November 5, 2022 – Haverstraw, NY
Issue: Straightforward
Size: Roughly 4.5 miles
Max elevation: 131 ft.– whole elevation acquire roughly 373 ft.
Route kind: Out and again
Purchase Map (Paper & Avenza): Hudson Palisades Trails Map #111 (2018)
Trailhead parking: Hudson River Greenway trailhead & parking
Riverside Ave, Haverstraw, NY 10927
Paved parking space for about 8 automobiles – No restrooms on web site
The park is open year-round, from daybreak to nightfall.
Overview:
The 73-acre Haverstraw Seaside State Park is nestled between the excessive cliffs of Hook Mountain and the Hudson River. It’s a part of the bigger Rockland Lake State Park complicated. The park complicated is situated on the Hudson River in central Rockland County within the decrease Hudson Valley. Haverstraw Seaside State Park is minimally developed, and is NOT a swimming seashore, however primarily provides trails for biking, climbing and dog-walking. Scenic vistas overlooking the Hudson River, might be discovered inside the park. The Hook Mountain/Nyack Seaside Bikeway/River Path runs by way of the park.
Haverstraw Seaside, Rockland Lake, Hook Mountain and Nyack Seaside state parks are collectively almost 2,000 acres of public land. The 4 adjoining state parks are linked collectively by climbing and biking trails and performance as one park system.
The park complicated is situated within the Palisades Area that’s collectively administered by the Palisades Interstate Park Fee (PIPC) and NYS Workplace of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP).
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Historical past:
In Dutch, “Haverstroo” means “oat straw,” presumably urged by the wild oats that grew on the waterfront beds of pure clay within the space. This clay helped the Haverstraw space play a big position within the brick trade, because of the clay content material within the soil and the big amount of wooden accessible close by, together with wooden from Hook Mountain that was wanted to fireside the furnaces. Some proof from this time interval stays within the space within the type of ruins and discarded bricks.
On the night time of September twenty first, 1780, British spy Main John André traveled north on a British sloop, the H.M.S. Vulture. On the similar time, American Normal Benedict Arnold traveled south from West Level to Haverstraw. Arnold met Andre alongside the Hudson River shoreline close to Haverstraw’s Dutchtown within the early morning hours of September 22, 1780. A stone marker identifies the place the place Andre landed (Andre’s Dock).
Treason Rock Map
The H.M.S. Vulture was anchored in Haverstraw Bay simply off Teller’s Level (Croton Level Park), whereas a rowboat introduced André ashore for the assembly with Arnold. A historic marker alongside the River Path designates the world the place American Normal Benedict Arnold met secretly with British Main John André within the pre-dawn darkness on September 22, 1780 to be able to finalize plans for Arnold’s betrayal of West Level to the British.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
The park’s location was previously often called Snedeker’s Touchdown then afterward Waldberg Touchdown. Early within the nineteenth Century the Snedeker household’s touchdown on the Hudson shore beneath, got here into use for native delivery. In 1845 the Snedekers established a shipyard with marine railway for repairing brickyard vessels and a dock for scheduled steamboats. Your entire yard was demolished by hearth in 1854 and deserted. Later through the Conger household possession it grew to become often called Waldberg Touchdown.
The Palisades Interstate Park Fee bought what was to turn into the park in 1911 to guard the land from the results of quarrying that had been impacting the Hudson River Palisades through the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Most of the historic buildings and websites discovered on Hook Mountain, Nyack Seaside and Haverstraw Seaside State Parks are remnants of a former park complicated developed by PIPC after the acquisition of the land in 1911.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Trails Overview:
The Lengthy Path runs alongside the escarpment above, whereas a motorcycle path follows the river’s edge from Haverstraw Seaside State Park in “Dutchtown,” a quaint part of Haverstraw, to Nyack Seaside State Park in Higher Nyack. Guests can bike, hike, stroll, or run for nearly 5 uninterrupted miles alongside the Hudson River. The River Path is the one path alongside the decrease Hudson River in New York, that doesn’t share its waterfront with a prepare line or freeway. The Lengthy Path parallels this path excessive above atop the cliffs.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Three connecting trails to the Lengthy Path, one every on the north, south, and center factors of the magnificent facade of Hook Mountain, enable for round hikes of various lengths. The total loop of the Lengthy Path and bike path is 12 miles.
The part of the River Path chronicled right here, runs close to the bottom of Hook Mountain and is a part of Hudson River Valley Greenway. The roughly 10-foot large path is paved on the northern finish, however transitions to crumbling asphalt then gravel because it heads south.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Hike Overview:
Trying to get exterior on a heat November day, I used to be in search of extra of a straightforward stroll than an precise hike. Initially, I used to be going to stroll the River Path from Nyack Seaside State Park, however having walked that part quite a few instances, determined to begin on the northern finish in Haverstraw. I additionally needed to take a look at “Treason Rock” also referred to as “Traitor’s Rock.” An engraved boulder on the shore of the Hudson River, marking the spot the place Main John André landed in Haverstraw to plot the give up of West Level with Normal Benedict Arnold. The issue is, the engraved boulder can solely be considered throughout low tide. I must return one other time to truly see it. The NY-NJ Path Convention map exhibits Treason Rock on land, however it’s truly on the shore of the river.
