Hike of the Week 1/6/2005

Schunemunk Mountain, 1,664 feet, Orange County's highest point

Location:  Near Woodbury, Orange County

Length:  8.6 miles roundtrip.

Rating:  Pretty strenuous at times. Some of the trail is very rocky, and there are some steep climbs.

Dogs:  The steep parts are not very dog-friendly. There are places you would have to lift dogs up and over.

Map:  NYNJTC New York Walk Book, Map #8.

Features: A very unique area. There are many viewpoints. Expansive views of the Hudson Valley, the river, and the highlands to the north-northeast. Long views to the south and sweeping views to the east toward New Jersey and to the northwest to the Catskills. A good workout. Another New York State county high point.

Watch out for: Some really rocky, ankle-twisting trail. A good hiking stick or trekking poles are very helpful on this walk.

Background:

Schunemunk (pronounced skun-uh-munk) Mountain is very striking, geologically unique ridge west of Black Rock Forest in the northern Hudson Highlands in Orange County. It has more than 25 miles of trails. This ridge was originally protected from development by the Mountainville Conservancy, and in 1996 the Open Space Institute purchased 2,100 acres of land. In 2001, Gov. George Pataki announced that this property would be acquired by New York State and would become a state park.

Hike Description:

Follow the light-blue 2-by-3-inch Long Path blazes up and under the trestle and along the tracks. Be alert: This is an active commuter line. Follow for about a half mile then turn left into the woods. Reach the top of Little Knob at 1.4 miles. Climb steeply to the top of 1,383-foot High Knob at 2.1 miles. Looking south toward Highland Mills, you will be jolted by a shocking sight -- an environmentalist's nightmare -- a vast area of former woodlands now covered with an astonishing number of brand new, huge gray houses. To the north are more soothing sights: The Hudson Valley, the river and the highlands. Descend gradually down the back of the Knob, up and over a couple of ridges and turn right on the yellow-blazed Jessup Trail at 3.3 miles. Follow this trail, with expansive views along the way, to the summit at 4.3 miles, identified by "Site of Fire Tower" and "1,664" painted on the rock.

How to get there: 

From Poughkeepsie, cross the Mid-Hudson Bridge and go south on Route 9W. Go through Newburgh to the Quaker Avenue exit. Left at the end of the exit, then left on Route 32. A Norfolk Southern railway trestle crosses high above Route 32 about a half-mile after Route 32 goes under the New York State Thruway. There is parking for a few cars on a dirt road to the right just before the trestle.

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

V3 Last updated: January 9, 2005   Copyright © 1996-2004  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.