November 12, 2022 – New Windsor, NY
Issue: Simple – Average
Size: Roughly 2 miles
Max elevation: 705 ft. – whole elevation achieve roughly 450 ft.
Route sort: Lollipop Loop
Free maps: Snake Hill Path Map 2022 – Scenic Hudson
Trailhead parking: San Giacomo Park, 402 Union Ave, New Windsor, NY 12553
Massive paved parking zone – Restrooms on web site
Park Closes At Nightfall
San Giacomo Park and Snake Hill are Carry-in/Carry-out areas
Particulars on a hike to Snake Hill through a unique route:
Overview:
Snake Hill rises 700 ft 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
Snake Hill is an area landmark that gives sweeping views of the Hudson River and surrounding panorama from its summit. The Hill straddles the Metropolis of Newburgh/City of New Windsor. It drops off precipitously to the east, giving unobstructed views of the Hudson River, the East Hudson Highlands, the cities of Newburgh and New Windsor, Pollepel Island to the southeast, and Storm King Mountain to the south.
View from Snake Hill
San Giacomo Park is a 9-acre City Park that has the next facilities: Canine Park (Membership Required For Canine Park), Basketball Courts, Tennis Courts, Playground, and Restrooms. Park Closes At Nightfall.
San Giacomo Park
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 often called Snake Hill from the abundance of rattlesnakes that inhabit it, though few have been seen there in recent times.
On the summit of Snake Hill there’s a rock outcrop known as “Spy Rock.” In line with the Historic Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, “Legends say native Indians after which the colonial militia used the excessive level to look at exercise on the Hudson.”
Blue Path benches – Snake Hill
In the course of the American Revolution, patriots saved a sign hearth in readiness atop Snake Hill to paint the encircling communities of a British invasion upriver.
Though the land did not face any menace of growth, Scenic Hudson felt it was value completely defending and the chance to take action arose. Scenic Hudson paid $1.06 million for 95 acres, consisting of 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.
Because of 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 via the middle of the property. There are additionally some unmarked “social” trails as nicely. The official trails are nicely marked and comparatively straightforward to comply with, though they will 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 via the Metropolis of Newburgh property and is marked with painted rectangular blazes. The Scenic Hudson path map solely exhibits the spur that results in the view which does not have many blazes.
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Climbing Overview:
I first hiked Snake Hill in early September, 2022. I loved the view a lot that I got here again two extra occasions since then. Snake Hill has a few of the greatest views wherever up and down the Hudson River. Usually I’m an early morning hiker to safe a parking spot and keep away from the crowds. However this hike is healthier achieved after noon. Noon you ask? Sure, as a result of as fabulous because the views are, on a sunny day, the solar is correct in your face as you attempt to {photograph} and/or benefit from the views. Because it was raining all via the evening and into the morning of this hike, I made a decision it was time to return. When the rain ended it turned a bit hazy, however nonetheless these views must be skilled to really recognize them.
This can be a quick Lollipop Loop with the stick being on the far finish. It may be mixed with a few of the different trails for a barely longer hike. We used the paved highway for our return route after stopping on the bench view for a second time.
Snake Hill from San Giacomo Park
elevation profile – Snake Hill from San Giacomo Park
The Hikes:
This hike begins close to the northeast space of the parking zone. Observe an unmarked footpath previous the gate and switch left on the paved highway. In about 180 ft, flip proper on the White Path, which is marked with three white blazes and an indication. You’ll be following the White Path for the following 1/2 mile or so.
San Giacomo Park trailhead
Flip left after the gate
Asphalt Highway – San Giacomo Park
White Path – Snake Hill
White Path – Snake Hill
The White Path climbs step by step via the woods spending some attention-grabbing trying boulders which are scattered about. In about 0.4 mile, the White Path reaches a slanted rock outcrop with vast ranging views over the Hudson River.
