Hudson Highlands State Park,
Dutchess / Putnam Counties,
New York
Hiking Trails:
Wilkinson Trail: Yellow blaze
Breakneck Bypass Trail: Red blaze
Breakneck Ridge Trail: White blaze
Nimham Trail: Green blaze
Total Time: 3:25 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.25 Miles
Pros: Good climb and great views
Cons: Breakneck Trail very busy
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Very Difficult
Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/8LPRGQmAvtu7azep9
I was at Breakneck Ridge earlier in summer, and noticed signs for a new trail in the area. The new trail starts at the flag area at the first stopping point at and first major view at Breakneck Ridge. I checked on this based on the new signs and saw this was a short loop from the view back down to the parking. Wanting to do a longer hike, I decided I'll do a longer hike and take this trail down on my return route.
I parked on Route 9D past the tunnel, at the Wilkinson Trailhead. I took this trail past the new Nimham Trail, and then took the Breakneck Bypass Trail at the split. This is a steep and continuous climb up Breakneck Ridge on the northern front, though it is not quite as steep and dramatic as the main Breakneck Ridge Trail. Near the top there is a great view facing Sugarloaf, where I took a short break, and then continued to the Breakneck Ridge intersection.
I took the Breakneck Ridge south, heading down many of the steep scrambles, and at the area with the flag at the Nimham Trail, I took this new trail, northward bound and down the mountain. This new trail is well-groomed and features nice stone stairs on its descent. At the Wilkinson Trail, I took the trail down and then back to my car.
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| Map of the Route |
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| Trailhead on Route 9D |
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| New Steps on the Wilkinson Trail |
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| Explanative Plaque of the Routes at Breakneck |
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| Sugarloaf Summit Closed Sign |
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| Scramble up Breakneck Bypass |
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| View Looking Towards Sugarloaf |
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| Sugarloaf, the Hudson River, and Newburgh |
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| The Same View Above, Further North |
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| Breakneck and Breakneck Bypass Intersection |
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| View to the Southeast from near the Breakneck Summit |
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| Ascending to the Breakneck Summit |
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| View from Breakneck Summit, Facing South |
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| View of Storm King from the Breakneck Summit |
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| Hudson River Gorge from the Breakneck Summit |
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| View of Bull Hill from the Breakneck Summit |
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| Breakneck Summit |
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| Scramble Descending Breakneck |
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| Hudson River and West Point in the Distance |
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| Me at the Breakneck View |
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| Pitch Pine on Breakneck |
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| Storm King Across the River |
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| Train at Storm King Across the Hudson |
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| Zoomed into Storm King with a Train |
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| Storm King and Cornwall |
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| Hudson River and Pollopel Island |
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| Flag at Breakneck Ridge Facing Storm King |
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| View from Breakneck Facing South |
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| Cliff Face at Breakneck |
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| Looking South with Cold Spring and West Point in View |
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| Nimham Trail Plaque at its Terminus |
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| Pollopel Island from the Nimham Trail View |
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| New Steps on the Nimham Trail |
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| View of Newburgh Bay on the Hudson River from the Nimham Trail |
