Hike of the Week
6/24/2004
6/24/2004
|
6/24/2004 |
|
| About Us | Calendar | Conservation | Contact Us | Education | Join NYNJTC |
| Links | News | Publications | Trails | Viewpoint | Volunteer |
Location: Dutchess County, Stormville area
Length: 4.6 miles, 3-4 hours round-trip
Rating: A woods walk along a high ridge, with two short, steep climbs
Dogs: Allowed on a leash
Map: Map 1, Appalachian Trail Map Set
Features: One very nice viewpoint southwest across the Hudson Valley to the Shawangunks and the Catskill Mountains. Appalachian Trail lean-to.
Watch out for:
Background:
This is the third in a multi-part Hike of the Week series on the Appalachian Trail. The AT crosses through 32 miles of Dutchess County. It is around this time of year that "through-hikers" make their way past our section of the AT. "Through-hikers" are those hearty hikers attempting to traverse the entire length of the AT.
Hike Description:
There are between 250 and 300 shelters along the AT, most of them wooden "Adirondack style'' lean-tos, open on one side. The objective of this hike is one of these, the Morgan Stewart Memorial Shelter, constructed in the 1970s by a local club, Ralph's Peak Hikers. The trail follows the top of the nearly level ridge, with gentle ups and downs, through open woods and mountain laurel. In about 1.5 miles, cross a brook and make a short, steep ascent. In two miles, after another short, steep and rocky ascent, reach a very good viewpoint to the west. A short distance beyond is the wooded crest of Mount Egbert (1,329 feet) and three-tenths of a mile later is a short side trail to the right which leads 50 feet to the Morgan Stewart Memorial trail shelter. A short distance downhill past the shelter is a pump, where water can be obtained.How to get there:
Take Interstate 84 to Ludingtonville Road exit. Turn right on Ludingtonville Road and then right on Route 52. Follow to Mountain Top Road, to Grape Hollow Road. Park on the shoulder of Grape Hollow Road, a short ways downhill from the intersection of Mountain Top Road. Walk to the trail and turn left into the woods, following the white, 2-by-6 AT blazes.
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 JRalph Ferrusi of Stormville, an avid hiker, member of the NYNJTC and 4,000-mile AT hiker.
V3 Last updated: June 24, 2004 Copyright © 1996-2004 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.