Hamilton Mine & Denny Mine Loop

Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Putnam Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
3 Lakes Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.7 Miles

Pros: Quiet area and historical mines
Cons: Lacking good views

Hiking Partner:
Joseph Friedman

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/L6MPAW2edDWKpzZv6 

Continuing along my hikes in Fahnestock State Park, this was a trip further up the Appalachian Trail in an area I had not previously hiked before. I am trying to complete all sections of the Appalachian Trail within a short driving distance from my home. 

The weather was brutally hot, with a heat advisory in effect for the area, with temperatures in the mid 90's and high humidity. This hike was mostly shady, and intentionally didn't have any large elevation gains, but despite that it was uncomfortably hot and we couldn't have gone that much longer.

We parked at the AT Trailhead parking on Dennytown Road, and took the Appalachian Trail north up the ridge, and then down to Sunken Mine Road, a seasonal dirt road. We went on Sunken Mine Road up the hill and veered off at the Hamilton Mine, at the bend of the road. We explored the area and then took the unmarked trail to the 3 Lakes Trail.

The trail then went alongside John Allen Pond, and then we crossed over Sunken Mine Road again and continued along the trail, going up the ridge and then bushwacking for a short distance to the Denny Mine. This is a very large mine complex, with a long and deep pit and an extensive dump. However, it is very overgrown and hard to access, and it is also hard to get a photo of. We then continued back to the 3 Lakes Trail to the end at the parking area and returned to the car.

Map of the Route

Information Kiosk at the Trailhead Parking

Ascending the Mountain on the Appalachian Trail

Me on the AT Trail

At the top of the Mountain on the AT Trail

Somewhat of a View at the Top of the Mountain on the AT Trail

Beaver Dam at the Pond

Hamilton Mine Main Workings

Another View of Hamilton Mine

Hamilton Mine from the Top of the Hill

Me at the Hamilton Mine

Fish Swimming in John Allen Pond

John Allen Pond from the 3 Lakes Trail, Looking West

John Allen Pond, Looking North

John Allen Pond, Looking South

Looking Down into the Denny Mine

Another View of the Denny Mine

Deep Pit in the Denny Mine

Mine Wall at the Denny Mine

Old Abandoned Overgrown Structure at the 3 Pond Trailhead