Hudson Highlands State Park is located across the Hudson River and to the north of West Point. It is in a more populated area than most of the other locations discussed on this site. It is also a very busy hiking destination. Here, you are destined to meet many friendly people of all ages and some of their canine companions. Maps are available from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference website. To the north, Hudson Highlands State park merges into Fishkill Ridge Conservation area and Mount Beacon Park. There is a southern section which is completely separate, north of Peekskill just east of the Bear Mountain Bridge. The Appalachian Trail, which runs from Clarence Fahnestock State Park runs through the southern section and then across the Bear Mountain Bridge.
Two train tracks follow both sides of the Hudson River. The east side seems to be a commuter line.
Climbing the beginning of the rocky Breakneck Trail.
Hikers tend to congregate near the flag, which is a good resting spot with views to the west.
A freight train in motion on the west bank of the Hudson. You can see a road cut into the rocky cliff above the train.
The Breakneck Trail sends you to one rocky ascent after another.
Looking southwest towards the Hudson River from another peak. You may see military helicopters flying by at times.
There are a few lakes located on the east side of the park. Clarence Fahnestock State Park is off to the right in the distance.
Looking southwest from another peak on the ridge.
Looking southeast from a platform built near the Breakneck Trail.
This was the next peak on the trail. Many hikers were headed there, and some were on the way back. This one looked too high and too steep to tackle near the end of the day. It looks tougher than it really is though.
A view to the north from a peak on the Wilkinson Memorial Trail. You can see the I-84 bridge crossing the Hudson River with Beacon, New York to the right.
Melzingah Reservoir is located between the Notch Trail and a woods road that you can take from the Breakneck Trail back to Route 9D.
This is Mine Brook on the Appalachian Trail near the parking area on South Mountain Pass Road in the souther section of Hudson Highlands State Park The sediment seems to be high in iron oxide.
A view of the bear Mountain Bridge from Anthony's Nose, a very popular attraction in the area. You can usually see hikers on the cliff from the bridge. It looks a lot steeper from the ground. The Bear Mountain Bridge is a very attractive bridge in my opinion.
A view south down the Hudson River from another spot south of Anthony's Nose. I like the combination of colors in this particular scene.