Hike #7 – Headed to NY @ Schunnemunk Mountain State Park
Hike Day Edit:
The forecast for Schunnemunck area is not great, but it it is hikeable. Looks like some spotty showers leave the area around 9 AM and then there is a 50/50 chance of a. brief period of heavier rain around noon. With the temp so warm right now I think this is ok. No pressure and no problem if you'd rather sit this one out.
__________
Our 2nd hike of the season will be in New Windsor, NY at 9:00 AM on Sunday, May 20th. Lou has completed this hike before and it is one his local favorites. Don’t let the relatively short 6.2 miles fool you, this hike has plenty to offer: an open meadow section, a huge megalith, a taste of New England with numerous scrub pines scattered among open bedrock, an interesting boulder-field, and a distant view of the Hudson River and Storm King Mountain. If we are feeling well, we can extend the portion along the ridge-line to an additional 2 miles to an alternate viewpoint as well.
Of historical note, there was some fighting inside the park boundary during the Revolutionary War and Schennemunk (pronounced Skun-uh-munk) means "excellent fireplace" in Algonquin. It is also the highest point in Orange County.
A reprimand for not printing a map. Well, I admit you won't be reprimanded, but seriously, you are in an unfamiliar woods with spotty cell service, bring a map in case you are separated from the group.
Also, a good workout! A few sites have the trek up to the ridge-line rated as strenuous, but having hiked with this group in the past, don't worry, this is quite similar to the climbs of Mt Tammany or Buttermilk Falls. Take a short break when you need and all will be fine. For comparison purposes, the most difficult section of this climb is 1,150 ft in 1.2 miles. Tammany is 1,400 ft in 1.1 miles and Buttermilk Falls was 1,200 ft in 1.6 miles.
The hike starts through a wide open series of meadows and is home to some of my all time favorite local hiking photos. Alas, these were taken in the Autumn around 7 AM and I don't think it will be quite this beautiful on the 20th, but we can hope.
We'll soon head into the woods, cross a working NJ Transit railroad line, and then up to the aforementioned ridge-line, a 1,200 ft ascent and the only difficult section of trail. It also is particularly scenic and while the burn in your legs may not appreciate it, your state of mind certainly will.
Once up the ridge, we'll head southwest along Jessup Trail, which follows in and out of wide open rock formations past great looking scrub pines and several overlooks. The rock itself is of interest, with multiple instances of colored pink formations referred to as Puddingstone.
Around the overall 3-mile mark there is a huge open expanse on exposed bedrock, here we'll pause and look for the white-blazed Megaliths Trail. A megalith is a really old huge stone, and this one overlooks Washingtonville with the Catskills in the distance, and serves as the perfect lunch/snack break.
After the short walk back to Jessup Trail, we can choose to continue southwest towards another overlook, adding 2 total miles to the journey, or head Northeast via Dark Hallow Trail and back down to the valley. Dark Hallow passes through rhododendron tunnels, down some tricky and steep rocky sections, over a minor stream crossing, and along a portion of the ridge line facing south, including a nice view of the Hudson River and Storm King Mountain far in the distance.
The only tricky navigation section is the are-approach to the railroad tracks. It seems intuitive to cross as Dark Hallow ends, but instead, bear left onto Otterkill Trail for a few hundred feet, over a small stream, before joining Sweet Clover back to the parking lot
.
Mileage and Blazes
As always, a GPS is best. Navigating Route 17 area can be tricky.
Restrooms
I don’t recall seeing bathroom facilities, but there is a gas station near Woodbury Commons on Route 32.
The forecast for Schunnemunck area is not great, but it it is hikeable. Looks like some spotty showers leave the area around 9 AM and then there is a 50/50 chance of a. brief period of heavier rain around noon. With the temp so warm right now I think this is ok. No pressure and no problem if you'd rather sit this one out.
__________
Our 2nd hike of the season will be in New Windsor, NY at 9:00 AM on Sunday, May 20th. Lou has completed this hike before and it is one his local favorites. Don’t let the relatively short 6.2 miles fool you, this hike has plenty to offer: an open meadow section, a huge megalith, a taste of New England with numerous scrub pines scattered among open bedrock, an interesting boulder-field, and a distant view of the Hudson River and Storm King Mountain. If we are feeling well, we can extend the portion along the ridge-line to an additional 2 miles to an alternate viewpoint as well.
