Breakneck Ridge Short Loop

April 17, 2024 – Chilly Spring, NY

Problem: Reasonable-Strenuous

Size: Roughly 1.9 miles

Max elevation: 596 ft.– whole elevation acquire roughly 650 ft.

Route sort: Circuit

Purchase Map: East Hudson Trails Map #102

Free Net Map: Hudson Highlands Path Map North 2023

Trailhead parking: Breakneck Ridge Trailhead – Chilly Spring, NY 10516

Please Notice: Regardless of its brief size, that is typically thought-about to be one of many extra strenuous hikes within the East Hudson Highlands. It includes steep climbs over rock ledges that may be very slippery when moist. You’ll want to make use of each your palms and your ft in lots of locations alongside the best way. Correct footgear is crucial for this hike, which is finest completed on weekdays, to keep away from the weekend crowds. Don’t try this hike in moist climate, or if the path is roofed with snow or ice.

The Breakneck Ridge space has been impacted by the development of the Hudson Highlands Fjord Path. The subsequent set of Breakneck Ridge enhancements is ready to start within the Fall of 2024, with preparatory work already underway. Anticipate highway and path closures whereas development is ongoing.

Overview:

Breakneck Ridge is a mountain alongside the Hudson River between Beacon and Chilly Spring, straddling the boundary between Dutchess and Putnam counties.

Breakneck Ridge has a number of summits, or bumps as they’re generally referred to as. The very best level (true summit) is a long way inland, reaching roughly 1,260 ft above sea stage. The southern face of the height is outstanding for its placing cliffs, the results of quarrying in previous years.

Breakneck Ridge is taken into account among the best and hardest day hikes within the nation. The steep ascent up its western face includes climbing over rock ledges, utilizing each palms and ft.

This rock scramble attracts hikers from throughout, and is commonly referred to as “the preferred day hike in America.” Breakneck Ridge is about 90 minutes north of New York Metropolis, and rewards hikers with sweeping views of the Hudson River Valley.

Breakneck Ridge is situated throughout the confines of Hudson Highlands State Park Protect and is run by the New York State Workplace of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP).

Historical past:

Breakneck Ridge lies instantly throughout the river from Storm King and is well-known for its excessive cliffs, which have been fashioned because of heavy quarrying all through the nineteenth century. Breakneck was initially generally known as St. Anthony’s Face or Turk’s Face, as a result of presence of a face like rock formation on the southern cliffs, which was finally destroyed by quarrying in 1846. At this time Breakneck Ridge is an immensely in style mountain climbing vacation spot, situated inside Hudson Highlands State Park Protect.

In keeping with The Historical past of Putnam County, N.Y., which was printed by William J. Blake in 1849, Breakneck Ridge bought its identify after a gaggle of farmers chased a bull off of a cliff, the place the animal broke its neck. A bull had made the mountain simply south of Breakneck Ridge (Mt. Taurus aka Bull Hill) its house. At night time, it might descend to the low grounds in its neighborhood, and plunder corn fields, meadows, and grain fields. The neighbors fashioned an “alliance” in opposition to the bull, decided to pursue him to his strongholds, and impact his seize or destruction. They chased him from this Hill (Bull Hill) to the one instantly north of it (Breakneck), the place, being exhausting pressed by canines and armed males, was compelled off a cliff, thus breaking his neck. His pursuers instantly christened the hill from which they began “Bull Hill,” and the one the place they captured the wayward bull, “Breakneck.”

Since 2020, the Breakneck Ridge space has been impacted by the development of the Hudson Highlands Fjord Path. Work at Breakneck Ridge Trailhead and Higher Overlook was accomplished in July 2023. Months of labor included the relocation of the trailhead farther up Breakneck Ridge, restore of eroding path surfaces, improved stormwater administration alongside the path, set up of stone steps main as much as the Breakneck ascent, and development of a brand new Path Steward Station. This preliminary work at Higher Overlook marks the launch of Part 1: Breakneck Connector & Bridge of the Hudson Highlands Fjord Path.

The subsequent set of Breakneck Ridge enhancements is ready to start within the Fall of 2024, with preparatory work already underway. The Hudson Highlands Fjord Path Challenge is slated for completion in 2031.

Trails Overview:

The Breakneck Ridge Path has turn out to be the primary mountain climbing vacation spot within the NYC metropolitan space. In good climate, the path often brings greater than 3,000 hikers a weekend to hike its steep, rocky ascent and luxuriate in its breathtaking views.

The white-blazed Breakneck Ridge Path begins on the west facet of Route 9D, simply north of the tunnel. The path climbs steeply up the west face of Breakneck Ridge, usually requiring utilizing each palms and ft. This rock scramble is brief, however feels for much longer. This can be a a technique path (up solely) and shouldn’t be used as the best way down.

The green-blazed Nimham Path opened in 2021, making for a better bailout possibility for those who simply wish to hike to the flagpole. This path follows the pure “bench,” or shelf, alongside the ridge, connecting the flagpole space to the Wilkinson Memorial Path.

The yellow-blazed Wilkinson Memorial Path runs in a westerly path for about 350 yards from the junction with the Nimham Path out to Route 9D.

