Fahnestock State Park-Round Hill Northern Portion

Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Putnam Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Round Hill Bypass Trail: Green blaze
Fahnestock Trail: Blue blaze
Perkins Trail: Yellow Trail
School Mountain Road Trail: White blaze
Perkins Access Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:25 hour
Estimated Distance: 5.6 Miles

Pros: Quiet and scenic area
Cons: No good views

The prior week I had really enjoyed my hike up Round in Clarence Fahnestock State Park. I wanted to hike some of the additional trails in the area including the northern ridge of Round Hill. While this hike was very quiet and tranquil, the scenery was not quite as dramatic with the views lacking when compared to the previous weeks hike.

The hike was very quiet, which was an advantage during the Coronavirus pandemic. I hardly saw any people on this hike, even on a beautiful spring weekend. I parked on the trailhead parking on Route 301 at the Round Hill Bypass Trailhead, and took the Round Hill Bypass Trail up the mountain to the notch in Round Hill. I then the took the Fahnestock Trail north, where at the high points behind shady trees there was still snow from the previous day's snow squall and cold temperature going through the night.

At the intersection with the Perking Trail, I took that trail north for a short distance, and then took an unmarked spur trail shown on the map that took me to the School Mountain Road Trail. I took the School Mountain Road Trail southwest until seeing an old abandoned house. There was a 3-trail intersection here, and I took the Perkins Trail back up the hill, passing a short cascade along the way. I then continued on this trail after adjoining the Fahnestock Trail once again, and at the split of the Fahnestock and Perkins Trail I took the Fahnestock Trail a several hundred feet towards the lake. After meeting the lake I turned around and went back to the Perkins Trail, and then took the Perkins Access Trail back to the Round Hill Bypass Trail and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

View from the Top of the Mountain

Snow Behind a Tree

More Snow Behind a Tree

Fahnestock Trail Along the Ridge

Greenery Sprouting on the Top of the Mountain

More Snow on the Top of the Mountain

Abandoned Home at the Perkins Trail and the School Mountain Road Trail

Close Up of the the Abandoned House in Bad Shape

3 Trail Intersection of the Trails

Marker at the Perkins Trail Terminus

Lake on the Fahnestock Trail

Island in the Lake

View from the Lake Towards Glynwood

View Across the Lake

Me at the Lake