July 5, 2021 – Chilly Spring, NY
Problem: Average
Size: Roughly 1.9 miles
Max elevation: 592 ft.– complete elevation acquire roughly 625 ft.
Route kind: Out and again
Purchase Map: East Hudson Trails Map #102
Free Net Map: Hudson Highlands Path Map North 2021
Trailhead parking: Wilkinson Memorial Trailhead – Beacon, NY 12508
Overview:
Breakneck Ridge is a mountain alongside the Hudson River between Beacon and Chilly Spring, straddling the boundary between Dutchess and Putnam counties. Breakneck Ridge is situated throughout the confines of Hudson Highlands State Park Protect and is run by the New York Workplace of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Till the early twentieth century, the mountain was often known as St. Anthony’s Face or Turk’s Face, after a face-like stone formation on the southern cliffs that was destroyed by quarrymen in 1846. It has a number of summits, the very best, a ways inland, reaching roughly 1,260 toes above sea degree. The southern face of the height is exceptional for its putting cliffs, the results of quarrying in previous years.
Breakneck Ridge as considered from Storm King Mountain
Breakneck Ridge is taken into account the most effective and hardest day hikes within the nation. The steep ascent up its western face includes climbing over rock ledges, utilizing each fingers and toes. This rock scramble attracts hikers from throughout and is among the hottest hikes within the area.
The superbly constructed Nimham Path offers a neater different to the summit for hikers who search Breakneck’s beautiful views of the Hudson River Valley whereas avoiding the steep rock scramble. The path follows the pure “bench,” or shelf, alongside the ridge, connecting the flagpole space to the Wilkinson Memorial Path.
Historical past:
Skilled Path Builders, Tahawus Trails LLC, with help from the Jolly Rovers, constructed the brand new Nimham Path between October 2020 and July 2021. The half-mile path has over 500 expertly engineered stone stairs rigorously harvested from the slopes of Breakneck. The Nimham Path opened to the general public on July 1, 2021. As soon as open, foot visitors on the Breakneck Ridge Path ascent will turn out to be one-way (up solely); the brand new path shall be two-directional.
That is the primary development undertaking managed by the Hudson Highlands Fjord Path, a brand new non-profit working with State Parks and the 19 different undertaking companions to advance the Hudson Highlands Fjord Path linear park between Beacon and Chilly Spring.
The impetus to the Nimham Path was the rising reputation of climbing at Breakneck Ridge, visited by over 100,000 hikers yearly. The brand new path will assist each cut back misplaced and injured hiker calls and protect the mountain habitat. Knowledge gathered by the NY-NJ Path Convention reveals most individuals who hike Breakneck are both novice hikers or, in reality, trying Breakneck Ridge as their first hike. Novice hikers usually attain the primary summit and determine they don’t suppose they’ll end the hike. They attempt to discover a approach down from the flagpole space and that’s when issues come up. The Nimham Path provides the choice of a shorter loop hike centered on the flagpole space of the Breakneck Ridge Path. The Nimham Path will enable hikers to get a style of Breakneck whereas offering a safer approach to bail out.
The path is called in honor of Wappinger Chief Daniel Nimham (1726–1778) a revered chief of the Wappinger folks, whose ancestral lands, together with these of the Lenape and Munsee, embody the idyllic panorama now often called the Hudson Highlands.
Daniel Nimham and his son Abraham (born in 1745) fought for the American trigger in the course of the Revolution and had been a few of America’s first Veterans. They served with Washington at Valley Forge and later with Basic Marquis de Lafayette’s troops. On August 31, 1778, the Nimhams and fifty of their fellow Wappinger had been surrounded then killed within the Battle of Kingsbridge, in what’s now Van Cortlandt Park within the Bronx.
Daniel Nimham statue – Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park
Trails Overview:
This hike follows the yellow-blazed Wilkinson Memorial Path for the primary 250 yards.
Wilkinson Memorial Path – East Hudson Highlands
The half-mile Ninham Path marked with inexperienced blazes, connects the Wilkinson Memorial Path to the decrease lookout on Breakneck Ridge. A collection of greater than 500 stone steps climbs steeply to Hudson River views from an space of staggered rock outcrops, marked with an American Flag.
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
The Nimham Path now permits entry to the well-known Breakneck Ridge flagpole space to people who wish to keep away from the steep rock scramble that was mandatory earlier than this path was constructed. The path additionally offers a shorter loop possibility for people who need to do the rock scramble using the white-blazed Breakneck Ridge Path.
flagpole space – Breakneck Ridge
It’s a brief stroll uphill on the Wilkinson Memorial Path earlier than turning proper on the Nimham Path. This green-blazed path is the place you acquire loads of elevation shortly. The Nimham Path positive aspects over 500 toes of elevation in a few 1/2 mile. Though that is the best path to Breakneck Ridge, it’s nonetheless no stroll within the park. The expertly engineered stone steps helps hikers acquire loads of elevation in a brief distance, eliminating any rock scrambles which can be normally related to Breakneck Ridge.
