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Hudson Highlands Hiking
Hudson
Highlands State Park consists of approximately 4,200 acres. It is
administered by the Taconic Region of the New York State Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The 1,024-acre Fishkill
Ridge Conservation Area, owned by Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc., is
managed as an extension of the Park. Lands acquired by the Open Space
Institute, a non-profit, privately funded conservation organization,
provide additional recreational opportunities in the region. These are
the North Redoubt area and Arden Point in Garrison and a tract providing
access to Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus) from the east.
| North of Cold Spring |
South of Cold Spring |
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Click
the maps for a larger view |
Fishkill
Ridge. Follow the Fishkill Ridge Trail (white) from the metal tanks of
the Beacon water supply, reached by a narrow road which branches off of
East Main Street 0.2 miles east of Howland Avenue. The trail makes a loop
along the ridgeline over Lamb's Hill and Bald Hill with fine views of the
urban and rural areas to the north, east and west. The round trip from the
water tanks is about seven miles. The loop also may be reached from the
east on the Wilkinson Memorial Trail (yellow) beginning on the Old Albany
Post Road (old Uhl Road) off Route 9, three miles north of Route 301.
South
Beacon Mountain. Marked by its abandoned fire tower, this is the
highest summit of the Hudson Highlands. The hike begins on the Notch Trail
(blue) on Route 9D, four miles north of Cold Spring. Where. the Notch
Trail turns off to the right at the junction with the Wilkinson Memorial
Trail (yellow), continue on the Wilkinson. The Breakneck Ridge Trail
(white) joins from the right and then breaks away sharply uphill to the
left; follow it up Devil's Ladder to the top. The round trip is about six
miles.
Breakneck
Ridge. A climb over some of the steepest terrain in the Highlands,
plus some of its most dramatic views, make Breakneck an exhilarating
outing, although not a good choice in slippery conditions or strong winds.
The Breakneck Ridge Trail (white) begins just north of the tunnel on Route
9D, 2.1 miles north of Cold Spring. Several viewpoints are passed, each
followed by a brief descent and another steep climb before the top of the
ridge is reached. Continue past the junction with the Notch Trail (blue)
to where the two trails diverge. Bear left on the Notch Trail, then left
again on the Wilkinson Memorial Trail (yellow), which returns you to Route
9D 0.3 mi. north of the tunnel. The Wilkinson passes over Sugarloaf North,
with views including Bannerman's Castle on Pollepel Island. The total
distance is 5.5 miles. A trail scheduled to open in 1997 will connect
Breakneck Ridge and Bull Hill.
Bull
Hill (Mt. Taurus).The Washburn Trail (white) begins on Route 9D, 0.8
mile north of Cold Spring, skirts an abandoned quarry, then rises steeply,
with ever wider views to the south and west before reaching the wooded
summit. Continuing north past a clearing with a view of the Shawangunks
and Catskills, the Washburn Trail ends at the beginning of the Notch Trail
(blue). The Notch Trail descends the north side of the mountain, then
turns west. At the Breakneck Brook crossing, turn left on the Brook Trail
(red) which follows the stream on an eroded woods road past numerous
remains of an abandoned estate. This trail leads down to Route 9D 1.7
miles north of Cold Spring. A more popular route is to leave the trail and
return by way of the graded Dairy Road, which ends at a gate only 0.2
miles north of the Washburn trailhead. This route is 4.5 miles in length.
White
Rock/Canada Hill. There are many opportunities for circular hikes in
the Southern Highlands. One hike is to start from the east via the AT
(white) where it crosses Route 9 at its junction with Route 403. Where the
AT turns left to climb the ridge, take the Carriage Connector (yellow)
which ends at the Osborn Loop (blue). Continue straight ahead on the
Osborn Loop to the junction with the Sugarloaf South Trail (red). A side
trip (one mile round trip) to the top of Sugarloaf South yields views up
the river to West Point and south to Bear Mountain Bridge. The Osborn Loop
turns south along the western flank of the mountain and then turns uphill
to reach its southern terminus at the AT. Follow the AT north along the
ridge and then descend to the junction with the Carriage Connector. This
loop hike is about 6.5 miles excluding the side trip.
Anthony's
Nose. From this southern gatepost of the East Highlands, there are
broad views of the Hudson Valley to the south, Iona Island and Bear
Mountain Bridge in the foreground and the heights of Bear Mountain Park
across the river. Its viewpoints are favorites with birdwatchers for
observing eagles, hawks and vultures. The Camp Smith Trail (blue) begins
at the old stone toll house on Route 6, 0.7 mile north of the Camp Smith
entrance. Over its 3.1 mile course to the summit, roughly parallel to the
highway, the trail rises 1,100 feet. If a second car has been parked just
north of the Bear Mountain Bridge, continue northeast another 0.6 mile to
the Appalachian Trail coming up from Route 9D. The half mile descent to
the highway on the AT brings the total distance to 4.2 miles.
New
York-New Jersey Trail Conference volunteers construct trails and provide
general maintenance, including blazing, brush clearing, removal of
fallen trees and erosion control. The National Park Service has
transferred additional responsibilities for the Appalachian Trail to the
Trail Conference.
This information is excerpted from the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference brochure, “Hiking Trails in
Hudson Highlands State Park.” Hikers should not embark on any of these trails without the proper preparations, i.e. maps, water, proper clothing, etc. Maps of these trails may be obtained from the Conference at:
232 Madison Ave., #802
New York, NY 10016
(212) 685-9699
Email: nynjtc@aol.com
Web site: http://www.nynjtc.org
Trail Use
Stay
on the trails to minimize the impact on the forest environment. Shortcuts
across switchbacks, which lead to erosion problems, are especially
damaging.
Maintaining
a quality hiking experience requires keeping the trails free of litter and
the environment undisturbed. Carry out and take home everything you bring
in.
Wear
sturdy shoes or boots with non-slip soles. Dress in layers of clothing so
you can adjust for changing conditions.
Blazed
trails sometimes traverse private property, the result of carefully
negotiated agreements. Exercise care so the trail status is not
endangered. If unmarked trails or woods roads extend into private
property, respect the privacy of the owners and do not trespass.
Health and Safety
Be
conscious of your risks. An injury on the trail, where there is no quick
access to medical help, is always a serious matter, especially in winter,
or on a seldom-used trail where assistance in an emergency cannot be
counted on. Leaving the route you plan to hike and the time you expect to
return with a responsible person is a sensible precaution if you hike
alone.
No
water found on the trails is safe to drink. Carry an adequate supply of
water with you.
The
deer tick, which transmits Lyme Disease, is common in this area. In its
nymph stage, it is no larger than a pinhead. Light colored clothing will
make ticks easier to detect. Long sleeves and trousers tucked into socks
will help, but there is no sure defense. Check yourself thoroughly after
every hike.
Rabies
is prevalent in raccoons, skunks and bats. Avoid any direct contact with
wildlife.
Poison
ivy is widespread in some sections. Keeping to the center of trails will
help avoid it, as well as minimize exposure to ticks.
Restrictions
The
trails are restricted to day use only. Camping or making fires is not
permitted.
No
vehicles are permitted on any hiking trails. This includes mountain bikes
as well as all terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles and snowmobiles.
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