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