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This
is an easy hike of just over a mile each way with a slow but
steady climb to the summit. This trail begins on a private
driveway along West Shore Drive across from a trail to the beach. Follow the gravel drive upwards,
skirting two private homes (please keep your noise down and your
dogs leashed). You'll see a fork to the left which you'll take
and then bear right, that will bring you near and alongside a
small and very pretty pond. Stay on the road but when you see
it begin
to wind
back
towards a house jog through the woods to the left to pick up
another old road again. Follow this road until you reach
a "T" intersection at which point you will turn to the RIGHT
and follow the trail through a pretty forest, first descending
and then slowly climbing.  After
about 45 minutes, and a last short steep climb, you'll reach
the first of several ledges with views
south
and
westward over
Belle Hollow with the Graymoor
watertower in the distance and beyond that a glimpse
of the Hudson River about 15 miles away.
A little further up the trail you'll
come to an old gazebo (built in 1989) that has seen better days
but from
which views out over Lake Oscawana and back over the bulk of
Fhanestock State Park are quite nice. Stop for a picnic lunch
here and enjoy the scenery. Follow your steps for the return being careful
to make the appropriate turns. 
Visitors since May 11, 2007 |
