Hike of the Week 11/17/2005

Take a nice walk through history in Hyde Park

Location:  Town of Hyde Park

Length:  7.4 miles round trip

Rating:  Easy

Dogs: 

Map:  A basic map can be obtained at the FDR National Park Service visitors center or from the Hyde Park Recreation Department

Features: An outstanding walk between the Roosevelt and Vanderbilt estates on easy-to-walk old carriage roads paralleling the Hudson River. Option to follow the trail to the east to Val-Kill historic site through Scenic Hudson land.

Watch out for: watchfor

Background:

The Hyde Park Trail is a cooperative effort of the Town of Hyde Park, the National Park Service, Scenic Hudson Land Trust and several private land owners. The 10.4-mile trail system links the Roosevelt, Val-Kill and Vanderbilt national historic sites and Mills-Norrie State Park. The Roosevelt/Vanderbilt trail and the Mills-Norrie River Trail are designated segments of the Hudson River Greenway Trail.

Hike Description:

You just have to love the first mile of this well-marked trail, as the carriage road flows perfectly through the contours of the land, past tall spruce, pines, mature hardwoods, streams, ponds, bogs and dramatic rock outcroppings. Hiking just doesn't get much better than this. Don't pass up the side trail to Crum Elbow Point on the Hudson, at 1.4 miles. The river seems very narrow here, with views of the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge to the south, and some Catskill peaks beyond the west shore ridge. A little beyond pass the Rogers Point Marina and then reach — oh no! — a newly blacktopped road. The trail follows the road for a mile and this does disrupt the magic of the old carriage roads. Ah, progress. You'll be glad to finally turn left on Dock Street, then right through the south entrance to Vanderbilt, then left back into the woods and on the Vanderbilt carriage road. Continue to Bard Rock, a perfect "peanut butter sandwich" stop, before heading back south.

How to get there: 

Route 9 north into Hyde Park. Turn left into the Roosevelt park grounds and park in the National Park Service visitors center lot. Do take some time to explore this wonderful, informative facility. Head south toward the blacktop walk that goes behind the FDR Library. In about 75 feet, turn right toward the woods and the river at the two, big and tall Norway spruce trees. Follow the round white with green tulip leafs Hyde Park trail markers.

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: November 21, 2005   Copyright © 1996-2004  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.