Kent, NY
SYNOPSIS: This is a great hike in every season. In the cold weather its quiet and crisp, and the mountain laurel patches and the hemlock grove at the far end of the loop contrasts with barren trees on the rest of the hike. In the warm weather, Hawk Rock is a great spot to stop and have lunch.
APPROXIMATE TIME: Two to three hours, depending upon how fast you walk and how often you stop. I did a slow, winter walk and the loop took me two hours with a few stops.
DIFFICLUTLY: East to moderate. There are no really big hills, but a few steady climbs that will get your heart pumping.
DIRECTIONS: There is a small parking lot at the very end of Whangtown Road. Look for the trailhead kiosk. IMPORTANT: Since this is a NYC DEP watershed property, you will need to get and display an access permit, otherwise you risk getting a ticket and/or towed.
THE HIKE: I did a counter clockwise loop. It took me 2 hours to hike approximately 4 miles. Much of the hike is on old woods roads. The trail is pretty well marked, thanks to the 2015 Eagle Project of Patrick LaFontaine. Allow yourself enough time to explore the stone chamber(s), picnic at Hawk Rock, check out Balanced Rock and the streams.
MAP & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Hawk Rock
