Monday: Bull Hill Full Loop + optional Undercliff Trail

Weather Advisory: As of this posting (Friday), the forecast for Monday is uncertain. Our current plan is to hike if it's just scattered showers, but persistent or heavy rain will cancel. A final decision will be made on Sunday evening, and all signed-up participants will be notified. To sign up, please go to the AMC website: https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001nB9p2AE/act00016510

Overview:
Monday, October 13, 9:30 or 9:45AM*
Bull Hill Full Loop: 5.5 miles, 1400 feet elevation (moderate plus)
Bull Hill Full Loop plus optional Undercliff Extension: 7 miles, 2000 feet elevation (vigorous)
Washburn Trail Parking Lot, Cold Spring, NY 41.42686, -73.96568 (GPS may show Philipstown, NY).
Parking lot is on the eastern (northbound) side of Route 9D, about 3/4 mile north of Route 301/Main Street in Cold Spring.
Public Transportation access via MetroNorth to Cold Spring, arriving 9:02 AM (details below)

Details: The hike starts with an invigorating early climb and the wonderful views that this route is renowned for.

About 90% of the 1400 feet elevation in the 5.5 mile Bull Hill Full Loop happens in the first hour, with a steady ascent up the Washburn Trail past a former quarry. It includes great views of Storm King, the Thayer Hotel at West Point, and, on especially clear days, the Manhattan skyline. After the Mt Taurus summit, the route levels out before beginning a gradual descent.

Lunch will likely be at the ruins of the Cornish Dairy, at the end of the Washburn Trail/start of the Cornish Trail. Shortly after lunch, the Undercliff Trail branches off from the Cornish Trail; at that junction, hikers will be able to either take the Undercliff Trail to the Washburn Trail and then descend on the Washburn Trail back to the starting point (about 600 feet elevation, 60-75 minutes total) or continue along the Cornish Trail, passing a few century-old ruins which include explanatory signposting en route back to the parking lot, a flat and easy 30 minutes. There is no need to decide until after lunch. Another option: Instead of the Undercliff Trail, stay on the Cornish Trail back to the parking lot, then cross Route 9D to Little Stony Point for an easy 25 minute clockwise loop along the Hudson.

Disclaimer: Although the Bull Hill Full Loop is only 5.5 miles, this is not a beginner hike, as the terrain is moderate-plus with 1400 feet of elevation. If you are seeking an easier outing on Monday, Gwen Hartstein's nearby 4 mile Garrison Loop is recommended: https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001moWb2AI/act00016485?tabset-d0cb3=2

Public Transportation: MetroNorth is running a regular weekday schedule for Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day. A Hudson line train (direction: Poughkeepsie) departs Grand Central at 7:19, Harlem-125th at 7:39 and Marble Hill at 7:50, and arrives at Cold Spring at 9:02 am. From Cold Spring station, there is a flat and easy walk of about 20 minutes to the Washburn Trail. Please let the hike leader know if you plan to arrive by train; *if one or more participants are arriving on MetroNorth, our hike will start at 9:45; if nobody is arriving by train, the starting time will be 9:30. Confirmation of exact starting time will be sent on Sunday evening.

RSVP by 6 pm Sunday please at https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN000001nB9p2AE/act00016510. Further details, including confirmation of starting time (9:30 vs 9:45) will be sent to all signed up participants at that time

AMC Health Advisory: Covid and other respiratory illnesses are circulating in our communities. Do not participate in this hike if you, or someone who you have recently been in contact with, is either infected or symptomatic.

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