Breakneck Bypass and New Nimham Trail

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.

Map of the Route

Trailhead on Route 9D

New Steps on the Wilkinson Trail

Explanative Plaque of the Routes at Breakneck

Sugarloaf Summit Closed Sign

Scramble up Breakneck Bypass

View Looking Towards Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf, the Hudson River, and Newburgh

The Same View Above, Further North

Breakneck and Breakneck Bypass Intersection

View to the Southeast from near the Breakneck Summit

Ascending to the Breakneck Summit

View from Breakneck Summit, Facing South

View of Storm King from the Breakneck Summit

Hudson River Gorge from the Breakneck Summit

View of Bull Hill from the Breakneck Summit

Breakneck Summit

Scramble Descending Breakneck

Hudson River and West Point in the Distance

Me at the Breakneck View

Pitch Pine on Breakneck

Storm King Across the River

Train at Storm King Across the Hudson

Zoomed into Storm King with a Train

Storm King and Cornwall

Hudson River and Pollopel Island

Flag at Breakneck Ridge Facing Storm King

View from Breakneck Facing South

Cliff Face at Breakneck

Looking South with Cold Spring and West Point in View

Nimham Trail Plaque at its Terminus

Pollopel Island from the Nimham Trail View

New Steps on the Nimham Trail

View of Newburgh Bay on the Hudson River from the Nimham Trail

Sugarloaf Hill and Osborne Loop

Hudson Highland State Park,
Putnam Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Blue Trail: Red blaze
Sugarloaf Trail: Red blaze
Osborn Loop Trail: Blue blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 3:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 7.6 Miles

Pros: Good view
Cons: Quiet remote area with little traffic
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

It had been a while since I did a long hike. Now with my big trip and the summer behind, I took the opportunity to do this longer loop on some new trails for me. I had been to Sugarloaf Hill before, as well as parts of the Osborn Loop, but the last time I was at Sugarloaf Hill was in 2011, and I have been intent on covering more trails in Hudson Highlands State Park in the eastern Hudson Highlands.

I parked at the trailhead at Wing and Wing Road, where the Blue and Sugarloaf Trails start. The Blue Trail probably has a name, but its not listed on the map. Its a short trail going through the grassy meadow, and then ending at the Sugarloaf Trail. I took the Blue Trail to the Sugarloaf Trail, which climbs up to the top of Sugarloaf hill as a dead end at the top. Sugarloaf is a prominent mountain jutting out from above the Hudson, and the top forms a narrow ridgeline. At the dead end of the trail there is a view facing south to the Bear Mountain Bridge, and a large cactus grove.

I turned around at the end of the Sugarload Trail, and then took the western portion of the OSborn Loop southward, all the way down to its terminus at the Appalachian Trail. I then took the Appalachian Trail northbound, back to the Osborn Loop, which I took south and then west, back to the Sugarloaf Hill Trail. I then took the Sugarloaf Hill Trail down the mountain, through the grassy field, and back to my car.

Map of the Route.
East Hudson Highlands.

Blue Trail through the Meadow

Barns Along the Trail in the Meadow

Leaving the Meadow and Going into the Woods
and the Foot of the Mountain

View of West Point

View of West Point, Zoomed Out

Narrow Ridgeline at Sugarloaf Hill

View at Sugarloaf Hill, Facing South Zoomed Out

View South from Sugarloaf, Facing Hudson River and Bear Mnt. Bridge

View from Sugarloaf Hill, Facing East

Cactus Grove at Sugarloaf

Lots of Trail Markers at Osborn Loop Intersection with Sugarloaf

Horses at the Above Intersection

Appalachian Trail

View Along the Appalachian Trail

Early Foliage along the Appalachian Trail

Sugarloaf Hill from the Meadow along the Sugarloaf Trail

Castle in the Distance Across the Meadow near the End of the Hike