lean on it. For the OP: northbound to Hammersly Ridge is my rec for a shorter day. You get the climb, a couple ledges, then turn around and coast back to the station. South to Nuclear Lake has more flat/rocky and you can wander off track where the blazes turn on the old road.

Is this okay for a solo woman? I've been wanting to do a car-free hike and this thread is pushing me to just do it. But my biggest fear is missing the last train and having no signal. Is the trail crowded enough on a Saturday? Ticks too? Sorry, I know that's a boring question.

Big_city_beth, I've done it solo and never felt weird, but the stretch right off the platform is empty. Once you hit the AT blazes, you'll see other hikers, especially before noon. Ticks are bad up there, so tuck your socks and do a check at the viewpoint. Last train isn't that late, so set a turnaround time and give yourself 20 minutes back. I had one bar near the road and needed a power bank to scan my ticket. You'll be fine.

We did this last Sunday from Woodlawn? No, we caught it at Fordham. The conductor asked if we wanted the AT stop and then made an announcement. From the platform we just crossed at the crosswalk and found the white blazes in the trees. We went south a bit and got confused at the gravel road, but the white markers reappeared. It's true there is nothing around, so pack a lunch. We were back 25 minutes before the train and the platform had maybe 15 other day hikers. Great day.

Appreciate all the intel. I'll go north to Hammersly and turn around at the first real view, no lake detour. Bringing 2L, tick spray, and a paper map just in case. I'll be the guy standing on the yellow line waving like a lunatic.