Breakneck Ridge
Breakneck Ridge | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 1,260 ft (380 m) |
Prominence | 527 ft (161 m) |
Coordinates | 41°27′35″N 73°57′32″W / 41.45972°N 73.95889°W |
Geography | |
Location | North Highlands / Fishkill, New York, U.S. |
Parent range | Hudson Highlands |
Topo map | USGS West Point |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | Trail |
Breakneck Ridge is a mountain along the Hudson River between Beacon and Cold Spring, New York, straddling the boundary between Dutchess and Putnam counties. Its distinctive rocky cliffs are visible for a long distance when approached from the south, and together with Storm King Mountain on the opposite bank of the river forms Wey-Gat, or Wind Gate, the picturesque northern gateway to the Hudson Highlands.
It has several summits, the highest, some distance inland, reaching approximately 1,260 feet (384 m) above sea level. The southern face of the peak is known for its striking cliffs, the result of quarrying in past years. Lying within
Approach
While several routes exist, most hikers take the white-blazed route up the mountain's west face that begins on the West (Southbound) side of Route 9D near the tunnel. After circling around to cross above the tunnels, it begins a steep, rocky and challenging climb up to the first bump of the mountain, about 720 feet (219 m) above the river, where there are views of the river and Highlands. It continues in a similar fashion over the remaining bumps until it reaches the summit, but keeps on going and becomes a trail that travels over several other summits, and eventually peters out at Beacon Fire Tower from which hikers have the option to turn around and return back the same way.[1] However, there are other small trails that lead down from the white trail, as there are blue, red, and green trails that ascend from the various other summits that the white blazed trail crosses over. They serve as a shortcut to the base of the mountain as well as trails which lead to other parts of the greater Hudson Highlands State Park area.
The Ninham Trail, named after former
References
- ^ Gershfeld, Vitaliy (Jan 26, 2020). "Is The Breakneck Ridge Hike Dangerous? What You Need to Know". The Nature Seeker. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ Keefe, Dan (July 1, 2021). "New Connector Trail in Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve" (Press release). New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved November 27, 2021.