Appalachian Trail - Old Albany Post Road to Denning Hill

Appalachian National Scenic Trail Area,
Putnam Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Denning Hill Spur Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.5 Miles

Pros: Another very remote trail with few people
Cons: None

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

Continuing along the my goal of completing the Appalachian Trail segments in my region, I picked up where I left off the previous week at Denning Hill. We parked on Chapman Road right past Old Albany Post Road, where the Appalachian Trail crosses through this intersection. We took the Appalachian Trail south from here, crossing a small boardwalk and then climbing up the side of the ridge. The trail goes along the side of the ridge for a while, before turning and climbing to the top where there is a nice view facing east.

We continued past the view along the Appalachian Trail to the Denning Hill Spur Trail, which we took to the top of the ridge. As mentioned in my previous post, this view is mostly overgrown and not quite impressive. At this point we turned around, and headed back along the same route back to our car.

Map of the Route

Short Boardwalk at the Beginning of the Hike

At the Main View at Denning Hill

At the View Facing Northeast

View Facing South with a Large Pine Tree

Me at the Denning Hill View

Yehudah at the Denning Hill View

View from Denning Hill Facing Northwest,
Towards the Hudson River and Bull Hill/Storm King

Evergreen Mountain Laurel Forest on the Appalachian Trail

View of the First View Again on Denning Hill

Denning Hill View, Facing East

Old Albany Post Road Sign at the Trail Intersection

Appalachian Trail to Denning Hill View

Appalachian National Scenic Trail Area,
Putnam Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Denning Hill Spur Trail: Blue blaze
Little Fort Hill Spur Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.8 Miles

Pros: Very remote trail with few people
Cons: Lacks good views, too many houses nearby

I had been on this trail back in December, but due to poor weather conditions I didn't get all the way to my destination to the top of Denning Hill. Now with the warmer weather and better conditions, I intended to complete the hike to Denning Hill on the Appalachian Trail. I am currently aiming to complete all sections of the Appalachian Trail within driving distance from my home, and this quiet stretch in Putnam County was on my crosshairs.

Instead of parking on Cross Road, which I did on my previous visit to the area, I parked on Old West Point Road E., in a small pullout on this narrow dirt road about 150 south of the trail intersection with the road. I took the Appalachian Trail north, past Little Fort Hill, and then passed an area with many downed trees that looked like it was hit with a tornado recently. I continued north, climbing up until the Little Fort Hill Spur Trail, which I took up to the top of the ridge, overlooking the Hudson River and West Point. The view was a bit disappointing, with too much tree cover. I then turned around and went back the same route, but I took a detour bushwacking for a short distance up Little Fort Hill from the north to the top, and then taking the Little Fort Hill Spur Trail down back to the Appalachian Trail and then back down to my car.

Map of the Route

View to the Southwest Approaching Little Fort Hill 

Zoomed In from the Approach from Little Fort Hill

Many Downed Trees in an Area Presumably Hit by a Recent Tornado

More Downed Trees Along the Trail

Appalachian Trail and Denning Hill Spur Trail Intersection

View from Denning Hill, Facing North

Bull Hill in the Distance from Denning Hill

Rock Wall Surrounding Little Fort Hill

Little Fort Hill

Appalachian Trail at Canopus Hill

Appalachian National Scenic Trail Area,
Putnam Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.2 Miles

Pros: Very quiet area
Cons: View isn't great

I had intended to hike on the Cedar Ridge Trail in Watergrass Sanctuary. I arrived at the area where parking sign is listed on the map on Route 9, but didn't say any trailhead in the area. I did see the Watergrass Sanctuary sign, pictured below, but there was no trailhead to be found. I then figured I would catch the trail from the other side at the end of Philips Brook Road. I parked on Old Albany Post Road at Philips Brook Road and looked for the other side of the Cedar Ridge Trail, but couldn't find that either! I wonder if they decommissioned this trail!

After not being able to find the trail for the above hike, I decided to head nearby to another trail area, and I ended up at the Appalachian Trail at Canopus Hill. I parked at Chapman Road right off Old Albany Post Road, and took the Appalachian Trail north up the mountain to the top of Canopus Hill. There is a view on the top but it's not great. I continued along the trail down the mountain, past the brook in the valley below, and then up to Canopus Hill Road. I then turned around and went back along the same route.

Map of the Route

Watergrass Sanctuary Sign on Route 9 but no Trail Present

Appalachian Trail Marker and Ruins near Homestead Huts on S. Highland Rd.

Historical Marker at Homestead Huts on S. Highland Rd.

Crossing the Brook on the Appalachian Trail

View Atop Canopus Hill on the AT

Another View Atop Canopus Hill on the AT

Another View atop Canopus Hill

Me atop Canopus Hill

View Looking West from Canopus Hill

Large Glacial Rock on Canopus Hill

Rock Fireplace along the Appalachian Trail

Harriman Fire Tower Warm Winter Weather

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.2 Miles

Pros: Nice view on top
Cons: None

I was short on time on this beautiful, warm winter day. The temperature reached into the low 60's later in the day, and was in the in the 50's in the morning. I had to pick a short hike nearby in an hour or less, and this was the perfect hike.

I parked in the parking area on Gate Hill Road, near the entrance of Harriman State Park. I took the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail south, climbing the mountain steadily through the old ORAK ruins. I continued past Jackie Jones Tower, and then climbed the newly refurbished Fire Tower, which was recently fixed and entry allowed to the top.

At the top of the tower, an excellent 360 degree was afforded on a day with a bright blue sky and good visibility. I took some photos, headed back down the tower, and then returned along the same route back to my car on the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail.

Map of the Route

Blocked Road to Jackie Jones Tower at the Beginning of the Hike

Abandoned Gatehouse at the ORAK ruin

Approaching the Fire Tower

View Southwest from the Top of the Fire Tower

View South from the Top of the Fire Tower

View East from the Top of the Fire Tower
Towards Haverstraw and the Hudson River

View of Lake Welch Facing West from the Fire Tower

View North from the Fire Tower Towards Bear Mountain

View Northeast from the Fire Tower

Silvermine Lake and Ski Loop

Harriman State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ski Tral: Unblazed
Menomine Trail: Yellow blaze
Silvermine Road: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:35 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.2 Miles

Pros: Quiet area of the park
Cons: Lacks good views

I had just returned from Tucson, Arizona, and was back in the northeast for a cold winter hike. I parked at the Silvermine Lake parking area, and took the northern ski slope trail up the hill. This was a former ski slope that is now abandoned and used by hikers, as well as people sledding in the winter. Although it was very cold, there as no snow. In fact, there had been little snow all season.

At the top I took the unmarked trail south going down from the summit, to another unmarked trail which I took to the Menomine Trail. I was on the Menomine Trail briefly before cutting across a bushwack along the southern part of Silvermine Lake. I bushedwacked until Silvermine Road, and then took this path north to the dam of Silvermine Lake. I crossed the river past the dam, and then went along the path on the north side of the lake and then headed back to my car.

Map of the Route

Inlet of Silvermine Lake

Approaching the Old Ski Slopes, with no Snow

Ascending the Left Ski Slope

View from the Top of the Ski Slop, Looking Down

View of Popolopen and Bear Mountain from the Top

Ice Covered Stream Near Silvermine Lake

Small Inlet at Silvermine Lake

Stream Entering Silvermine Lake

Ice Covered Silvermine Lake

Another View of Silvermine Lake

Small Waterfall Beyond the Silvermine Lake Dam