ABOUT THE PARK:
Taconic State Park Rudd Pond Area - NY State Parks, Recreation and Historic Perservation
South Taconic Trail Extension - NYNJ Trail Conference
DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 41.967493, -73.497402
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| Shagroy Road Parking |
TRAIL MAP:
South Taconic Trails Map - NYNJ Trail Conference (2015 edition shows trail as proposed)
Taconic State Park Southern Section Trail Map - NY State Parks
HIKE DISTANCE: 13 miles
THE HIKE:
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| The southern end of the South Taconic Trail starts from the parking lot. |
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| Creek crossing is dry this time of year. |
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| Coming up on ... |
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| Iron Mine Pond. |
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| The red Rudd Pond Trail comes in from the left; we would be coming that way on the return route. |
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| Iron Mine Pond down below to the right. |
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| The South Taconic Trail follows a woods road gradually uphill. |
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| Ruins along the way. |
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| Passing the other end fo the red Rudd Pond Trail where we would be turning on the return route. |
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| The first view of the Harlem Valley. |
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| The Catskills in the distance. |
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| All the creek crossings are dry. |
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| The trail alternates from rocky creek beds ... |
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| ... to lush forest. |
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| Crossing Kaye Road which leads to private property on the right. |
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| Multiple views along the way. |
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| The trail becomes steeper and more rugged just before ... |
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| ... the most spectacular viewpoint. |
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| Heading back. |
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| One little shriveled up blueberry left on the blueberry plants that were starting to turn red for autumn. |
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| Turning right on red ... |
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| ... which is a woods road that descends steeply at times. With all of the acorns falling, it was like walking on marbles at times. |
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| At the end of the woods road ... |
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| ... left on Rudd Drive where there are no red markers. |
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| Rudd Pond |
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| Continuing straight into the campground which was now closed. I was exhausted and it was all I could do not to park myself on one of those platforms and take a nap. But I was also hungry and wanted to make it to McEnroe Farm Market for a veggie wrap before they closed so on we went. |
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| At the end of the campground road, the red trail continues to the left of the dumpsters at the far end of the circle. |
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| This woods road ends at the white South Taconic Trail ... |
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| ... where a right turn leads back to ... |
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| ... Iron Mine Pond. |
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| The parking lot was quite full. I had seen nobody they entire hike until the very end. |
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| And on to McEnroe Farm Market on the way home about 10 minutes away from the hike. |
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| Their produce prices were outrageously expensive so I did not buy anything except the vegan veggie wrap which was soooooo good and HUGE. Half went in the cooler for after the 2 1/2 hour drive home. |
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| Brodie loves veggies so I had to share. |
