Schunnemunk State Park
Schunnemunk State Park
5
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14 reviews
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George
3 contributions
Jan 2023
We were staying locally in Salisbury Mills, and took a hike in the Park that we enjoyed very much. We hiked the Otterkill trail, which is an out-and-back path that took us about 80 minutes round trip. The park has a number of trails, but we only had time for something short. The parking area for the trail head is well marked. The trailhead itself is not so well marked. Actually, there wasn't a sign at all. We wandered a bit looking for one, but we eventually decided that a path that looked like it could be trail was worth checking. It was the trail, and we started to see some markers. Otterkill trail only has about 450ft of elevation, and it's mostly right at the beginning. Within the first ten minutes of the hike, there is a lovely vista. If you wanted something very quick, you could just do the first ten minutes of the trail. If you want a serious or demanding hike, we'd recommend trying something other than Otterkill, but if you're in the mood from something easy, give it a shot.
Written 2 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gulfstreambizflyer
New Windsor, NY9 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
1st - its pronounce "Skunny-munk" .
There are 3 parking spots that I know of, each on a separate side of the mountain. The one under the train trestle is where George Cloony's car got blown up in the movie "Michael Clayton". Do not climb or cross the trestle, the cops are a little more sensitive to it than when I was a kid.
If you are driving from NYC, get off on the Harriman exit and take route 32 north. This will lessen the traffic in my town. There are great views from the top on a clear day. Also, there is the wreckage of a small airplane, whose pilot thought he could clear the mountaintop. People died there, so show some respect, do not touch/damage anything.
Its the woods, so there are wild animals - everything from chipmunks to the occasional bear. Don't feed them or chase them around.
Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes. and have on Tick Repellent. if you park at Taylor road, you will have to cross through a grassy field, at the right time of year, the grass can be chest high (depending on how tall you are, and if you are wearing heels)
walking up the trail from the railroad track (which crosses the aforementioned trestle), there is a running stream with the occasional pool. Before jumping in, clear the water of any snakes with a branch, rock, and a little noise. The water is absolutely clean, unless someone else is doing the same upstream.
There are 3 parking spots that I know of, each on a separate side of the mountain. The one under the train trestle is where George Cloony's car got blown up in the movie "Michael Clayton". Do not climb or cross the trestle, the cops are a little more sensitive to it than when I was a kid.
If you are driving from NYC, get off on the Harriman exit and take route 32 north. This will lessen the traffic in my town. There are great views from the top on a clear day. Also, there is the wreckage of a small airplane, whose pilot thought he could clear the mountaintop. People died there, so show some respect, do not touch/damage anything.
Its the woods, so there are wild animals - everything from chipmunks to the occasional bear. Don't feed them or chase them around.
Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes. and have on Tick Repellent. if you park at Taylor road, you will have to cross through a grassy field, at the right time of year, the grass can be chest high (depending on how tall you are, and if you are wearing heels)
walking up the trail from the railroad track (which crosses the aforementioned trestle), there is a running stream with the occasional pool. Before jumping in, clear the water of any snakes with a branch, rock, and a little noise. The water is absolutely clean, unless someone else is doing the same upstream.
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathleen757
Orange City, FL224 contributions
Sept 2018 • Family
We enjoyed this park and it was stroller friendly! The beautiful views in Hudson Valley made us think we were in Western North Carolina! Hope to visit again!!👍
Written 24 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nick s
Cornwall, NY66 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
I am a little biased since I live near this mountain and hike it one a week. I am also a little reluctant to give it too much praise lest everyone and there mother decides to visit. However, this mountain is has so much too offer. Hike on the western ridge and you will have great views of the Shawangunks and Catskills in the distance. Cross from the western ridge to the eastern ridge and there's fantastic views of the Hudson River. and Storm King mt. While crossing from one ridge to the other, you actually pass a swamp. This mountain is also the tallest mountain in Orange County. There are many trails and I would recommend downloading a PDF map on to GPS to help guide your hikes. There are also plenty of snakes on the summit but none have been aggressive. The terrain in the summit is mostly conglomerate with charming little pine trees along the path There is a lot a flexibility with this mountain. You can make it a 3 mile hike or 6, or 10m and each is enjoyable. Please enjoy responsibly.
Written 6 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kwalabatu
Circleville, NY89 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
The Schunnemunk Ridge is a huge mass of rock sticking up out of the eastern Moodna Creek valley. Several trails cross the length and breadth of the ridge. The Jessup trail runs along the ridge north to south. The high point is some 1600' with views across the Wallkill Valley west to the Shawangunkill Ridge, and east toward Storm King and the Hudson. In addition to the views, the terrain makes for interesting hiking. The ridge is very resistant cap rock of conglomerate- fist sized boulders cemented into gigantic boulders and shields. One point of interest is the Megaliths- house sized boulders which have collapsed off the ridge, creating caves and chutes. Great to explore. But that also makes great rattlesnake habitat, so be careful.
Access from the north is just west of the Moodna Viaduct is in Salisbury Mills,NY. Otter Kill Rd off Jackson Ave south from NYS Route 94. Look for kiosk and parking beneath the viaduct- itself a point of interest- carries the MetroNorth commuter train two hundred feet above the creek on a 19th century steel viaduct.
Access from the north is just west of the Moodna Viaduct is in Salisbury Mills,NY. Otter Kill Rd off Jackson Ave south from NYS Route 94. Look for kiosk and parking beneath the viaduct- itself a point of interest- carries the MetroNorth commuter train two hundred feet above the creek on a 19th century steel viaduct.
Written 15 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael G
Washingtonville, NY7 contributions
Sept 2021
A great hike with wonderful views. Bring good shoes and water. This can be a strenuous hike. We had a nice day and worth being tiered for.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tosl
Jersey City, NJ1,003 contributions
Oct 2019
I have climbed this peak a few times before and I always forget that you have to earn this one. Hiked from otterkill by the viaduct up the Western ridge and then crossed to the eastern ridge. If pressed for time the eastern ridge has better views but it is a great climb regardless. Also found some fresh bear scat but, alas, did not see a bear.
Written 14 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_winmvgb
Asheville, NC4 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
Nice diversity in a hike. Flat areas to steep rock areas. Amazing view awaits you when climb to the top. Bring some food and picnic on the cliffs on top surrounded by beauty.
Written 14 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
e26
New York City, NY652 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
My friends and I (females, in our 30s) did this hike yesterday as part of our training for Patagonia. Wished I read some of the reviews below so I would’ve been more prepared! We did the same hike as most others—starting from the parking lot at Taylor Road and up the white trail to yellow to yellow teal to the black trail (dark hollow). We went in the drizzling rain which wasn’t terrible (it rained lightly for an hour or two and stopped) but it did make the rocks at the top slippery and I fell twice (even w walking sticks).
It was tough and took us 6 hours. We did backtrack a few times because we weren’t familiar with the trail. We aimed to get to the megaliths but totally missed it somehow! We were very close but did NOT know about or saw the sign painted on the rock floor where the megalith direction is. We were cold and hungry so we stopped for a quick snack before retreating back down. We made it to a large rock clearing but didn’t know where to go from there. It gets a little bit chillier at the top given it’s the highest summit in the county. It was around 50 degrees when we were there.
The dark hollow (black dot on white trail marker) is easy to miss. We did not see it on the way to the megalith but it was more noticeable in the way back (it was marked in a tree on the way back). So going to the megalith you have to backtrack about 15 min to connect to the black trail. There was map in the parking lot that you can take.
Descending the black trail was better than going back the way we came (which was steep and more rocky). The black trail also depends quicker and had some steep areas and a few creek crossings but basically seemed shorter than going back the way we came up.
Overall this trail was good. You do transverse different terrain throughout the 6.5 roundtrip (meadow, tall grass, woods, boulders). A lot of the trail was rocky rather than dirt/paved and narrow. There are no facilities at the trailhead. It’s probably one of the most difficult hikes I’ve done in terms of ascension (I am not a seasoned hiker) but definitely doable if you’re in decent physical shape. The views at the top were nice and you can hear people shooting from the gun range. Wear bright colors!! Hunting season is oct-may but I think you’re only near the hunting/shooting area closer to the parking lot.
We didn’t see any animals or snakes but the weather was drizzly and overcast. By the end of our hike though the sun was out.
Also you do need to cross the train tracks twice during the hike. Just be careful of that as there are no warning signs of when it’s coming etc.
It was tough and took us 6 hours. We did backtrack a few times because we weren’t familiar with the trail. We aimed to get to the megaliths but totally missed it somehow! We were very close but did NOT know about or saw the sign painted on the rock floor where the megalith direction is. We were cold and hungry so we stopped for a quick snack before retreating back down. We made it to a large rock clearing but didn’t know where to go from there. It gets a little bit chillier at the top given it’s the highest summit in the county. It was around 50 degrees when we were there.
The dark hollow (black dot on white trail marker) is easy to miss. We did not see it on the way to the megalith but it was more noticeable in the way back (it was marked in a tree on the way back). So going to the megalith you have to backtrack about 15 min to connect to the black trail. There was map in the parking lot that you can take.
Descending the black trail was better than going back the way we came (which was steep and more rocky). The black trail also depends quicker and had some steep areas and a few creek crossings but basically seemed shorter than going back the way we came up.
Overall this trail was good. You do transverse different terrain throughout the 6.5 roundtrip (meadow, tall grass, woods, boulders). A lot of the trail was rocky rather than dirt/paved and narrow. There are no facilities at the trailhead. It’s probably one of the most difficult hikes I’ve done in terms of ascension (I am not a seasoned hiker) but definitely doable if you’re in decent physical shape. The views at the top were nice and you can hear people shooting from the gun range. Wear bright colors!! Hunting season is oct-may but I think you’re only near the hunting/shooting area closer to the parking lot.
We didn’t see any animals or snakes but the weather was drizzly and overcast. By the end of our hike though the sun was out.
Also you do need to cross the train tracks twice during the hike. Just be careful of that as there are no warning signs of when it’s coming etc.
Written 14 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James W
Somers, NY1,120 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We discovered this on the HiketheHudsonValley web site, and it looked interesting, so we decided to give it a go on a fine May morning (and afternoon). Hiking up from the east, you get to see sweeping vistas of the Hudson Valley: really nice views. Later, we hiked along the ridge and over to the "megaliths", giant rocks on the side of the mountain, from which you get some really panoramic views (and it's a good spot for lunch too). The whole round trip is nominally 4 hours (about 6.5 miles or so), but you'll probably want to leave more time for taking pictures, stopping for snacks/rests, etc. So it might be better to budget 5-6 hours. You should be well prepared for some climbing: Strava gave me a total ascent of close to 1600 ft for this route. Also, I wouldn't want to do this hike under wet/slippery conditions. But on a nice day, this is a super way to see the Hudson Valley!
Written 9 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My son just moved to Tarrytown from Colorado to work for Blue Hill at Stone Barns. I am coming to visit. We would like to take a hike what trails do you recommend and can you recommend a good food spot after we finish the hike
Written 26 May 2018
Congratulations on your son's new job! The hike up Schunnemunk is very nice, about 7 mile round trip with maybe 1600ft of total ascent. Probably not very hard compared to the hikes you might be used to in CO, but you'll still want to make sure to bring enough food and water. You can find a detailed description of the hike on the "hikethehudsonvalley" site (just google it). The Storm King hike, also in the area is nice too, a little less strenuous, but with some great views of the Hudson river. There are many other nice hikes in the Hudson Valley, as you'll see if you check out web site above (bear Mountain also has some nice hikes, and is maybe a little closer). As for dining options, I'm less familiar with the choices over in that area. Cornwall is rather nice though, you could probably find something over there (there seem to be some good options on TripAdvisor). Have fun!
Written 27 May 2018
Hello! I wonder what are the guided walks we can do in this part of the Park? Where to find guide or group to certify the types of walks, times of departure and arrival, equipment for the walk? What is the closest town or town of the Park?
Written 24 February 2018
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