Treason Rock – Photograph by Joe Harness – August 14, 2010
This part of the River Path is much less standard and thus much less traveled than the world round Nyack Seaside State Park. There being solely 8 parking areas could also be one of many causes that this part sees much less foot visitors. We noticed a couple of 1/2 dozen folks strolling and about the identical quantity of bikers. Not like the part at Nyack Seaside State Park which runs principally at river stage, the River Path in Haverstraw Seaside State Park runs larger above the river with a couple of spur trails that descend to river stage.
That is a straightforward out and again which might be simply become an extended and more difficult hike by using the Lengthy Path, or persevering with alongside the River Path 4.9 miles to Nyack Seaside State Park.
Haverstraw Seaside State Park
As you possibly can see beneath, the River Path is usually average rolling terrain, with little elevation acquire.
elevation profile – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
The Hike:
This hike begins on the Hudson River Greenway trailhead parking space, on the finish of Riverside Avenue, the place there are lined parking areas for 8 automobiles.
Hudson River Greenway trailhead & parking
Proceed previous the gate on the paved River Path. This can be a multi-use path so be vigilant of passing two-wheelers and runners.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
As you stroll south on the River Path, the Hudson River is seen by way of the timber on the left. In about 250 yards, there’s a historic marker alongside the pathway detailing American Normal Benedict Arnold’s assembly with British spy John André.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
In about 0.3 mile from the parking space, there’s a footpath on the left that leads all the way down to outdated Redstone Seaside, which was deserted someday after World Warfare II. We continued previous and explored this space on the way in which again.
Path to Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Simply forward are the stays of the caretaker’s residence, barely seen by way of the vegetation.
Deserted caretaker’s residence – Redstone Seaside
Deserted caretaker’s residence – Redstone Seaside
A brief distance forward, there’s a deteriorated outdated park constructing on the left.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Quickly, the River Path passes stone quarries that had been deserted within the early 1900’s. Just a few hundred yards south, one can see the inspiration and big concrete footings of the Foss stone crusher (Wilson Perkins Foss), down beneath on the left.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
The River Path climbs steadily and passes a concrete and brick shelter constructed into the hillside. Presumably a crude blast shelter to guard staff from blasts, explosions and rock slides throughout quarry operations.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Fencing has been positioned at factors of abrasion to warn guests of steep slopes and scale back the chance of accidents.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
About 1.5 miles from the beginning, the River Path involves a viewpoint over the Hudson River and Croton Level Park. There are a few massive stone blocks positioned right here to take a seat upon. This makes for a great place to take a break and benefit from the view.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
I noticed one thing floating within the river, presumably a private flotation system that fell out of a ship.
One thing floating within the river
Boat on the Hudson
The point of view makes for a superb turnaround spot, however we continued south for a brief distance and had been glad that we did.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
A big hollowed out fallen tree which might make a pleasant shelter for some critters.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
I occurred to identify a Bald Eagle perched on a tree overlooking the river. He stayed there posing for us for fairly a while, then flew off in search of one thing to eat I presume.
Bald Eagle – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Bald Eagle – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Bald Eagle – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Bald Eagle – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
We then retraced our steps on the River Path and once we received to the footpath to Redstone Seaside, we turned proper and descended in the direction of the river’s edge.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Redstone Seaside Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
The realm is now in ruins and slightly overgrown, however in its heyday was fairly energetic. There are remnants of park benches and walkways designed to accommodate guests who used the Hudson River for swimming and different leisure actions.
Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
What stays of an outdated park constructing, presumably a altering room for beach-goers, is located near the sting of the river.
Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Shoreline view of the Hudson River east to Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County.
Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Trying south, that strip of land jutting out into the river behind the buoy, is Teller’s Level in Croton Level Park
Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Trying instantly throughout the Hudson River to Croton-On-Hudson.
Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Trying north in the direction of Haverstraw and past.
Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
This location all through historical past has had quite a lot of names. initially it was referred to as Snedekers Touchdown, then Waldberg Touchdown, and eventually Redstone Seaside.
Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
The concrete desk tops are just about intact, however have been separated from the legs.
Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
A small park constructing, a concession stand maybe?
Redstone Seaside – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
After exploring Redstone Seaside for a bit, we returned to the River Path, turned proper and walked again to the parking space, the place the hike started.
River Path – Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Evaluation:
A very nice stroll with little foot visitors. The path is usually shaded and with minimal elevation acquire, makes it splendid for a sizzling summer time day. In winter, most likely a great place to view Bald Eagles and different birds of prey. In Autumn, the surroundings is kind of good.
Professionals:
Straightforward strolling path, historic options, Hudson River views. wildlife.
Cons:
None.
Take a hike!
Haverstraw Seaside State Park
Sources:
