Fahnestock State Park-Round Hill

Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Putnam Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
School Mountain Road Trail: White blaze
Fahnestock Trail: Blue blaze
Round Hill Bypass Trail: Green blaze

Total Time: 2:20 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.8 Miles

Pros: Very scenic area with great views
Cons: None

Continuing my exploration of Fahnestock State Park, I decided to visit Round Hill, which looked impressive from the map. The area was generally quiet, especially for a very nice Sunday with warm weather (the temperature climbed up to 80 degrees by mid-day.)

I parked at the Hubbard Lodge parking area, near the Intersection of Route 9 and Route 301. I took the School Mountain Road Trail, crossing the new bridges, to the Fahnestock Trail at it's beginning, crossing the temporary bridge. I took the trail as it went around the south part of the  mountain and then snaked up to the first view at Round Top.

I continued along the ridge and then climbed to the top of the mountain, which is a rocky area with sweeping views to the east, overlooking Bull Hill and Storm King Mountain. I encountered a baby Common Quail at this point who must have lost it's mother as it was following me along the trail for some time.

I then continued along the trail, descending into a notch and then meeting the Round Hill Bypass Trail. On my maps, the Round Hill Bypass Trail has it's terminus at this point. However, I noticed that it extended further north, and figured that that it would meet with the School Mountain Road Trail and the bottom in the valley, as it was headed in that direction. My thought was correct, and it did meet the School Mountain Road Trail, passing along a very nice waterfall near the extended trail end. I then took the School Mountain Road Trail south, all the way to the trailhead and back to my car.

Map of the Route

Beginning of the Hike at the Trailhead

Round Hill as Seen from the Beginning of the Hike

School Mountain Road Trail with Newly Sprouted Greenery

Another View of Round Hill in the Distance from Beyond the Marsh

Newly Constructed Bridges over the Stream Crossing

Marshy Area and Brook from the New Bridge

Plaque Along the New Bridge, Built be West Point Cadets in 2018

Temporary Bridge Across the Brook

First View Along Round Top

View from Round Top, Facing Storm King Mountain

View of Bull Hill from Round Top

Tent with a Group of Hiking Campers on the Fahnestock Trail

Close-up of a Juvenile Common Quail

The Common Quail that Followed me along part of the Route

Me at the Main View at Round Hill

View Facing North from Round Hill from the View

Sweeping View Facing West from the Top of Round Hill

Zoomed Out at the Above Route

View Facing North from Round Hill

View at Round Hill Facing East, Above the Main Ridge

Waterfall at the Round Hill Bypass Trail

Me at the Above Waterfall

Another Cascade Right Above the Previous One

Intersection of Several Trails at the Terminus of the Round Hill Bypass Trail

New Bridge Across the Brook at the Terminus of the Round Hill Bypass Trail

Workers Actively Building a New Bridge at the School Mountain Road Trail