Saturday, September 21, 2019

Taconic State Park, NY - South Taconic Trail Extension


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
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:
The southern end of the South Taconic Trail starts from the parking lot.
Creek crossing is dry this time of year.
Coming up on ...
Iron Mine Pond.
The red Rudd Pond Trail comes in from the left; we would be coming that way on the return route.
Iron Mine Pond down below to the right.
The South Taconic Trail follows a woods road gradually uphill.
Ruins along the way.
Passing the other end fo the red Rudd Pond Trail where we would be turning on the return route.
The first view of the Harlem Valley.
The Catskills in the distance.
All the creek crossings are dry.
The trail alternates from rocky creek beds ...
... to lush forest.
Crossing Kaye Road which leads to private property on the right.
Multiple views along the way.
The trail becomes steeper and more rugged just before ...
... the most spectacular viewpoint.
Heading back.
One little shriveled up blueberry left on the blueberry plants that were starting to turn red for autumn.
Turning right on red ...
... which is a woods road that descends steeply at times.  With all of the acorns falling, it was like walking on marbles at times.
At the end of the woods road ...
... left on Rudd Drive where there are no red markers.
Rudd Pond
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.
At the end of the campground road, the red trail continues to the left of the dumpsters at the far end of the circle.
This woods road ends at the white South Taconic Trail ...
... where a right turn leads back to ...
... Iron Mine Pond.
The parking lot was quite full.  I had seen nobody they entire hike until the very end.
And on to McEnroe Farm Market on the way home about 10 minutes away from the hike.
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.
Brodie loves veggies so I had to share.