Hike of the Week 9/30/2004

Camp Smith Trail

Location:  Hudson Highlands, Westchester County, north of Peekskill

Length:  6.2 miles, 3.5 to 6 hours round-trip

Rating:  Fairly strenuous

Dogs:  Allowed on a leash

Map:  East Hudson Trails #101, published by NYNJTC.

Features: Numerous viewpoints, expansive views both north and south of the Hudson River and the lower Hudson Valley and of the Bear Mountain Bridge and the Bear Mountain/Harriman State Park area.

Watch out for:

Background:

Hike Description:

This is a rugged, but very rewarding, walk through the highlands on the east side of the Hudson River, offering nearly continuous spectacular views. Start at the restored toll house on Routes 6/202. You will see the light blue 2-by-3-inch trail blazes heading up the hill to your left. Start climbing. To quote a trail brochure, this trail "rises and falls relentlessly.'' And, if you like rocky trails, you'll love this one. The first half-mile or so is a real ankle-twister, but the trail soon becomes more "normal:'' a good, graded path interspersed with rocky stretches here and there. In spite of the rocks and the ups and downs, this trail is worth it for the spectacle and grandeur it presents. After clambering up, over and down the other side of that first rocky knob, you'll walk through fairly level open woods and will soon ascend a long series of stone steps constructed by volunteer trail workers, and shortly afterwards will reach the first of many fine viewpoints, this one to the south toward Peekskill Bay and Haverstraw. A few more levels up the ridge, you'll reach an open summit where you will see your ultimate destination, Anthony's Nose, rising in the distance to the north, beyond several lesser peaks and ridges. A steep, rocky descent, some fairly level walking, then a moderate climb followed by a long descent will take you to a trail parking area on Routes 6/202, 1.9 miles from the toll house. The trail is less rugged from here on, until you reach the final, long grunt up the south slope of Anthony's Nose. Once on the very top of the Nose, descend to an old woods road and follow your nose to the left for a grand view of the Bear Mountain Bridge, the Hudson River and beyond.

How to get there: 

From Poughkeepsie, take Route 9 south to Route 9D. Go through Wappingers Falls and Beacon, and then through Cold Spring in Putnam County. Continue toward the Bear Mountain Bridge, and bear left just before the bridge to Routes 6/202. Proceed about a mile north of the Annesville traffic circle. Park at the restored toll house and walk over to the gravel path to the port-a-john behind the toll house building.

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 by Ralph Ferrusi of Stormville.

V3 Last updated: October 5, 2004   Copyright © 1996-2004  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.