Hike of the Week 4/29/2004

Nuclear Lake/Appalachian Trail

Location:  Eastern Dutchess County, near Pawling

Length:  4-5 miles, 2.5-4 hours round-trip

Rating:  Easy

Dogs:  Allowed

Map:  Map 1, Appalachian Trail Map Set

Features: Several stream crossings; beautiful, remote lake

Watch out for: Deer ticks, poison ivy

Background:

Nuclear Lake is the site of a former plutonium processing plant that has long since been completely decontaminated and declared completely safe. One contingent claims the lake should be renamed New Clear Lake and that the old name is just a spelling error.

Hike Description:

Nuclear Lake is a beautiful, remote lake with a terrible, misleading name. The walk along the AT to the lake is easy, with gentle ups and downs through open woods, hemlock, mountain laurel and across several streams. Follow the AT along the western shore of the lake to its north end, and turn right onto the yellow-blazed trail that swings around the eastern shore of the lake. Follow the yellow blazes to the south end of the lake. After passing a dam and crossing a dirt road, turn left onto the white-blazed AT to return to Route 55.

How to get there: 

Route 55, 1.4 miles east of the Route 216 intersection, Poughquag. Trail parking is on the north side of Route 55, about 100-200 yards west of the AT crossing. Follow the light-blue 2-by-6-inch blazed trail from the back of the parking lot. Turn left on the white-blazed AT.

About the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference : The NY-NJ Trail Conference is a federation of hiking clubs, environmental organizations and individual members who volunteer their time and resources to build and maintain hiking trails and protect related open space in the bi-state region.

Information : For a more detailed description of this hike including a map, visit www.nynjtc.org and click on Hike of the Week. For information on NYNJTC activities, call 201-512-9348 or email info@nynjtc.org.

Hike of the Week is a regular feature in the Poughkeepsie Journal Players section, call 845-437-4848. This hike is contributed by Ralph Ferrusi of Stormville, an avid hiker and member of the NYNJTC.

V3 Last updated: May 14, 2004   Copyright © 1996-2004  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.