September 11, 2022 – Newburgh, NY
Issue: Average
Size: Roughly 3.5 miles
Max elevation: 705 ft.– complete elevation achieve roughly 670 ft.
Route sort: Circuit
Free map: Snake Hill Path Map 2022 – Scenic Hudson
Trailhead parking: Crystal Lake, Temple Ave. – Newburgh, NY
Parking is out there for about 6-8 vehicles – No restrooms on web site
Crystal Lake and Snake Hill are Carry-in/Carry-out areas
Overview:
Snake Hill is an area landmark that gives sweeping views of the Hudson River and surrounding panorama from its summit. The ridgeline of Snake Hill was privately-owned till just lately when possession was transferred to Scenic Hudson, who manages the property as an unimproved nature protect. The Hill straddles the Metropolis of Newburgh/City of New Windsor border and is flanked on its northwestern slope by Crystal Lake, an 8-acre pond that was as soon as the centerpiece of a public park, and the smaller Miller’s Pond. A small Jewish cemetery resides on the western slope of the Hill. Apart from Scenic Hudson’s parcel, the possession of those three assets is predominantly municipal.
Snake Hill rises 700 toes above the Hudson River and is the very best elevation alongside Newburgh’s boundary with the City of New Windsor. Snake Hill is the dominant function of the panorama surrounding Newburgh and New Windsor.
Snake Hill as seen from Mount Beacon – 2016
It drops off precipitously to the east, giving unobstructed views of the Hudson River, the cities of Newburgh and New Windsor, Storm King Mountain to the south, and Beacon and Breakneck mountains to the east.
Historical past:
As soon as named Muchattoes Hill (A lot-Hattoos, A lot-Hattoes), which loosely translated means unhealthy or evil small hill. In native nomenclature the hill has lengthy been referred to as Snake Hill from the abundance of rattlesnakes that inhabited it, although few have been seen there lately.
On the summit of Snake Hill there’s a rock outcrop known as “Spy Rock.” Based on the Historic Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, “Legends say native Indians after which colonial militia used the excessive level to observe exercise on the Hudson.”
Blue Path benches – Snake Hill
Throughout the American Revolution, patriots saved a sign fireplace in readiness atop Snake Hill to warn surrounding communities of a British invasion upriver.
Though the land didn’t face any menace of growth, Scenic Hudson felt it was price completely defending and the chance to take action arose. Scenic Hudson paid $1.06 million for 95 acres, comprising the majority of Snake Hill, in 2004.
The paths had been constructed from 2017-2018 (completed in spring of 2018) by Scenic Hudson and volunteers. Scenic Hudson maintains the paths, once more with volunteer assist.
Due to Reed Sparling, Author and Scenic Hudson Historian for offering the data on its historical past.
Trails Overview:
There are three marked trails on the map and a paved highway that cuts by means of the middle of the property. There are additionally some unmarked “social” trails as properly. The official trails are properly marked and comparatively straightforward to comply with, though they’ll use an additional blaze or two at a few turns.
Snake Hill Path Map – 2022
The paths are marked with Scenic Hudson spherical plastic discs in varied colours.
Snake Hill – Scenic Hudson
The Yellow Path, travels by means of the Metropolis of Newburgh property and is marked with painted rectangular blazes. The Scenic Hudson path map solely reveals the spur that results in the view.
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Hike Overview:
I’ve been seeing photos posted on social media of the marvelous views from Snake Hill for just a few years. Since there’s extraordinarily restricted info on-line in regards to the trails, and no path map out there till just lately, it remained a hidden gem. Then I got here throughout a Fb publish about Snake Hill from Scenic Hudson. I requested a path map and so they added one on their web site. That made it a simple selection for a go to.
On the day that we hiked Snake Hill, it was overcast and rain was predicted. A number of drops fell on us that day, however not sufficient to remove from the enjoyment of the hike. We drove nearly one hour from the Decrease Hudson Valley and it was properly price it. The attract of the wide-ranging views from Snake Hill is that I obtained to see numerous the Hudson Highlands that I’ve beforehand hiked.
Panoramic view from Snake Hill
This loop hike is on the decrease finish of the “average” scale. There are specific steep areas on the Blue Path, however for essentially the most half, the Blue Path climbs Snake Hill regularly. The Yellow Path descends steeply in elements, however totally on a paved highway.
Snake Hill Loop
elevation profile – Snake Hill Loop
The Hike:
This hike begins on the Crystal Lake Trailhead the place there’s a small lot with room for about 5-6 autos. The Purple Path begins simply previous the cut up rail fence and bollards. I didn’t discover any purple markers at the beginning, however they do seem a little bit farther in. The Purple Path runs alongside the jap shore of Crystal Lake, which on the day that we visited, was lined with Blue-green algae.
Purple Path – Snake Hill
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake
Neighborhood Backyard at Crystal Lake.
Neighborhood Backyard – Crystal Lake
Proceed on the Purple Path and you must begin seeing the plastic spherical markers on the timber. In about 0.3-mile, the Purple Path reaches Snake Hill Cemetery, a Jewish graveyard that dates again to the 1800’s.
Purple Path – Snake Hill
Purple Path – Snake Hill
Purple Path – Snake Hill
Purple Path – Snake Hill
Simply to the left of the cemetery on a tree, are three pale yellow blazes marking the beginning of the Yellow Path. That shall be your return route, however for now, proceed forward on the Purple Path. In about one other 250 yards, the Purple Path ends at a junction with the Blue Path proper on the northeast finish of Miller’s Pond, which is totally lined in Blue-green algae.
