Taconic State Park, NY and Mt. Washington State Forest, MA: Alander Mountain to Brace Mountain

ABOUT THE PARKS:
Taconic State Park, NY - New York State Office of Parks and Recreation
Mt. Washington State Forest, MA - Massachusetts DCR
Alander Mountain - Wikipedia
Brace Mountain - Wikipedia
Paragliding and Hang Gliding on Brace Mountain - Mount Brace Outdoor Club

DIRECTIONS:
This is a two car shuttle hike - see notes at bottom***

Leave car #1 at end of hike:
GPS Coordinates for Alander Brook Trail Parking: 42.065784, -73.515586

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Note that the trailhead is not at this parking lot - it is a short distance west around the bend of Undermountain Road on the right.  Although there is space, there are no parking signs at the trailhead.

Signs at the trailhead.

Drive car #2 to the beginning of the hike:
GPS Coordinates for Taconic State Park parking lot: 42.117150, -73.507789

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Pick up the South Taconic Trail to the right of the porta-potties in the parking lot.

TRAIL MAPS:
Mt. Washington State Forest Trail Map - Massachusetts DCR (does not show entire hike)
South Taconic Trails - NY/NJ Trail Conference (does not show car #1 parking)
South Taconic Range Map - Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Inc.

HIKE DISTANCE:  11.2 miles

PEAK BAGGING:
Alander Mountain
Brace Mountain

THE HIKE:
Starting along the path leaving the parking lot to the left of the porta-potties, you will soon see the white blazes of the South Taconic Trail.  Follow to the left towards Bash Bish Brook.  At the T-intersection just before Bash Bish Brook, turn left on the gravel road and proceed over a bridge towards cabins.

The gravel road bridge as seen from the parking lot.

Just before the cabins, the South Taconic Trail enters the woods to the right on a footpath.

The trail ascends steeply but with no rock scrambles.  In just a little over a mile, a short blue-blazed side trail to the left leads to a view:

Click twice to enlarge.

In another .15 mile, arrive at an intersection with a blue-blazed trail, noted as "SIDE TRAIL" on the sign below.  This trail leads to Bash Bish Falls.  We had intended to park car #2 in the Bash Bish Falls parking lot and begin the hike there but were unable to locate the trailhead for this blue-blazed trail.  A hiker we ran into later told us it starts beyond the metal gate to the left of the parking lot - the only place we hadn't looked.

Be sure to turn around at the 3.1 mile point for a view to the north.  On a clear day you should be able to see Mount Greylock, the highest mountain in Massachusetts.

Mt. Greylock in the far center.

In another 10th of a mile, views to the west:

A little farther along arrive at the top of Alander Mountain with great views.

Old fire tower footings at the top of Alander Mountain; Brace Mountain to the left.

Click twice to enlarge.

At 5.1 miles, make note of the red-blazed Robert Brook Trail which goes to the right.  From this point it will be an out-and-back to Brace Mountain as the Robert Brook Trail leads to where car #1 is parked. 

At 6.3 miles the trail splits.  The forks merge back together a short distance ahead but the right fork will bring you to a view.  Be careful when the forks merge back together because a blue-blazed trail also comes in at this point and the blazes are not very obvious. Be sure to stay on the white-blazed trail, coming from the view you would turn right.

You might see paragliders just before reaching Brace Mountain.

 You will catch a glimpse of Mount Brace soon and it looks like a steep climb but amazingly, it is not.  It is actually a very easy .4 mile to the summit and you are there before you know it.

Brace Mountain summit from less than 1/2 mile away.

Brace Mountain Summit

Views from Brace Mountain:

The Hudson Valley and Catskills

Head back the way you came on the South Taconic Trail turning left on the red-blazed Robert Brook Trail.

Pass two different NY/MA state boundary markers.

The Robert Brook Trail descends through pretty forests with a ravine to the left.

HIKE SUMMARY: 

[  0.00]  Pick up white-blazed South Taconic Trail to the right of the porta-potties

[  1.10]  Left on blue side trail to view; retrace
[  1.20]  Continue left on white South Taconic Trail after returning from view
[  1.35]  Stay on white trail when blue-blazed trail goes left
[  3.10]  Turn around for view to the north
[  3.20]  View to the west
[  3.40]  Continue on white-blazed South Taconic Trail at intersection where trails to left go to park headquarters at the top of Alander Mountain
[  4.65]  Keep straight on South Taconic Trail when blue-blazed Alander Loop Trail comes in from the left
[  5.10]  Keep straight on South Taconic Trail when red-blazed Robert Brook Trail goes right
[  6.30]  When trail splits, take the right fork to a view; come out at an intersection with a blue-blazed; keep right on the white-blazed South Taconic Trail
[  7.40]  Summit of Brace Mountain; retrace heading north on South Taconic Trail
[  8.40]  Keep straight when blue-blazed trail goes right
[  9.70]  Turn left on the red-blazed Robert Brook Trail
[  9.90]  Two state line markers
[ 11.05]  At T-intersection Robert Brook Trail ends, turn left on blue-blazed Alander Brook Trail
[ 11.10]  Turn left on paved Undermountain Road and follow around sharp curve
[ 11.20]  Parking area on left

***We had intended to park car #1 at the southern trailhead of the South Taconic Trail here:

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Although I am confident we had the correct spot (across from a house, near the quarry, gravel pullout for parking) we could not find the trail going into the woods, only private property signs and a sign that the land is for sale.  It seems as though the southern trailhead no longer exists so we left the car at the Alander Brook Trail parking area and hiked out and back to Brace Mountain instead of straight through. 

