Name: Friday: Mt Beacon, Lambs Hill and Fishkill Ridge
Start: 2025-11-28T10:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-28T15:30:00-05:00

Anastasia Tavarez and Hank Zupnick invite you to join us for a post-Thanksgiving hike in the scenic Hudson Highlands. Register at [https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001zI13/act00017556](https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001zI13/act00017556)

*Overview*:
Friday, November 28, 10 am
6 miles, 1922 feet elevation. Although this loop is only 6 miles, because of the sometimes challenging terrain we might not be finished before 3:30.
Mount Beacon Scenic Hudson Parking Lot, 788 Walcott Rd, Beacon, NY 41.493411, -73.960546
Parking lot is on the eastern (northbound) side of Route 9D

*Details*: Welcome to one of the Hudson Valley's more challenging hikes, which starts with an invigorating 45 minute climb up the Casino Trail to the hilltop terminal of the former Mt Beacon Cog Railway. While the railway's original destination, the Beaconcrest Hotel & Casino, is also long gone, we'll stop for a few minutes to recharge and take in the panorama, said to offer as much as 75 miles' visibility on a clear day.

We'll then continue on the more level Wilkinson trail, possibly bypassing the short but very steep side trail to the fire tower (unless there is a groundswell of support for inclusion, in which case there may also be an option to skip it). We'll stay on the Wilkinson to the Dozer trail, and from there continue on the Fishkill Ridge trail. Lunch will likely be at the turnoff from the Dozer onto the Fishkill Ridge trail.

The Fishkill Ridge trail passes through Lambs Hill, which includes some tricky descents that we'll take slowly; if needed, Hank will stay with cautious descenders while Anastasia goes ahead with faster participants. Working our way downhill, we'll cross over the Dry Brook before turning left onto the Dry Brook trail, which will take us back to the lower part of the Casino trail and a brief downhill to the end of our hike.

Poles are very strongly advised for this hike; this is a route that makes believers out of pole skeptics. Sturdy footwear is a must. Plus the usual -- hat, sunblock, water and lunch/snacks.

*Friends and family*: Many of us have friends and family visiting for the weekend. Instead of a forgettable Friday on the sofa watching college football, why not a memorable trek in the Hudson Highlands? Your guests are welcome provided they have sturdy footwear, and ideally hiking poles (or at least a good walking stick).

*Dogs*: While dogs are permitted on the park trails, they are not advised due to the terrain. Please private message me if you are considering bringing a dog.

*Public Transportation:* A MetroNorth Hudson Line train leaves Grand Central at 7:57 am and Harlem-125th St at 8:07 am, arriving Beacon 9:29 am. Beacon station is 1.75 miles from the trailhead, too far to walk for our 10 am start. Uber/Lyft are last-mile possibilities, as are local taxi companies (Andy's, Clearport, maybe others). Please let me know if you plan to arrive by train.

*AMC Health Advisory*: Covid and other respiratory illnesses are circulating in our communities. To help us all stay safe, do not participate in this hike if you, or someone who you have recently been in contact with, is either infected or symptomatic.

RSVP for "Yes" only by 7 pm, Thursday, November 27 by clicking [https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001zI13/act00017556](https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001zI13/act00017556) A pre-hike update will be sent to all signed up participants at that time.

Anastasia Tavarez

Hank

Appalachian Mountain Club New York-North Jersey

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Friday: Mt Beacon, Lambs Hill and Fishkill Ridge

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Friday: Mt Beacon, Lambs Hill and Fishkill Ridge

Appalachian Mountain Club New York-North Jersey

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