Hike Overview:
Having seen the press launch for the opening of the brand new path, I needed to test it out. I’ve to say that I used to be fairly impressed with the craftsmanship of the stone steps. They went to nice lengths to make the steps as at the same time as attainable. The risers and treads of the steps are in line with a traditional staircase that one would encounter in an indoor setting. The path is properly laid out and blends into the panorama, making for an gratifying and scenic hike.
This out and again hike begins and ends on the trailhead for the Wilkinson Memorial Path on Route 9D.
Breakneck Ridge by way of Nimham Path
Though the steps are fairly useful, the path remains to be steep because it climbs Breakneck Ridge and correct footwear must be worn.
elevation profile – Nimham Path
An early begin on a weekday is really helpful for this hike because it will get actually crowded on the weekends.
The Hike:
On the east aspect of the highway, you’ll see a triple-yellow blaze that marks the beginning of the Wilkinson Memorial Path, which you’ll observe for the primary 250 yards. The path climbs regularly on a large footpath, climbing a number of units of stone steps alongside the way in which. The path quickly involves a junction with the green-blazed Nimham Path, which begins on the fitting.
Wilkinson Memorial Path – East Hudson Highlands
Wilkinson Memorial Path – East Hudson Highlands
Wilkinson Memorial Path – East Hudson Highlands
Wilkinson Memorial Path – East Hudson Highlands
Wilkinson Memorial Path – East Hudson Highlands
Wilkinson Memorial Path – East Hudson Highlands
Wilkinson Memorial Path – East Hudson Highlands
Wilkinson Memorial Path – East Hudson Highlands
Wilkinson Memorial Path – East Hudson Highlands
Flip proper on Nimham Path
Flip proper on the Nimham Path and observe the inexperienced blazes as they ascend Breakneck Ridge on one other vast footpath. A brief distance later, the path crosses a wood footbridge and ascends steeply on stone steps.
Flip proper on Nimham Path
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
The path turns proper and climbs extra stone steps, then ranges off briefly, and once more climbs extra steps. Because the path positive aspects elevation, the Hudson River is seen by means of the bushes down beneath.
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
In about 0.3 mile from the beginning of the Nimham Path, there’s a giant rock outcrop on the fitting with views over the Hudson River with Storm King Mountain straight throughout and Pollepel Island and Bannerman Fort to the north. This makes a great spot for a brief break.
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
When you find yourself able to proceed, proceed forward on the Nimham Path because it continues to climb stone steps, now much more steeply. After climbing some steps bounded by a wood railing, the path moderates because it nears its terminus at a rock outcrop simply above the flagpole space.
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
The views up and down the Hudson River from this level are spectacular, and you’ll want to take a relaxation to benefit from the panoramic views.
flagpole space – Breakneck Ridge
flagpole space – Breakneck Ridge
flagpole space – Breakneck Ridge
flagpole space – Breakneck Ridge
flagpole space – Breakneck Ridge
When you find yourself able to proceed, retrace your steps again to the Nimham Path, marked by an indication, and switch left.
Breakneck Ridge Path
Wanting as much as the highest of the ridge from the junction with the Nimham Path, you’ll discover a steep, near-vertical rock outcrop that the Breakneck Ridge Path climbs to realize the crest of the ridge.
Breakneck Ridge Path
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Retrace your steps alongside the Nimham Path, again to the junction with the Wilkinson Memorial Path and bear left. Then observe the yellow blazes again to Route 9D, the place the hike started.
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Nimham Path – Breakneck Ridge
Veer left on the junction
Wilkinson Memorial Path
Wilkinson Memorial Path
Evaluate:
An ideal hike on a properly constructed path to panoramic views of the Hudson River Valley. Though it was relatively foggy on our go to, it was nonetheless a very good time out on the paths. We had been on the path by 7:30am and again to the trailhead by 9:30am. By getting an early begin, we didn’t encounter some other hikers on the way in which up. By the point we left the flagpole space, a gentle stream of individuals began to go by means of. Price doing no less than as soon as to marvel on the arduous work that was completed to create this excellent path.
Professionals:
Nimham Path, Breakneck Ridge, American Flag, Hudson River Valley views, properly constructed trails.
Cons:
Breakneck Ridge will get extraordinarily crowded on weekends.
Take a hike!
Breakneck Ridge by way of Nimham Path
Sources:
