Be courteous. "A very challenging hike with lots of uphill climbing over rocks, but the views make it all worth while." Find Hikes and ParksVolunteerMy DashboardNews CenterAbout UsShop, Copyright © 1996-2020 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, www.nynjtc.org | Privacy Policy | Photo CreditsAbout Us    Contact Us    Donate    Join. Bannerman’s Castle on Pollopel Island is visible to the north, and Storm King Mountain, directly across the river, may be seen through the trees. to the beach or central park for the day. Follow the white-blazed trail as it steeply climbs the exposed rocky ridge. Make a left turn at the Breakneck Bypass (red blazes) and follow the trail until you reach a sign for Wilkinson Memorial Trail. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! The start of the Breakneck Ridge trail is, at once, the most thrilling, the most scenic, and the most challenging part. Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. Continue ahead on the white-blazed Breakneck Ridge Trail, which now climbs steeply to reach another panoramic viewpoint. You'll need to use both your hands and your feet in many places along the way. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. The traverse of these ledges (which is missed if you take the alternative route) is a highlight of the hike. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Of course, hiking a steep trail during winter is more demanding than in Summer, so it is really for those prepared and capable. Continue ahead on Route 9D for another two miles past the intersection with N.Y. Route 301 in Cold Spring. The road by the trail is a high speed road and you can lose your life if you underestimate this fact. Keep fires small. A strenuous hike to and from the Village of Cold Spring: Bull Hill (Mount Taurus) PLEASE NOTE THAT BREAKNECK RIDGE GETS VERY CROWDED, ESPECIALLY ON … So so many hikers need to be rescued and locals are tired of having to wait for your dumb asses to get out of the way because you don't know what you are doing. Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life. Be safe, be smart. Know the rules and regulations of the area. In contrast, it … The hike is very dangerous and falling rocks are also inevitable. Breakneck Ridge 3258 Bear Mountain Beacon Hwy Cold Spring, NY Hiking Backpacking & Mountaineerings Service - MapQuest. Breakneck Ridge, Bull Hill, Little Stony Point, and all trailheads along Rt 9D in the Cold Spring/Philipstown area (link to Facebook post on these closures) Vanderbilt Mansion (it was actually already closed before the weekend) Mt. The trail continues to climb steeply, passing more viewpoints. Turn left and follow the Wilkinson Memorial Trail, which proceeds downhill along a woods road (now largely narrowed to a footpath) to its end at Route 9D. Near Cold Spring, New York. The trail now climbs a little more, then levels off, with some minor ups and downs. The descent down the red trail is murder on your knees and hooking up with the yellow trail was definitely a sight for sore legs. Proper footgear is essential for this hike, which is best done on weekdays, to avoid the crowds on weekends. Please note that camping and use of fire are prohibited throughout the park. Has the weather turned rainy? They all lead up the shoulder with several views south toward West Point and the Hudson River. "Good boots, good weather and plenty of water required - make sure to give yourself plenty of daylight." You'll need to use both your hands and your feet in many places along the way. Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? We went in October and the light was failing by the time we made it back to the main path at the bottom - be very careful of the daylight and make sure you have lights and keep track of where you are on the map - there are a lot of paths! Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites. The first two knobs you traverse offer south-facing views over Bull Hill, and as you continue, you’ll get a few glimpses of the river, below on the left. Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north. 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