Staten Island’s Spring Hike Treks in Greenbelt

Greenbelt’s trails crunched last night with Staten Island’s Spring Hike, stepping NYC’s season. Guide Jay Patel led 50 through woods, a $10 trek at dusk in Clove Lakes. It’s borough boots—pure SI vibe, paths wild. A kid spotted a deer; a pro snapped oaks. ‘Staten walks—this is it,’ Patel says, pointing tracks. The trees turned journey.

The hike’s fresh—March 25’s start, it tripled since RSVPs, packing trails by 5 p.m. Patel’s a St. George trekker; last night’s crowd hit max—leaves rustled. A latecomer nabbed a map; dusk fell—NYC grit glowed. Logs hit 3 miles—steps ruled. #SIHike trended; Bronx wants a trail.

Some griped—’Too buggy,’ sniped a newbie, swatting flies. Mud slipped—boots held; grit shone. A rival’s pitching a Tottenville stroll, splitting paths. Still, 60 stayed—nature reigned. Greenbelt’s never trekked so bold.

Patel’s teasing a monthly run, maybe a dawn if spring bites. ‘NYC’s wild—this finds it,’ he says, folding maps. The hike’s a Staten win—grit meets green. It’s a trail rush; join the next. Bring boots—woods call.