April 10, 2021 – Cortlandt, NY
Problem: Reasonable – strenuous
Size: Roughly 3 miles
Max elevation: 910 ft. – whole elevation achieve: roughly 749 ft.
Route sort: Out and again
Map: East Hudson Trails Map #101
Trailhead parking: Anthony’s Nostril U-Bend Parking Lot – Bear Mountain Bridge Rd, Cortlandt, NY 10567 (room for about 6 automobiles)
Particulars on hikes to Anthony’s Nostril through completely different routes:
Overview:
Anthony’s Nostril is a peak alongside the Hudson River on the north finish of Westchester County, New York. Along with Dunderberg Mountain, it contains the South Gate of the Hudson Highlands. The 910 ft. peak has been referred to as Anthony’s Nostril since at the least 1697, when the title seems on a grant patent. Pierre Van Cortlandt, who owned this mountain, mentioned it was named for a pre-Revolutionary Conflict sea captain, Anthony Hogan. This captain was reputed to have a Cyrano de Bergerac sort nostril.
Anthony’s Nostril as seen from Bear Mountain
Anthony’s Nostril is among the extra in style hikes within the Hudson Valley and on weekends the automobiles are lined up alongside Route 9D as a testomony to its reputation. The quick, however steep hike to the summit presents some spectacular views up and down the Hudson River. There are a number of approaches to the summit with various levels of problem, however none are straightforward as a result of generally tough terrain and/or sudden elevation achieve. Because of the crowds, it is a hike higher performed on weekdays.
Historical past:
Anthony’s Nostril was strategically vital in the course of the American Revolution. The street at its base alongside the Hudson River (current day US 202) was a choke-point within the Hudson Highlands north of Peekskill. The one wagon street on the east aspect of the Hudson River, the Albany Publish Highway, ran from NYC to Albany, and handed alongside the river right here. It could possibly be simply defended from atop the steep rock face.
Throughout 1777, George Washington ordered the development of a giant chain throughout the Hudson from the shore close to Anthony’s Nostril to the other shore beneath Fort Montgomery. Though meant to maintain the British ships from passing, it didn’t work. The chain was sunk after a number of nicely positioned British cannon photographs. It was blown to bits and on October 6, 1777, the British sailed by way of the opening, destroyed Fort Structure, attacked Forts Montgomery and Clinton and sailed as much as Kingston and burned a lot of the metropolis to the bottom. Throughout April 1780, the chain was once more stretched throughout the river and brought out of the water on October 16 (after the defection of Benedict Arnold). On April 10, 1781 the chain was as soon as extra reinstalled throughout the river.
The Bear Mountain Bridge was constructed in 1924 alongside roughly the identical alignment the place the chain was laid out. An airway beacon was as soon as situated on the summit.
Hike Overview:
Please Observe: Camp Smith (navy reservation) is about 50 toes to the correct of the path in most locations on the best way to the Nostril. It’s closely utilized by the navy and will embrace stay gunfire. To your security, you could keep on the marked path. Many locations to the left of the path there are steep cliffs that drop right down to the Bear Mountain Highway. To your security and the motorists beneath, please keep on the path lest you dislodge rocks onto the automobiles.
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
This hike climbs Anthony’s Nostril from the south and begins at a smaller parking space on Route 6/202 at a big bend within the street, 2.2 miles north of the doorway to Camp Smith, often known as the U-Bend Parking Lot. Because the trailhead parking is smaller, there’s a lot much less foot visitors than from the trailhead on Route 9D.
Route 202 trailhead – Anthony’s Nostril
You continue to wind up on the identical nice viewpoint, which extra instances than not, is crowded on a pleasant day. There are additionally a number of viewpoints alongside this route that give hikers a distinct look.
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
The climb is steep, gaining over 250 toes in elevation within the first 1/2 mile and virtually 500 toes by the primary mile. There are a number of sections which might be considerably degree alongside the best way that give a reprieve from the steep climb. The path travels by way of very rocky sections and over open rock slabs. In all probability not a great hike underneath moist circumstances.
