|
|
WARNING/DISCLAIMER: Hiking can be dangerous and the information furnished below may contain errors! |
West Pawling, New York Appalachian Trail Highlights
Distance: 7.2 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours - group
Difficulty: moderate (small rolling hills)
From the parking area head eastward head into the forest on a blue blazed access trail (the only one that is at the parking area). Take this trail for a short distance until you intersect the Appalachian Trail (AT, white blazes). Turn left onto the AT. After a short distance you will reach the beginning of the Beekman Uplands Trail (blue blazes). Veer onto the Beekman Uplands trail (leaving the AT). At the end of the Beekman trail when it again meets the Appalachian trail, veer left (eastward) onto the AT.
In about 1.5 miles take a very short side trail (on the left) to the rocky outcropping with a great view of the valley. Eat lunch here. After lunch reverse course on the AT and take it until you reach Nuclear Lake in about 2+ miles. Follow the AT around Nuclear Lake until you reach an open grassy area on the left (the second one with bettr access to the lake). Have your dessert here. After finishing dessert continue westward on the AT until you reach the Beekman trail intersection again. Continue on the AT a short way until you reach the blue blazed access trail and take this blue trail to get back to your car.
References: Appalachian Trail Guide - New York-New Jersey, map set #1&2
Driving Directions from NYC
West Side Highway/Henry Hudson Parkway North
into the Saw Mill River Parkway North to its end where it joins up with Route 684 North. Take Route 684 north to its end where it joins up with Route 22 North. Take Route 22 north towards Pawling.Just north of the Harlem Valley - Wingdale railroad station make a left onto Pleasant Ridge Road. This road may also be signed as Route 21. Drive straight (soon crossing over train tracks). There are a few sharp turns on Pleasant Ridge Road over the next 8 or so miles that are signed to be traveled at 10 or 15 mph, please do not ignore them! After about 5 miles make a left to stay on Pleasant Ridge Road. This section of Pleasant Ridge Road may also be signed as Route 32. In about 3.4 miles make a left onto Route 55.
After about 1.3 miles on Route 55 park at the small parking area on the left ( before intersecting the Appalachian Trail). There may be a store directly across the road from the parking area. The blue blazed trailhead will be visible from the parking area. (GPS: N 41.35392, W73.39545).
The total driving distance is about 80 mile and should take no longer 1:45 under normal traffic conditions.
Public Transportation
None for this hike exactly but a similar hike covering a lot of the same places does have public transportation.
Other Useful Information
We are meeting, promptly, at 8:00am in front of TBA. Drivers should double park their cars in front of the building (please gas up BEFORE coming). All passengers are expected to contribute their fair share towards gas, parking fees, and tolls! We will return to the city in mid to late afternoon. Rain cancels the trip. By the way, there are no public rest rooms at the trail head or on the trail.
Questions: Michael Brochstein
 |
 |
|
| The parking area (April 2008). | Store opposite parking area (April 208). | |
 |
 |
|
| Beginning of blue access trail from parking area (April 2008). | Sign in front of store opposite parking area (April 2008). | |
 |
 |
|
| A friendly reminder about Lyme Disease (April 2008). | The lunch/dessert spot by Nuclear Lake. (July 2003) | |
 |
 |
|
| The rocky outcropping in the upper left of the photo is the viewpoint atop West Mountain. (July 2003) | The West Mountain rock outcropping (recommended lunch spot). (July 2003) | |
 A part of the of the panoramic view from the rocky outcropping atop West Mountain. (July 2003) |
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
Last updated: 5/2008
