From the northern end of the parking area, proceed north on the white-blazed Washburn Trail. In 100 feet, you’ll reach a junction with the blue-blazed Cornish Trail, which continues straight ahead. The Cornish Trail will be your return route, but for now, bear right and continue to follow the Washburn Trail uphill along an old road, once used to access a quarry.
In about half a mile, you’ll reach the site of the quarry, opened in 1931 by the Hudson River Stone Corporation and abandoned in 1967. The quarry site is now overgrown with trees, although the scars in the rock are plainly visible on the left. Here, the trail leaves the road, veers sharply right, and follows the rim of the quarry. You’ll notice some rusted pipes and cables along the trail, remnants of former quarrying operations.
The trail soon bears right, leaving the quarry rim, and begins a steep ascent of Bull Hill, with views to the right over the Hudson River. The best viewpoint is from a rock outcrop at the point of a switchback (after a short level stretch), about 30 feet to the right of the trail. Crows Nest Mountain is visible across the river, with Cold Spring directly below and Constitution Island to its south. You’ll want to stop here to rest from the steep climb and enjoy the spectacular view.
Past the viewpoint, the trail continues to ascend more gradually. After climbing another 400 vertical feet, it comes out on open rocks, with views over the Hudson River to the west and south. Crows Nest Mountain is directly across the river, and the United States Military Academy at West Point is prominent in the distance to the south. After a short level section, the trail resumes a rather steep climb.
About 1.4 miles from the start, the Washburn Trail crosses the yellow-blazed Undercliff Trail. Continue along the Washburn Trail, which dips slightly and then resumes a steady climb. In another 15 minutes, you’ll reach a rock outcrop just to the left of the trail that offers a broad view over the Hudson River. Just north of the sharp bend in the river -- of great strategic importance during the Revolutionary War –- is Constitution Island, and beyond the bend is the United States Military Academy at West Point. On a clear day, you can see the Bear Mountain Bridge down the river in the distance. You’re not quite yet at the summit, but this is another good place to take a break.
Continue ahead, now climbing more gradually, and soon you’ll reach the viewless summit of Bull Hill (also known as Mt. Taurus). Here, the trail begins to follow an old carriage road that descends the northeast slope of the mountain. Soon, you’ll reach a T-intersection, where the trail turns sharply left (the path to the right leads to a south-facing viewpoint). Just beyond the intersection, the trail reaches a panoramic viewpoint from a rock outcrop on the left, with the Hudson River visible below to the left. The imposing ridge extending northeast from the river is Breakneck Ridge, with the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge visible through a low point in the ridge. To the right, you can see the fire tower on South Beacon Mountain, the highest point in the East Hudson Highlands. In the distance to the left, the Shawangunk Mountains -– and beyond them, the Catskills -– may be seen on a clear day.
The Washburn Trail continues to descend, with more views to the left. It follows the carriage road, which switchbacks down the mountain, until it ends at an intersection with the green-blazed Nelsonville Trail. Turn left and continue to follow the white-blazed Washburn Trail, which descends steadily on a rocky, eroded footpath. After crossing a stream, it levels off and soon crosses a deeply eroded section of a woods road. Here, it turns sharply left, briefly parallels the road, then joins it. The trail continues along the road, which soon resumes a gradual descent, for about three-quarters of a mile, paralleling streams, first on the right, then on the left.
After passing a stone foundation on the left, the Washburn Trail reaches Breakneck Brook. Here, you should turn left onto the blue-blazed Cornish Trail. (You may wish to take a short detour to visit the concrete-and-stone ruins of the Cornish dairy farm, visible on the right through the trees. If so, turn right and follow the blue-blazed Notch Trail for a short distance to the ruins, then retrace your steps and return to the junction.)
Continue south on the blue-blazed Cornish Trail, which follows a footpath along Breakneck Brook. In another quarter of a mile, you’ll reach an intersection with the yellow-blazed Undercliff Trail, which joins briefly. Just ahead, the Undercliff Trail leaves to the right, crossing a bridge over the brook, but you should continue ahead along the blue-blazed Cornish Trail, which follows an eroded carriage road along the brook.
After passing a small abandoned concrete building and an old concrete dam on the right, you’ll come to a fork, where the red-blazed Brook Trail begins on the right. Bear left here and continue along the blue-blazed Cornish Trail, which follows an old road through the former estate of Edward G. Cornish, who served as Chairman of the Board of the National Lead Company.
The road passes a large cement-and-stone cistern on the right, then curves around two switchbacks and continues with a concrete pavement. Soon, the stone ruins of the Cornish mansion are visible below to the right (a red/blue-blazed road leads down to the ruins). The paved road descends steadily towards Route 9D, where it ends at a gate. Just before the gate, the Cornish Trail turns left, crosses a wet area on rocks and stumps, and continues along a footpath parallel to Route 9D for about a quarter of a mile to end just before the parking area where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 05/20/2005 updated/verified on 05/01/2023
This loop hike steeply climbs Bull Hill, with many spectacular views over the Hudson River.
From the northern end of the parking area, proceed north on the white-blazed Washburn Trail. In 100 feet, you’ll reach a junction with the blue-blazed Cornish Trail, which continues straight ahead. The Cornish Trail will be your return route, but for now, bear right and continue to follow the Washburn Trail uphill along an old road, once used to access a quarry.
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Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway to its northern terminus at the Bear Mountain Bridge. Cross the bridge and proceed north on N.Y. Route 9D for about 8.5 miles to its intersection with N.Y. Route 301 (Main Street) in the Village of Cold Spring. Continue ahead on Route 9D for another 0.7 mile past the intersection with Route 301 to a parking area on the right side of the road, opposite the entrance to Little Stony Point.
Take the Metro-North Hudson Line to the Cold Spring station, and walk north on Fair Street and Route 9D to the trailhead.
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September 22, 2023
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