The path is nicely marked, however one ought to maintain their eyes on the blazes in order to not wander onto Camp Smith property on one of many unmarked trails. There are quite a few indicators alongside the boundary to let you already know.
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
This hike is a fundamental out and again, which implies that you can be returning the best way you got here. Because the mountain borders a busy street on one aspect and Camp Smith on the opposite, a loop will not be doable right here.
Anthony’s Nostril from Route 202
You possibly can see by the elevation profile the steepness of the climb and the descent on the best way again.
Anthony’s Nostril from Route 202
The Hike:
From the parking space, head into the woods previous the kiosk and switch left on the blue-blazed Camp Smith Path.
Route 202 trailhead – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Heading north in direction of Anthony’s Nostril, the path crosses Broccy Creek and leads regularly uphill, parallel to the street.
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
After turning away from the street, it joins and leaves woods roads and crosses streams.
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Rising out of a ravine, in a few 1/2 mile, the path turns proper onto a rock outcropping with views of the Hudson River, Iona Island, and Bear Mountain-Harriman State Park.
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
The view was considerably obscured by the early morning fog.
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
The identical viewpoint on our manner again round midday.
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Paralleling the river excessive over the street, the path first drops barely then begins to climb steeply. In one other 0.3 mile, one other rock outcropping with a view presents an excuse to cease earlier than tackling the remaining unrelenting assault up Anthony’s Nostril. Alongside the subsequent 0.4 mile, there are each seasonal and year-round views from open rock slabs.
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Anthony’s Nostril summit
Anthony’s Nostril summit marker
The path drops down off the summit and turns proper to affix a woods street, however it is best to proceed straight forward to panoramic views of the Hudson River, the Bear Mountain Bridge, and Bear Mountain-Harriman State Park.
Proceed straight forward to Anthony’s Nostril Overlook
Anthony’s Nostril Overlook
Anthony’s Nostril Overlook
Anthony’s Nostril Overlook
Anthony’s Nostril Overlook
When you’re able to proceed, retrace your steps again to the woods street that you just crossed to get to the overlook. Flip left on the woods street (the continuation of the Camp Smith Path) and head north, following the signal for the Appalachian Path. Proceed on the woods street for about 400 toes. Search for a faint footpath to the left of the path. Comply with this unmarked path a brief distance uphill in direction of some concrete footings. This was the location of an airway beacon that when stood guard on Anthony’s Nostril. There are two survey markers, one on the footing and one on a rock slab close by.
flip left on Camp Smith Path
flip left on Camp Smith Path
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
flip left on unmarked path
website of airway beacon – Anthony’s Nostril
website of airway beacon – Anthony’s Nostril
website of airway beacon – Anthony’s Nostril
Proceed previous the concrete footings a brief distance to a big slanted rock slab with views to the north of the Hudson River.
view north of the Hudson River from Anthony’s Nostril
There are at the least three extra survey markers in shut proximity at this viewpoint.
survey marker – Anthony’s Nostril
survey marker – Anthony’s Nostril
survey marker – Anthony’s Nostril
view north of the Hudson River from Anthony’s Nostril
When you’re able to proceed, retrace your steps again to the Camp Smith Path and switch proper (south). Once you arrive again on the junction with the Overlook, flip left and comply with the blue blazes of the Camp Smith Path south, now retracing your steps, for an additional 1.4 miles again to the U-Bend Parking Lot, the place the hike started.
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril
Evaluation:
One other nice Hudson Valley hike. Though the point of view can get crowded, relying on which day and what time you get there, the views are completely value it. This strategy, from the U-Bend Parking Lot presents extra views and sees much less foot visitors. On the best way again, I don’t keep in mind passing some other hikers. This hike is finest performed on a weekday when there are much less folks on the paths. The small parking zone fills up early. We obtained there simply earlier than 8am on a Saturday and obtained the final spot.
Execs:
Anthony’s Nostril, American Flag, Hudson Valley views, Hudson River, nicely marked path, survey markers.
Cons:
In style spot that does get crowded.
Take a hike!
Anthony’s Nostril from Route 202
Sources:
