The holidays typically lead to a great deal of indoor business and frivolity with very little in the way of outdoor recreation. With time of the essence, but a breath of fresh air essential, Scenic Hudson’s Gateway to Mount Beacon Park is the perfect solution for a quick hike. Enough to get the blood flowing without trashing your wrapping and cooking schedule. Plus, what better way is there to work off that Butterball or the pound of fudge you finished off in one sitting!
Difficulty: Moderate some steep inclines
Appx Distance/time: 2 Miles/1.5 Hours
Trail Markers: R
Hike type: Out and back
Low/High Points: 350’/1150’
NYNJ Trail Map #: 102
Of Note: Several scenic outlooks, cabin and incline motor house ruins. Optionally shorter routes.
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After parking at the base of Mount Beacon, proceed through the wooden gates and up the wide stone path to the steel stairs that mark the beginning of the hiking trail. Scenic Hudson installed these stairs, which runs right beside the tracks of the former Beacon Incline Railway, to make it easy for walkers to get a view of the City, River, and portions of the Hudson River Valley with very little effort. These stairs also mark the entrance to 234 acres of property purchased and preserved by Scenic Hudson for public use. At the top of these 300 steps you’ll enjoy your first glimpse of the Valley below and your first possible turnaround point.
After taking in the view you’ll turn and begin your hike on the main red-blazed trail that will lead you 7/10 of a mile to the top of Mount Beacon. It’s wise as you walk this trail this time of year, especially as you near the top, to pay attention to the ground. Since the mountain is west-facing, snow at higher elevations will melt and then refreeze making for potentially slippery footholds.
With most of the leaves off the trees you’ll be able to see the river and City pretty easily as you hike, but don’t let that deter you from walking down to the overlook which is about 2/10 of a mile from the beginning of the dirt trail. While this view is more of a surprise when there are leaves on the trees, it’s placement, within touching distance of the old incline tracks, is stunning, giving you perfect views of Denning’s Point and the south side of Beacon. Here, again, you can turn around and walk back to the trailhead of you feel the tug of time.
The last half-mile of this hike is the steepest and most difficult moving in a wide and winding switchback until it meets with portions of the former ski trails. It’s here that the trail gets rockier and where it’s likely that there will be more ice if there’s been rain or snow. It’s not treacherous here, but the rocks on the trail are large and can make it more difficult to get a steady foothold.
As you near the top of the trail, within site of the Incline’s motor house you’ll see a smaller trail branch off to the right. While it’s not blazed where it breaks off of the wider trail, it is part of the red blazed trail that you’ve been hiking all along. It also leads to another vista point where you’ll have expansive views of the valley and the river below. This is also a nicely protected spot where you can stop, have a cup of tea if you’ve brought a thermos and enjoy the quiet.
Just a few hundred feet beyond this point is the Incline motor house and the ruins of casino that used to be at the top of the mountain. Also, off to the left of the trail, are the remnants of cabins that used to dot the top of the mountain. While it’s interesting to explore the area around these buildings, weather and time have almost worn them back into the ground and they’re quite dangerous. Be wise and be careful or you may wind up riding a helicopter on your trip back down the mountain.
The walk back is the same as the way up, only quicker. But avoid the temptation to run back down the mountain, taking your time to enjoy the views as you head home to your busy holiday life.
One thing I know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found
Posted by: Air Jordans | October 31, 2010 at 10:30 PM