North & South Redoubt Highlands

Hudson Highlands State Park /
Garrison School Forest
Putnam Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Cannon Trail: Red blaze
Sloan Carriage Trail: Gray blaze

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.6 Miles

Pros: Very tranquil area
Cons: None

This is a little-known area with several trails and views. It's on the Hudson Highlands map set with a single isolate trail, but it turns it out this area is larger than I expected and there are several more trails here not listed on the map.

I parked in the small parking area on Snake Hill, and took the Cannon Trail alongside a steep hill on the side of a scenic ravine with a stream below. The trail then splits to a spur up North Redoubt, with a view on the top. This view isn't all that great but the spur is short so it wasn't a big deal. I went back down the spur to the main Cannon Trail. The first part of the hike is in Hudson Highlands State Park, and then the trail enters the Garrison School Forest, owned by the Garrison School District with several hiking trails. There is a information kiosk at the entrance to the forest.

I continued along the Cannon Trail to the top of South Redoubt. This area features a very good view of West Point and Storm King across the Hudson River. It was very windy up there so couldn't stay there long. I took the Sloan Carriage Trail from the viewpoint, looping around back to the Cannon Trail, which I then took the same return route. I had not met anyone on this hike, which is unusual for a Sunday morning, until I was near the end, where I met a fellow who asked me if I lost an outdoorsmans knife. I checked my Camelbak backpack and indeed it was missing, so I took the short spur up North Redoubt to retrieve my knife where he said he had left it. I then proceeded back the same route and then returned back to my car.

Map of the Route

Leftover Snow at the Beginning of the Hike

Hudson Highlands Entrance Plaque and Trailhead

Trail Climbing Along the Steep Ravine

Trail Split Marker at the South Redoubt Trail

View of the Hudson from North Redoubt

View Facing East from the South Redoubt

Old Structure on the Trail along the Meadow

Entering Garrison School Forest

Signs at the Entrance of Garrison School Forest

Informational Plaque Along South Redoubt

View Across the Hudson from South Redoubt 

View of West Point and Storm King Mountain from South Redoubt

Another View of West Point

View of the Gorge Between the Hudson

Me at the South Redoubt View