Of historical note, there was some fighting inside the park boundary during the Revolutionary War and Schennemunk (pronounced Skun-uh-munk) means "excellent fireplace" in Algonquin. It is also the highest point in Orange County.
- Follow Our Route on Your Phone with the Hiking Project App
- Difficulty – Moderate to Challenging. The climb up the ridge is 1,200 feet, similar to Mt Tammany for those that are familiar.
- Length – 6.2 Miles (though we can extend 2 miles if anyone is interested)
- Elevation Gain – Total of 1,400 ft – straight up to a ridge, follow it for a mile and a half, and then back down a new trail to complete a loop
- Expected Duration – 4-5 hours
- Park Trail Map
- Our Route
- Parking Location – Schunnemunk Mountain Trail Head, 17 Taylor Road, New Windsor, NY (41.407717, -74.081840)
A reprimand for not printing a map. Well, I admit you won't be reprimanded, but seriously, you are in an unfamiliar woods with spotty cell service, bring a map in case you are separated from the group.
Also, a good workout! A few sites have the trek up to the ridge-line rated as strenuous, but having hiked with this group in the past, don't worry, this is quite similar to the climbs of Mt Tammany or Buttermilk Falls. Take a short break when you need and all will be fine. For comparison purposes, the most difficult section of this climb is 1,150 ft in 1.2 miles. Tammany is 1,400 ft in 1.1 miles and Buttermilk Falls was 1,200 ft in 1.6 miles.
The hike starts through a wide open series of meadows and is home to some of my all time favorite local hiking photos. Alas, these were taken in the Autumn around 7 AM and I don't think it will be quite this beautiful on the 20th, but we can hope.
We'll soon head into the woods, cross a working NJ Transit railroad line, and then up to the aforementioned ridge-line, a 1,200 ft ascent and the only difficult section of trail. It also is particularly scenic and while the burn in your legs may not appreciate it, your state of mind certainly will.
Once up the ridge, we'll head southwest along Jessup Trail, which follows in and out of wide open rock formations past great looking scrub pines and several overlooks. The rock itself is of interest, with multiple instances of colored pink formations referred to as Puddingstone.
Around the overall 3-mile mark there is a huge open expanse on exposed bedrock, here we'll pause and look for the white-blazed Megaliths Trail. A megalith is a really old huge stone, and this one overlooks Washingtonville with the Catskills in the distance, and serves as the perfect lunch/snack break.
After the short walk back to Jessup Trail, we can choose to continue southwest towards another overlook, adding 2 total miles to the journey, or head Northeast via Dark Hallow Trail and back down to the valley. Dark Hallow passes through rhododendron tunnels, down some tricky and steep rocky sections, over a minor stream crossing, and along a portion of the ridge line facing south, including a nice view of the Hudson River and Storm King Mountain far in the distance.
The only tricky navigation section is the are-approach to the railroad tracks. It seems intuitive to cross as Dark Hallow ends, but instead, bear left onto Otterkill Trail for a few hundred feet, over a small stream, before joining Sweet Clover back to the parking lot
.
Mileage and Blazes
- 2.1 Miles - White-Sweet Clover Trail
- 0.9 Miles - Yellow-Jessup Trail (South)
- 0.2 Miles - White-Megalith Trail (Out and Back side trail, difficult to find)
- 0.3 Miles - Yellow-Jessup Trail (North)
- 1.6 Miles - Black-Dark Hallow Trail
- 0.1 Miles - Red-Otterkill Trail
- 1.0 Miles - Sweet Clover Trail
- OPTIONAL - After Megalith Trail head southwest on Jessup Trail 1 mile and back
As always, a GPS is best. Navigating Route 17 area can be tricky.
- Route 287 North into New York
- Exit Left onto I-87 (NY State Thruway)
- Take Exit 16 for NY 17 West toward US 6/Harriman and follow 1 mile
- Take exit toward Central Valley and follow signs for US-6 East / West Pt/NY 17 S/Harriman/Bear Mountain
- Turn Right onto NY 32 N (Near Woodbury Common Outlets) and follow 7.2 miles
- Left onto Pleasant Hill Road and Quick Right onto Taylor Road, follow 1/3 of a mile
Restrooms
I don’t recall seeing bathroom facilities, but there is a gas station near Woodbury Commons on Route 32.
Comments
Post a Comment