Blue Mountain Reservation
Location- 435 Welcher Avenue, Peekskill, NY
Trail- Blue Mountain Summit Loop
Length of trail- 4.6 miles
Duration- 1 hour 30 minutes
The Trail:
I started this hike with the intention of summiting Spitzenberg Mountain. As I followed my GPS, I ended up at a dead-end street and quickly realized I was in the wrong place.
After reversing and heading north on Washington Street, I came to the outskirts of the City of Peekskill. I made a right at Welcher Avenue thinking I would correct my mistaken route and ended up at the entrance to the Blue Mountain Reservation. This little mistake turned out to be a great adventure.
The parking lot was quite empty. Snow peppered the leaves and a lady walking her dog returned friendly wave. As I looked over the map, I decided to embark on the summit trail.
There is a slight incline at the beginning of the trail and a split. But the trees have square paint markers that are quite clear, and I found the beginning of the summit trail without an issue.
The incline continued and there were some rocks that jutted out. If you’re practicing for steeper trails and need to gain some cardio or want a break from those high peaks without settling, this trail offers a nice challenge for a beginner or an expert looking for a recovery hike.
A quarter mile or so into the trail and I started to notice there are quite a few vernal ponds on this mountain. In the spring I can imagine all the frogs that will be chirping here.
Few more yards and I started to hear this thunderous noise that echoed from somewhere towards the east. That’s when I remembered the map. The diagonal lines near the Spitzenberg Mountain where I meant to hike today. Turns out there’s a shooting range located in the area. Good thing I ended up here and not there!
I decided to veer off the trail and followed a footpath to a small pond. It was a nice place to catch my breath. On the ground was hoof marks and some bike tracks. This mountain also has some great spots for Horseback Riding and Mountain biking.
After taking in the tranquility near the mountain pond, I returned to the summit trail. There is a slight increase in elevation but nothing too steep. After the elevation you come to a split in the trail. The trees are so well marked throughout that you can’t miss your turn. Going to the right you continue the summit trail. There is also a wooden post sign that says you have made it a mile.
There were more wetlands on the left and some rock formations that loomed over the trail. I began to zone out and not hear the noise from the range. Then I came to stretch of common reeds.
There was a roadway called Montrose Station Road. Here is the only spot you would need pay attention for a small wooden sign on the left that reads, “Trail.” It’s next to a grouping of dogwoods.
More rock formations appear when you re-enter the woods. You come across a small valley as well. After a good quarter mile, and a few more wetlands, there is a turn to the right.
This is the summiting portion. The incline goes up a bit in a short distance. It’s rocky as well. I didn’t have my walking sticks, but I think it would have helped in this portion.
You could make the first left, but the true summit is at the end of this portion. A lean-to made of stone will be on your left. Go a little further, make a quick right, follow the path a few yards then a left and you’ll be on top of a mound. And you have summitted Blue Mountain Reservation!
There aren’t any views at the true top as you are surrounded by trees. But if you retrace your steps to that first left up a rock hill with a blue marker painted on it, you’ll have a great view. There, you’ll see portions of the Hudson River and Bear Mountain State Park. On this day I saw some white smoke puffing from a building in downtown Peekskill.
You could follow the summit trail in reverse all the way back to the parking lot. I continued it to Ned’s Left Lung trail. Funny name I know. And again, I made an excellent choice out of pure luck.
I was able to capture footage of a Pileated Woodpecker on top of a tree going to work. My phone’s pictures are a bit shadowy but in person it was a great sight and sound to witness.
With an energized step I kept going, crossing multiple wooden bridges and creeks. There is an area under renovation, but I bet when it is done it will look great. I made a left onto the Boundary trail marked by yellow squares.
A nice lookout point is located where the creek drops, and the rocks lift creating a valley like formation. There are signs pointing the way toward parking that are easy to follow.
At the end of this trail, you could go straight and take the road back. There you’ll see the Blue Mountain Reservation Lodge Hostel. Or you could go left and follow the short Dickey Brook Trail that ends at the parking lot.
The Tale:
The Beginning:
I love researching the history of my hikes. This trail was no exception, but it was a tough one to find information on. Like my Siwanoy trail hike, the land the trail is on has Native American roots that I was able to explore. The trail also had interactions with prominent American families.
For instance, what I found from Indian Geographical Names written by E. M. Ruttenber, is that the City of Peekskill was once called Sachus, Sachoes and Sackonck by the native people.
Van Cortlandts:
The Van Cortlandts were a wealthy family that owned a large area of land around the Peekskill area. Stephanus Van Cortlandt started to acquire land near Peekskill, NY in the late 1600s. The Van Cortlandt Manor and the town of Cortlandt stand as a reminder of the family’s wealth. After accumulating so much land, Stephanus was entitled “Lord of the Manor,” but he died just 3 years after being bestowed the honor; he would be the first and last to hold that title. (Lee Northshield, Van Cortlandt Manor | Croton-on-Hudson NY (crotononhudson-ny.gov).
The Van Cortlandt’s land in the area of the Blue Mountain Reservation eventually changed hands and was owned by the Loundsbury Family, who operated a general contracting business (New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (nynjtc.org). According to a New York Times Article by Tessa Melvin, the county of Westchester took ownership after the Great Depression (The New York Times).
The Mountain:
An article written in the Scarsdale Inquirer by James Owen, states the Blue Mountain Reservation and Spitzenberg Mountain were once called; Hunts Mountain and Pleasantside Mountain.
This hike was a splendid surprise. And the history behind it was also interesting to find out. I hope you enjoy this hike as much as I did and get a chance to explore this trail.