White Path – Snake Hill
White Path – Snake Hill
White Path – Snake Hill
White Path – Snake Hill
White Path – Snake Hill
White Path – Snake Hill
Storm King Mountain and Butter Hill are seen to the fitting. Throughout the Hudson River, you may see stretch of the East Hudson Highlands with Pollepel Island and Bannerman’s Fort close to its shore.
White Path – Snake Hill
White Path – Snake Hill
White Path – Snake Hill
There have been loads of vultures and several other hawks circling excessive above on this present day. The communications towers are seen to the left are on North Beacon Mountain.
Turkey Vulture – Snake Hill
North Beacon Mountain good of heart and the Mount Beacon Hearth Tower could be seen on the excessive level on the far proper.
White Path – Snake Hill
The White Path climbs fairly steeply, and shortly ends at a junction with the Blue Path, which is available in from the left. Proceed forward on the Blue Path, passing a rock outcrop simply off the path with comparable views as these on the White Path.
White Path – Snake Hill
White Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
In a brief distance, the Blue Path ends at a big rock outcrop fitted with two benches. This makes for an awesome spot to loosen up and benefit from the superb views.
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Often known as “Spy Rock,” Legend has it that native Indians after which colonial militia used this excessive level to look at for exercise on the Hudson. In the course of the American Revolution, patriots saved a sign of fireside in readiness at this spot to warn the encircling communities of British troops’ actions.
Blue Path – Snake Hill
A superb chunk of the Hudson River Highlands could be seen from this very spot.
View from Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
Blue Path – Snake Hill
If you end up able to proceed, comply with the unmarked footpath straight behind the benches out to the paved entry highway and switch proper. Observe the asphalt highway because it heads northeast alongside the summit ridge, quickly passing a communications tower on the left.
Unmarked footpath – Snake Hill summit
Flip proper on the paved highway
Paved entry highway – Snake Hill
Communication tower – Snake Hill
When you cross the tower, the highway is not paved till you get to the following tower.
Unpaved highway – Snake Hill
I do not know what the aim of this contraception is. It is a small locker strung up on this pole utilizing insulated electrical wires. By the best way it’s rigged up, it seems that it might be raised and lowered. If anybody is aware of what that is used for, please remark beneath. It was right here the final two occasions that I hiked this space.
Unpaved highway – Snake Hill
Quickly, the highway involves a gate with one other communications tower simply past on the left. You are actually 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 ft. After passing phone pole #38, flip proper on a woods highway that heads uphill briefly then turns left. That is the route of the Yellow Path regardless that chances are you’ll not see any blazes. The path useless ends in about 360 ft at one other pretty viewpoint.
Unpaved highway – Snake Hill
Unpaved highway – Snake Hill
Communications tower – Snake Hill
Paved entry highway – Snake Hill
Phone pole 38 – paved entry highway – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Right here the panorama is extra intensive, with views north in addition to south. The Beacon waterfront and the East Hudson Highlands could 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 – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
If you end up achieved having fun with the view, retrace your steps on the Yellow Path again to the paved highway and switch left. Proceed retracing your steps previous the 2 communications towers and proceed downhill on the paved highway. We stopped on the viewpoint with the benches yet another time then returned to the paved highway, following it downhill all the best way to San Giacomo Park, the place the hike started.
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Flip left on paved entry highway
Unmarked footpath – Snake Hill summit
Blue Path benches – Snake Hill
Blue Path benches view – Snake Hill
Paved entry highway – Snake Hill
Offended boulder – Snake Hill
Opinions:
That is one in every of my favourite views, a lot in order that I’ve hiked it 3 times in two months. We noticed two folks on the first viewpoint on the White Path and nobody thereafter. I’m stunned that each time that I’ve hiked Snake Hill, I have not seen greater than a few folks. This can be a good spot for a comparatively straightforward hike and people benches are nice. I extremely suggest this hike to those that benefit from the Hudson Valley views.
Execs:
Excellent views, nicely marked trails, no litter (let’s hold it that method!), not a lot foot site visitors, giant paved parking zone that feels protected to go away your automobile.
Cons:
None.
take a hike!
Snake Hill from San Giacomo Park
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