Schunemunk and Moodna Hike!!!
Details
Join us for a very interesting point to point hike in NY state between Schunemunk Mountain and Salisbury Mills area. The hike will involve old railroad rights of way, small pocket parks, a tour of Brotherhood Winery, oldest Winery in the US, and then Schunemunk Mountain!
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The route will be very diverse and quite difficult at times, but rewarding. We'll meet at 9 am at the parking area for Schunemunk Mountain State Forest on Taylor Road, just outside of Cornwall. We'll shuttle as few cars as possible to the beginning point and we'll walk a back road into Lasser Park.
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We'll make our way through the park to the south to a short road walk section. We'll then make our way to another small park called Vern Allen Park. We'll follow a tributary through the park heading to the west.
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From here, the route will take us through mowed little areas of municipal land as well as on backroads heading into the town of Washingtonville. We'll have to walk through a section of apartment paths before reaching the winery.
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When we reach the historic Brotherhood Winery, we will pay individually for the tour and tasting. Those who do not wish to do either may wait outside or wander off to get a snack or something somewhere. The tour and tasting together is $10 per person.
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After spending some time here, we'll head south through town to May's Field where there is a pathway across the Moodna Creek and a pedestrian path. It is from here that we will try to follow as closely as possible an abandoned branch of the Erie Railroad.
I do not know what sort of condition this rail line will be in. Tracing it's route may involve having to parallel it on nearby roads, or we might have to bushwhack on through to get by. There is also the possibility that it could be completely clear and heavily used by ATVs. We won't know until we get there.
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We'll continue on to the active tracks at the Moodna Viaduct. This historic trestle is still very heavily active over a very wide valley.
Where we are crossing, hikers should be prepared to wade across the creek. It is not legal to cross the rail trestle, and so this will be the only way over at this point.
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We will pick up the Schunemunk Trail system on the other side and follow it up to the top on a steep climb.
My plan is to follow some of the trails I have not yet hiked from this point doing an almost-loop through the park lands. We'll visit several vistas on our way through, the descend on one of the trails a bit further to the south.
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There are fantastic views out towards the Hudson River, Storm King, and Breakneck Ridge from the top. The Catskills can be seen on a clear day in the other direction.
The top of the ridge is made of a sort of puddingstone conglomerate that was once on the ocean's floor, and almost looks like jewels in a set stone.
We'll check out more views and then make our way down into the valley where we'll be parked.
If anyone has any further questions contact me at (908) 343 8374