Bash Bish Falls/Sunset Rock/Prospect Hill - Bash Bish State Park, MA and Taconic State Park, NY

ABOUT THE PARKS:
Bash Bish State Park, MA
Taconic State Park, NY

TRAIL MAP:
NY/NJ Trail Conference South Taconic Trails Map #4
Mt. Washington State Forest Map - Massachusetts DCR

DIRECTIONS:
From the New York State Thruway I-87/I-287, take the Saw Mill Parkway north to I-684 north. I-684 north turns into 22 north. Stay on 22 north all the way to Copake Falls, NY, then turn right on 344 to Taconic State Park.  Pass the Bash Bish lower parking area on the right in Taconic State Park and proceed to the upper Bash Bish parking area a short distance ahead on the right in Bash Bish State Park, MA.  GPS coordinates: 42.113844, -73.491608

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HIKE DISTANCE:  8.1 miles

HIKE DIRECTIONS:
From the upper Bash Bish Falls parking lot in Massachusetts, with your back to Route 344, head to the right on the blue-blazed trail.  This trail is not shown on the main map but there is an enlargement of it on the reverse side of the map.  This trail is rocky and at times descends steeply while going through a beautiful forest which chokes out most of the sunlight.  You will be able to hear the waterfalls which become increasingly louder.

At 0.4 miles, arrive at a gravel road.  Turn left to go a short distance to Bash Bish Falls.

View from the upper platform.

Up close view at bottom of steps leading to the falls.

Start the hike early because the falls will be crowded later in the day as you come this way again.

After visiting the falls, head back the way you came on the gravel road, keeping to the left as the blue-blazed trail you came down on veers to the right.

You will soon see signs indicating you are leaving Massachusetts and entering New York.  The gravel road will run parallel to Bash Bish Brook.

At 1.0 miles arrive at the Taconic State Park, NY lower Bash Bish Falls parking lot where there are porta potties.  Continue through the lot veering right to Route 344 where you will see the Cedar Brook Trail trailhead directly across Route 344.

This is an optional return route if water levels are low as this trail is impassable otherwise.
Cross over Route 344 and turn left.  Walk a few steps over the bridge then turn right into the woods where the white-blazed South Taconic Trail heads north.  Follow this trail heading towards the campgrounds.

Most of the South Taconic Trail will be a woods road up to Sunset Rock.

Follow the white-blazed Taconic trail to the right when the campground is visible straight ahead and then to the left at a chain link fence section.  The trail will be going uphill, sometimes gradually, other times more steeply.  At 2.6 miles arrive at the other end of the Cedar Brook Trail keeping left on the South Taconic Trail.

At 3.25 miles arrive at a sign which points to the left for Sunset Rock.  Follow red blazes painted on the stones on the ground, then on trees for a short distance to the overlook.  You will need to stand on Sunset Rock for better views over the trees.

Views of the Hudson Valley with the Catskills in the distance.

Retrace your steps on the red-blazed trail, turning left on the white-blazed South Taconic Trail.  You will soon enter an arbor tunnel where the trees form a canopy overhead.

At 3.5 miles keep to the left when an unmarked trail veers right.  At 3.7 miles cross over Sunset Rock Road, turn left and walk briefly down the road to the continuation of the white-blazed South Taconic trail on the right.

At 4.1 miles there will be a Massachusetts state line marker dated 1898 straight ahead.  Turn left before the marker to Prospect Hill views.

I hiked farther north almost another mile from this point as there were supposed to be more views but I did not see any so unless you want a longer hike, retrace your steps back from this point for an 8.1 mile hike.
At 5.6 miles arrive back at the blue-blazed Cedar Brook Trail trailhead.

This trail is strenuous with some very steep downhill sections where you need to watch your footing carefully but it is a much prettier and interesting trail than the woods road of the South Taconic Trail you came up on.  Only attempt this trail during periods of low water as otherwise the trail would definitely be not be passable.  You will be rock hopping over Cedar Brook several times.  If water levels are high or if you are not up for a more strenuous section, return the way you came via the South Taconic Trail.  Either way, you will end up back at Route 344 where you go left through the lower Bash Bish Falls parking lot to the gravel road that takes you back to the falls.

At 7.7 miles arrive back at Bash Bish Falls and turn left on the blue-blazed trail which leads back to the parking lot.

At 8.1 miles arrive back at the parking lot.  If you are up for a very short but challenging rock scramble to some great views, head on up by the sign at the south center of the parking lot which directs you to a scenic view.  There will be hand rails and cables to assist in climbing up.

If you are heading back home south on Route 22, about half an hour away from the park is a farm market on the right that has some very nice organic produce.