November 12, 2022 – New Windsor, NY
Issue: Straightforward – Reasonable
Size: Roughly 2 miles
Max elevation: 705 ft.– complete elevation acquire roughly 450 ft.
Route kind: Lollipop Loop
Free map: Snake Hill Path Map 2022 – Scenic Hudson
Trailhead parking: San Giacomo Park, 402 Union Ave, New Windsor, NY 12553
Giant paved parking zone – Restrooms on website
Park Closes At Nightfall
San Giacomo Park and Snake Hill are Carry-in/Carry-out areas
Particulars on a hike to Snake Hill through totally different a route:
Overview:
Snake Hill rises 700 toes above the Hudson River and is the 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 Denning’s Level – 2022
Snake Hill as seen from Mount Beacon – 2016
Snake Hill is a neighborhood landmark that provides 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 dangerous or evil small hill. In native nomenclature the hill has lengthy been often called Snake Hill from the abundance of rattlesnakes that inhabited it, although 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 colonial militia used the excessive level to observe exercise on the Hudson.”
Blue Path benches – Snake Hill
Through the American Revolution, patriots saved a sign hearth in readiness atop Snake Hill to warn surrounding communities of a British invasion upriver.
Though the land didn’t face any risk of improvement, Scenic Hudson felt it was value 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 have 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 knowledge on its historical past.
Trails Overview:
There are three marked trails on the map and a paved street 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 observe, 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 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 which doesn’t have many blazes.
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Hike Overview:
I first hiked Snake Hill in early September, 2022. I loved the view a lot that I got here again two extra instances since then. Snake Hill has a number of the finest views anyplace 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 best carried out 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 by means of the evening and into the morning of this hike, I made a decision it was an excellent time to return. When the rain ended it grew to become a bit of hazy, however nonetheless these views need to be skilled to really admire them.
This can be a brief Lollipop Loop with the stick being on the far finish. It may be mixed with a number of the different trails for a barely longer hike. We utilized the paved street 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 Hike:
This hike begins close to the northeast space of the parking zone. Comply with an unmarked footpath previous the gate and switch left on the paved street. In about 180 toes, 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 Street – San Giacomo Park
White Path – Snake Hill
White Path – Snake Hill
The White Path climbs steadily by means of the woods spending some attention-grabbing trying boulders which can be scattered about. In about 0.4 mile, the White Path reaches a slanted rock outcrop with large 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 is seen to the precise. Throughout the Hudson River, an excellent stretch of the East Hudson Highlands could be seen with Pollepel Island and Bannerman’s Citadel 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 seen to the left are on North Beacon Mountain.
Turkey Vulture – Snake Hill
North Beacon Mountain excellent of middle 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 quite 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 a fantastic spot to chill out 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 observe for exercise on the Hudson. Through the American Revolution, patriots saved a sign hearth in readiness at this spot to warn surrounding 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, observe the unmarked footpath instantly behind the benches out to the paved entry street and switch proper. Comply with the asphalt street 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 street
Paved entry street – Snake Hill
Communication tower – Snake Hill
When you move the tower, the street is not paved till you get to the following tower.
Unpaved street – Snake Hill
I don’t know what the aim of this contraption is. It’s a small locker strung up on this pole utilizing insulated electrical wires. By the way in which it’s rigged up, it seems that it may very well be raised and lowered. If anybody is aware of what that is used for, please remark beneath. It was right here the final two instances that I hiked this space.
Unpaved street – Snake Hill
Quickly, the street involves a gate with one other communications tower simply past on the left. You are actually leaving Scenic Hudson property and coming into property owned by the Metropolis of Newburgh. Proceed downhill on the paved street previous the gate for about 400 toes. After passing phone pole #38, flip proper on a woods street that heads uphill briefly then turns left. That is the route of the Yellow Path though you might not see any blazes. The path useless ends in about 360 toes at one other beautiful viewpoint.
Unpaved street – Snake Hill
Unpaved street – Snake Hill
Communications tower – Snake Hill
Paved entry street – Snake Hill
Phone pole 38 – paved entry street – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Right here the panorama is extra in depth, 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 carried out having fun with the view, retrace your steps on the Yellow Path again to the paved street and switch left. Proceed retracing your steps previous the 2 communications towers and proceed downhill on the paved street. We stopped on the viewpoint with the benches yet another time then returned to the paved street, following it downhill all the way in which to San Giacomo Park, the place the hike started.
Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Flip left on paved entry street
Unmarked footpath – Snake Hill summit
Blue Path benches – Snake Hill
Blue Path benches view – Snake Hill
Paved entry street – Snake Hill
Offended boulder – Snake Hill
Evaluate:
That is one in all my favourite views, a lot in order that I’ve hiked it thrice in two months. We noticed two individuals on the first viewpoint on the White Path and nobody thereafter. I’m stunned that every time that I’ve hiked Snake Hill, I haven’t seen greater than a few individuals. This can be a great place for a comparatively straightforward hike and people benches are nice. I extremely advocate this hike to people who take pleasure in Hudson Valley views.
Execs:
Excellent views, properly marked trails, no litter (let’s maintain it that means!), not a lot foot site visitors, giant paved parking zone that feels protected to depart your automobile.
Cons:
None.
Take a hike!
Snake Hill from San Giacomo Park
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