New York City, NY: South Beacon Mountain
Solitude. Fresh air. Big views. It all unfolds on this vigorous 5-miler along a lively mountain stream to the highest point in Hudson Highlands State Park.
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INFO: Hudson Highlands, (845) 225-7207; nysparks.com/parks/9/details.aspx
-Mapped by Ed Wheeler
Trail Facts
- Distance: 8.1
Waypoints
SBM001
Location: 41.469615, -73.975496
Hike southeast from the trailhead.
SBM002
Location: 41.469212, -73.974876
L @ T onto blue-blazed Notch Trail, heading E
SBM003
Location: 41.47113, -73.972389
Stay L @ Y; traverse ridgeline
SBM004
Location: 41.473869, -73.967857
Go R @ unmarked trail
SBM005
Location: 41.473728, -73.965874
R onto unnamed black-blazed trail on N shore of Melzingah Reservoir
SBM006
Location: 41.472809, -73.964569
L onto fire road, stay above Squirrel Hollow Brook
SBM007
Location: 41.472622, -73.96112
L to unnamed red-blazed trail; cross brook into isolated woods–home to hawks, deer, foxes, and the eastern timber rattlesnake, a NY endangered species
SBM008
Location: 41.473763, -73.959424
L onto forest road then R, heading NNE above brook
SBM009
Location: 41.475194, -73.958437
R onto fire road; continue ascent
SBM010
Location: 41.476062, -73.955004
R onto Blue Trail for .1 mi., then L onto yellow-blazed Wilkinson Memorial Trail
SBM011
Location: 41.475708, -73.949447
L @ T
SBM012
Location: 41.476126, -73.947794
L on white-blazed Breakneck Ridge Trail; gear down for 600-foot ascent; over-the-shoulder views of Hudson River
SBM013
Location: 41.481499, -73.944641
South Beacon Mtn.; summit draped in scrub oak, mountain laurel. NYC skyline in distance; retrace steps to car
South Beacon North
Location: 41.481512, -73.944554
The meandering Hudson River. ©Ed Wheeler
South Beacon West
Location: 41.481488, -73.944538
Long views over the Hudson. ©Ed Wheeler
South Beacon South
Location: 41.481454, -73.944549
The view south unveils the rolling Hudson highlands. ©Ed Wheeler