This hike additionally features a brief highway stroll (0.3 mile whole) alongside Route 9D, in the beginning and finish of the hike.

The paths are effectively marked and simple to comply with.

Hike Overview:

I’ve hiked Breakneck Ridge quite a few instances since 2015 utilizing totally different trails to descend  the ridge. This hike is an effective introductory to Breakneck. It permits hikers to benefit from the sweeping views of the Hudson River Valley with out having to decide to a for much longer and more durable hike.

I did this hike on a Wednesday morning and arrived on the trailhead at about 8am. Surprisingly, there was just one different car after I arrived on the trailhead. As soon as on the space of the flagpole, a number of folks began to cross by.

This hike begins and ends on Route 9D and is completed counterclockwise.

A majority of the elevation is gained throughout the first mile.

The Hike:

Since I got here from south of Chilly Spring, I parked dealing with south in order that I may exit extra simply after the hike and never need to make a U-Flip.

On the alternative facet of the guard rail, alongside the southbound lane, there’s a footpath that results in the trailhead. Comply with this path south in direction of the tunnel.

Should you don’t have already got a path map, verify the field for a printed map of the paths.

The signal states that this hike is simply a mile lengthy. It’s virtually twice that lengthy in case you do the hike as decribed by this author.

The white-blazed Breakneck Ridge Path begins on the west facet of Route 9D, simply north of the tunnel. The path climbs stone steps and heads south, virtually instantly reaching a viewpoint over the Hudson River from a rock outcrop to the correct of the path. Storm King Mountain is immediately throughout the river with far reaching views to the north and south.

On weekends, Memorial Day Weekend by Veterans Day, Breakneck Path Stewards can be found on the Breakneck trailhead with maps (extremely advisable), water (extremely advisable), path situation updates, and different suggestions that will help you get pleasure from your day.

Should you lookup in direction of the ridge, you could possibly see the flags, the vacation spot on this hike, flapping within the wind.

The climb of Breakneck begins on stone steps. Accomplished in 2023, native stones have been utilized from the location to create a country, however clear stone staircase that safely guides hikers by the boulder subject, to the bottom of the rock slab scramble simply forward.

At instances you will have to make use of each palms and ft, to scramble up the ridge. The path is effectively marked, with arrows painted on rocks directing the best way.

Comply with the white-blazed path because it steeply climbs the rocky ridge. Take note of the white blazes and arrows as you ascend to remain heading in the right direction.

There are views by the timber of the river as you climb and you might wish to take a short relaxation right here and there to admire them.

In just below a mile, the path reaches a rock ledge with a flagpole. This can be a good spot to relaxation from the powerful climb and benefit from the panoramic views over the Hudson River.

Trying north up the Hudson River, with Pollepel Island seen beneath. Throughout the river (from left to proper), is Cornwall-On-Hudson, New Windsor, and the Metropolis of Newburgh. The lengthy ridge that straddles New Windsor and Newburgh is Snake Hill, one other nice hike.

Pollepel Island is a 6.5-acre uninhabited island within the Hudson River. The principal characteristic on the island is Bannerman’s Citadel, an deserted army surplus warehouse.

Pollepel Island has been referred to as many various names, together with Pollopel Island, Pollopel’s Island, Bannerman’s Island, and Bannermans’ Island. Pollepel is a Dutch phrase that means “ladle.”

To the south, Little Stony Level will be seen jutting out on the east facet of the river, with Crow’s Nest, North Level and Storm King Mountain throughout the river.

Trying as much as the highest of the ridge from the junction with the Nimham Path, you’ll discover a steep, near-vertical rock outcrop that the Breakneck Ridge Path climbs to realize the crest of the ridge. However that part isn’t a part of this hike.

When you find yourself completed having fun with these majestic views, proceed forward a brief distance uphill to a junction with the green-blazed Nimham Path.

Flip left on the Nimham Path, which is marked by an indication.

Comply with the inexperienced blazes alongside the Nimham Path, which loses over 500 ft of elevation in a few 1/2 mile. There are 500 stone steps all through this path that assist hikers negotiate the steep sections far more simply. This path opened in 2021 and makes for an gratifying and scenic descent of Breakneck Ridge.

On the best way down, there’s a rock outcrop with extra Hudson River views. It’s possible you’ll wish to take a second right here to your final viewpoint from Breakneck Ridge.

In about 1/2 mile, the green-blazed Nimham Path ends at a junction with the yellow-blazed Wilkinson Memorial Path. Right here you wish to flip left and comply with the yellow blazes downhill for about 350 yards.

If you attain Route 9D, fastidiously return to your car, the place the hike started.

Overview:

That is a kind of should do hikes within the Hudson Valley. It’s higher completed early mornings on a weekday to keep away from the crowds. With that being stated, it’s price a go to to expertise the rock scramble and the improbable views. Should you don’t wish to do the rock scramble, you’ll be able to nonetheless get pleasure from the identical views by using the Nimham Path and doing an out-and-back hike.

Execs:

Rock scramble, panoramic Hudson Valley views, difficult hike, effectively marked trails.

Cons:

Breakneck will get overcrowded on weekends.

Take a hike!

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