Snake Hill Cemetery
Snake Hill Cemetery
Snake Hill Cemetery
Purple Path – Snake Hill
Bear left on the Blue Path which travels on a woods highway alongside Miller’s Pond which is seen by means of the timber on the precise.
Flip left on Blue Path
Flip left on Blue Path
In about 100 yards or so, the Blue Path turns left, leaving the woods highway. This flip is simple to overlook. We walked proper by it and needed to again monitor. The Blue Path now begins to ascend Snake Hill on switchbacks, passing an assortment of attention-grabbing trying boulders alongside the way in which.
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
In a couple of mile from the beginning of the Blue Path, it turns left on a paved entry highway for about 60 toes, then turns proper on a footpath, leaving the highway.
Flip left on paved highway
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
The Blue Path climbs to the southeast fringe of the ridge, slightly below the summit. Right here the Blue Path turns left, however you must flip proper leaving the Blue Path and comply with the White Path for about 300 yards to a southeast-facing viewpoint.
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Flip proper on White Path
White Path – Snake Hill
White Path – Snake Hill
View southeast from White Path – Snake Hill
From this spot you’ll be able to see Breakneck Ridge (left) and Storm King Mountain (proper) which type the northern gateway to the Hudson Highlands. Sugarloaf Mountain is simply to the left of Breakneck with Pollepel Island and Bannerman Citadel simply in entrance of it within the Hudson River.
View southeast from White Path – Snake Hill
View southeast from White Path – Snake Hill
Wanting instantly throughout the Hudson River, the 2 excessive factors are North Beacon Mountain (1,526 ft.) with its communications towers and South Beacon Mountain (1,611 ft.) with its fireplace tower. The lengthy knobby ridge to the precise is Scofield Ridge. On the jap shore of the Hudson River is Denning’s Level.
View east from White Path – Snake Hill
If you find yourself achieved having fun with the view, retrace your steps uphill again to the Blue Path. Simply to the precise there’s a rock outcrop with related views as these on the White Path.
Finish of White Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
View southeast – Blue Path – Snake Hill
View southeast – Blue Path – Snake Hill
Proceed North on the Blue Path for about one other 415 toes to its terminus at a pair of benches positioned upon a big rock outcrop. This makes for a terrific place to loosen up and take within the majestic view.
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path benches – Snake Hill
Blue Path benches – Snake Hill
Blue Path benches – Snake Hill
Blue Path benches – Snake Hill
Blue Path benches – Snake Hill
If you find yourself able to proceed, stroll a brief distance on an unmarked footpath instantly behind the benches that result in the paved entry highway. Flip proper on the entry highway and proceed north.
Paved highway – Snake Hill
After the highway passes a communications tower, it’s now not paved.
Entry highway – Snake Hill
Quickly, the highway involves a gate with one other communication tower simply past on the left. You at the moment are leaving Scenic Hudson property and getting into property owned by the Metropolis of Newburgh. Proceed downhill on the paved highway previous the gate for about 400 toes.
Entry highway – Snake Hill
Entry highway – Snake Hill
Entry highway – Snake Hill
Search for a large footpath on the precise, simply previous phone pole #38 (phone pole #37 is instantly throughout from the path) that leads uphill. Despite the fact that chances are you’ll not see any blazes, that is the route of the Yellow Path that’s proven on the path map. Comply with this path for about 360 toes to a different viewpoint.
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Yellow Path viewpoint – Snake Hill
Right here the panorama is extra intensive, with views north in addition to south. The Beacon waterfront and the East Hudson Highlands might be seen throughout the river. The historic structure of Newburgh is seen down beneath to the north with the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge simply past.
Yellow Path viewpoint – Snake Hill
Yellow Path viewpoint – Snake Hill
View south from the Yellow Path.
Yellow Path viewpoint – Snake Hill
If you find yourself able to proceed, retrace your steps again to the paved entry highway and switch proper. It’s possible you’ll begin to see painted yellow blazes on the timber. This part of the Yellow Path is proven as an entry highway on the path map. Comply with the highway steeply downhill for about 0.36-mile. The Yellow Path makes a pointy left activate an outdated woods highway that descends regularly. This part of the Yellow Path will not be proven on the path map. There is probably not any markers indicating this flip (I don’t bear in mind seeing any), however the woods highway is well discernible.
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Comply with the woods highway (Yellow Path) for about 250 yards to its terminus on the Snake Hill Cemetery. Flip proper on the Purple Path and retrace your steps again to the parking space at Crystal Lake, the place the hike started.
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Purple Path – Snake Hill
Crystal Lake Trailhead – Snake Hill
Evaluate:
A very nice hike that results in a number of the greatest views within the Hudson Valley. The paths are properly marked and simple to comply with. Solely noticed one individual all through your complete hike on the day that we visited. The one factor damaging that may be mentioned, is that the world round Crystal Lake is a little bit run-down and I seen what seemed to be a homeless encampment within the woods simply off the Purple Path. I wouldn’t go away something of worth within the car or in plain sight. That is an space that one ought to most likely not hike alone. Aside from that, a hike price doing only for the views.
Professionals:
Attractive Hudson River Valley views, properly marked trails, not a lot foot visitors.
Cons:
Trailhead is in an industrial space and seems a little bit sketchy.
Take a hike!
Snake Hill Loop
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