Breakneck Ridge Beacon NY 111217
Nov 13, 2017 11:43:42 GMT -5
Post by hoosier on Nov 13, 2017 11:43:42 GMT -5
Breakneck Ridge (Hudson Highlands SP) Beacon NY
Sunday November 12, 2017
For the longest time I had wanted to hike Breakneck Ridge located between the towns of Beacon NY to the north, and Cold Springs NY to the south. Breakneck Ridge is on the east shore of the Hudson River along Route 9D, directly opposite of Storm King Mountain, and rises precipitously 1235 feet above the adjacent Hudson River, which is at sea level.
Was recently reading of plans to close (January 1, 2018) the parking areas along route 9D, and also to close the Breakneck Ridge Trail from route 9D due to overuse, serious erosion of the trail and parking problems that occur due to the popularity of this mountain. I figured Sunday was a good day as ever to get in this hike before access is cut off.
Parked in the large parking area approximately .3 miles north of the road tunnel under the end of Breakneck Ridge and the start of the Breakneck Ridge Trail.
I did an approximate 9.5 mile loop out to the Beacon Mountain Fire Tower using the following trails:
Breakneck Ridge Trail, Wilkinson Memorial Trail, Casino Trail, and Breakneck Ridge Trails to the Beacon Mountain Fire Tower. And then the Breakneck Ridge Trail and Wilkinson Memorial Trail back out to just north of the parking area where I started. Then a short walk along route 9Dback to my car.
GPS shows the hike a 9.48 miles with a total elevation gain of 3,465 feet
Lots of great views up and down the Hudson River, both from the mountain peaks and the Beacon Fire Tower, which one can climb up.
One of the tougher hikes I’ve done in a while, due to all the elevation gains.
A few picture for the days hike.
Dire warnings about the trail ahead
Breakneck Ridge trail climbs steeply
Hudson River views north from the first major viewpoint
Storm King Mountain across the Hudson
Looking south down the Hudson River
Looking back down a particularly steep section of trail higher up the Breakneck Ridge Trail
Uppermost viewpoint before trail enters the woods. trail follows the ridge in the foreground
Beacon Mountain Fire Tower
Northerly view from Fire Tower of Beacon and Newburg NY
Views west towards Storm King Mountain and route I took from base of fire tower
Views north up Hudson River from Sugarloaf Mountain
Sunday November 12, 2017
For the longest time I had wanted to hike Breakneck Ridge located between the towns of Beacon NY to the north, and Cold Springs NY to the south. Breakneck Ridge is on the east shore of the Hudson River along Route 9D, directly opposite of Storm King Mountain, and rises precipitously 1235 feet above the adjacent Hudson River, which is at sea level.
Was recently reading of plans to close (January 1, 2018) the parking areas along route 9D, and also to close the Breakneck Ridge Trail from route 9D due to overuse, serious erosion of the trail and parking problems that occur due to the popularity of this mountain. I figured Sunday was a good day as ever to get in this hike before access is cut off.
Parked in the large parking area approximately .3 miles north of the road tunnel under the end of Breakneck Ridge and the start of the Breakneck Ridge Trail.
I did an approximate 9.5 mile loop out to the Beacon Mountain Fire Tower using the following trails:
Breakneck Ridge Trail, Wilkinson Memorial Trail, Casino Trail, and Breakneck Ridge Trails to the Beacon Mountain Fire Tower. And then the Breakneck Ridge Trail and Wilkinson Memorial Trail back out to just north of the parking area where I started. Then a short walk along route 9Dback to my car.
GPS shows the hike a 9.48 miles with a total elevation gain of 3,465 feet
Lots of great views up and down the Hudson River, both from the mountain peaks and the Beacon Fire Tower, which one can climb up.
One of the tougher hikes I’ve done in a while, due to all the elevation gains.
A few picture for the days hike.
Dire warnings about the trail ahead
Breakneck Ridge trail climbs steeply
Hudson River views north from the first major viewpoint
Storm King Mountain across the Hudson
Looking south down the Hudson River
Looking back down a particularly steep section of trail higher up the Breakneck Ridge Trail
Uppermost viewpoint before trail enters the woods. trail follows the ridge in the foreground
Beacon Mountain Fire Tower
Northerly view from Fire Tower of Beacon and Newburg NY
Views west towards Storm King Mountain and route I took from base of fire tower
Views north up Hudson River from Sugarloaf Mountain