Get DirectionsFrom the parking area, head north into a field, following a blue-blazed trail which curves to the right, with blazed posts marking the route. At the eastern edge of the field, the trail climbs into the woods, soon reaching a woods road. Follow the blue-blazed trail as it turns right onto the woods road, which ascends gradually and then levels off. Soon, you’ll reach a viewpoint to the...
Hike Description:
From the parking area, head north into a field, following a blue-blazed trail which curves to the right, with blazed posts marking the route. At the eastern edge of the field, the trail climbs into the woods, soon reaching a woods road. Follow the blue-blazed trail as it turns right onto the woods road, which ascends gradually and then levels off. Soon, you’ll reach a viewpoint to the northwest over Storm King Mountain, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and the East Hudson Highlands.
Just beyond, the blue-blazed trail ends at a junction with the red-blazed Sugarloaf Trail, which comes in from the right. A rustic gazebo is on the left. Continue ahead on the woods road, now following the red blazes of the Sugarloaf Trail. Just ahead, you’ll reach a second northwest-facing viewpoint, with even better views.
After crossing a stream on rocks, the trail turns sharply left and ascends on another woods road. It parallels a ravine on the left, with many fallen trees, then turns right and levels off. The trail now proceeds through an area that was devastated by severe localized storms on May 15, 2018. It curves to the right and climbs gradually, soon reaching a panoramic northwest-facing viewpoint (which was created as a result of the damage inflicted by the May 2018 storm). The trail switches back to the left, passes a pond on the left, and reaches a trail junction in the broad saddle between Castle Rock and Sugarloaf Hill.
Turn right here, and continue to follow the red blazes, which now mark a footpath that steeply climbs to the summit of Sugarloaf Hill. Just beyond the crest of the rise, you’ll pass another viewpoint across the river that was created by the May 2018 storm. After crossing the summit ridge, the trail descends a little and ends at a rock outcrop, with a magnificent view to the south over the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge.
After enjoying the view, retrace your steps and return to the trail junction in the saddle. Now proceed straight ahead on the blue-blazed Osborn Loop Trail. Named after a prominent family in the area who donated the land traversed by the trail, the Osborn Loop Trail follows carriage roads of the former estate. The trail climbs gently and, after passing a small pond on the right and a gazebo on the left, reaches a junction with the yellow-blazed Carriage Connector Trail. Continue ahead on the blue-blazed trail, which soon resumes its climb, passing through thick stands of mountain laurel. After leveling off, the Osborn Loop Trail ends a junction with the white-blazed Appalachian Trail (A.T.).
Proceed straight ahead on the carriage road, now following the white blazes of the A.T. on a relatively level route. In about a mile, the yellow-blazed Curry Pond Trail leaves to the right. Continue ahead on the white-blazed A.T., which soon begins to descend. After bearing sharply right at a junction with another woods road, the A.T. reaches the southern end of the Osborn Loop Trail. The A.T. turns left here, but you should continue ahead, now once again following the blue blazes of the Osborn Loop Trail.
In about half a mile, you’ll notice a large cairn on the left which marks a yellow-blazed trail that leads to Manitoga. Continue ahead on the blue-blazed trail, which soon crosses a stream and reaches (on the right) the western end of the yellow-blazed Curry Pond Trail. Just beyond, on the left, an unmarked woods road heads downhill to Manitoga, but you should continue ahead on the Osborn Loop Trail. A short distance ahead, follow the trail as it turns right, leaving the carriage road, and descends to cross a stream on large rocks. It continues along the side of Canada Hill and, after crossing a few more streams, bears left and begins to ascend. Soon, the climb moderates as the trail parallels an old stone wall on the left. At the top of the climb, the trail bears right, with views to the left through the trees over the Hudson River.
Follow the blue-blazed trail as it descends from the crest of the ridge, first gently, then more steeply, paralleling a stream. At the base of the descent, the Osborn Loop Trail turns right onto a woods road. It briefly climbs, then continues to descend more gradually through mountain laurel and hemlocks. After passing through an area devastated by the May 2018 storms, the trail crosses a stream and climbs gently to reach a junction with the red-blazed Sugarloaf Trail, which is ahead and to the left.
Continue straight ahead at the junction and descend on the red-blazed Sugarloaf Trail. You’re now retracing the route you followed at the start of the hike. When you reach the gazebo at the edge of the field, turn left, descend across the field on the red-blazed trail, and follow woods roads back to the parking area where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 04/18/2002 updated/verified on 12/11/2018
This loop hike follows carriage roads of a former estate and climbs to an outstanding viewpoint over the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge.
41.370278, -73.945
Putnam Co., NY
8 mi
5 hrs
Buy Map: *New* East Hudson Trails Map
Avenza App Map: East Hudson 101
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. 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.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? 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! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
From the east end of the Bear Mountain Bridge, proceed north on N.Y. Route 9D for about 4 miles. Look carefully on the right side of the road for a wooden sign "Castle Rock Unique Area." The intersection is also marked by a street sign "Wing and Wing Road." (If you reach the junction of N.Y. Route 403, you've gone too far.) Turn right at the Castle Rock Unique Area sign, passing between two stone pillars, and bear left at the fork in the road. Continue past a red barn on the right to a gravel parking area.
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Take the Metro-North Hudson Line to the Garrison station. A trail leads from the southern end of the parking lot to the trailhead of the hike (see Map 101).
BUS TRANSPORT :
Not available
Give $10 to support trails.
December 31, 1969
19:00 pm
Trip Reports
rate experience May 12, 2019
Great Hike! Perfect description
Did this hike today with three friends. It's a really great long hike with some beautiful ponds, streams, outlooks and dramatic fallen trees and remnants from the storm last year. It was a bit muddy at times, but you can make your way around it. The trail instructions here were spot-on and very helpful as there are many junctions and different trails intersecting. Also, as someone else posted about getting from Garrison train station to the trailhead; once you get up to Garrison Institute just keep going around the building and through their parking lot to 9D and you'll see the entrance across the street! Thanks so much for great trail instructions!!
April 01, 2019
Hike and mileage have been updated
<p>Thank you for your comment on my hike. You are indeed correct that the hike is significantly longer than 7 miles. Trail Conference Map 101, which now contains mileages on the face of the map, indicates that the hike is actually 8.2 miles long, and I have changed the hike mileage accordingly. I have also updated the hike description with information regarding the devastation caused by the severe storms in May 2018.</p>
March 31, 2019
More Like 8.5 Miles
This was a great hike with views that offered enough challenge to both a seasoned hiker and a fit novice. However, the total mileage that we ended up with was 8.5 miles, not 7. Not sure if we somehow misread the directions here, but we were a bit surprised by the additional time we were out on the trail. We wondered if the devastation evident from the tornadoes that cut through this part of Putnam County in May 2018 may have caused some re-routing, resulting in a longer hike? No matter. Few other hikers were seen on an unseasonably warm spring Saturday, so this is a nice break from the often over-crowded hikes nearby, e.g., Breakneck.