Mount Beacon Park / Hudson Highlands State Park
Dutchess Co.,
New York
Hiking Trails:
Casino Trail: Red blaze
Breakneck Ridge Trail: White blaze
Total Time: 3:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.4 Miles
Pros: Solid climb, great views
Cons: Graffiti and busy area
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uZiCxr2vQ6akzJkQA
Mt. Beacon is the highest mountain in the Hudson Highlands. The most popular hike up Mt. Beacon is to the former Casino site with a sweeping view overlooking the city of Beacon. However, the more serene and dramatic hike is further along the trail to the top of the mountain and the fire tower. It was Thanksgiving and I was off, so I took the opportunity to do the full hike to the fire tower.
I parked at the Mt. Beacon Trailhead on Route 9D at Mount Beacon Park. (This parking area was recently rehabilitated.) I took the Casino Trail, a heavily used trail, up the mountain passed the former abandoned incline railway site. Many years ago, there was an active incline railway up the mountain to the former Casino site.
I took the steps portion of the trail, and continued the rigorous and unrelenting trail up the mountain. I then approached the abandoned pull station of the top railroad incline, where the major view is, and with the clear day and blue skies it was impressive. I then continued along the Casino Trail further up the mountain, along the side of the ridge, with the fire tower in view in the distance. I passed some views along the way and then at the Breakneck Ridge Trail, I took the trail further up the mountain towards the top. The top area is rocky with sparse tree cover, and has great views. It was really windy on the top and I was afraid to take the fire tower to the top, but in the end I was able to come to my grips and do the final climb to the top of the tower. I then climbed down the rocky trail on the north side of the mountain, which I took back to the Casino Trail and back down the mountain to the parking area.
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| Map of the Route |
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| Information at the Start of the Hike |
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| Beginning of the Trail |
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| Ruins of the Start of the Incline Railroad |
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| Steps Up the Steep Part |
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| Water Tank Near the Steps |
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| Top of the Incline Railroad Ruins |
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| View of Beacon from the Top of the Incline Railroad |
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| View of Beacon from the Casino Site Ruins |
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| View of Denning Point |
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| View of Beacon and the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge |
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| View of the Hudson River |
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| View of the Fire Tower in the Distance |
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| Abandoned Communications Tower |
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| View Ascending Towards the Summit |
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| Approaching the Fire Tower |
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| View from the Top of Mt. Beacon |
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| View from the Fire Tower |
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| View of the Beacon Reservoir from the Fire Tower |
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View of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge from the Fire Tower
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View of North Beacon Mountain from the Fire Tower
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| Fire Tower at the Summit |
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| Abandoned Communications Tower on Beacon Mountain |
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| Abandoned Building Interior at the Above Tower |
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| Ruins at the Top of Incline Railroad |
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| View of Beacon at the Top of the Casino Site Ruins |
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| Late Season Fall Foliage |
