July 5, 2021 – Chilly Spring, NY
Problem: Average
Size: Roughly 1.9 miles
Max elevation: 592 ft.– whole elevation achieve roughly 625 ft.
Route sort: 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 also called 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 best, a long way inland, reaching roughly 1,260 toes above sea stage. The southern face of the height is exceptional for its placing cliffs, the results of quarrying in previous years.
Breakneck Ridge as considered from Storm King Mountain
Breakneck Ridge is taken into account top-of-the-line and hardest day hikes within the nation. The steep ascent up its western face entails climbing over rock ledges, utilizing each arms and toes. This rock scramble attracts hikers from throughout and is without doubt one of the hottest hikes within the area.
The fantastically constructed Nimham Path supplies a better various 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 fastidiously 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 grow to be one-way (up solely); the brand new path can 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 mountain climbing at Breakneck Ridge, visited by over 100,000 hikers yearly. The brand new path will assist each scale back misplaced and injured hiker calls and protect the mountain habitat. Knowledge gathered by the NY-NJ Path Convention exhibits most individuals who hike Breakneck are both novice hikers or, in reality, making an attempt 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 method 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 permit hikers to get a style of Breakneck whereas offering a safer solution to bail out.
The path is known as in honor of Wappinger Chief Daniel Nimham (1726–1778) a revered chief of the Wappinger individuals, whose ancestral lands, together with these of the Lenape and Munsee, embody the idyllic panorama now often known as the Hudson Highlands.
Daniel Nimham and his son Abraham (born in 1745) fought for the American trigger through the Revolution and had been a few of America’s first Veterans. They served with Washington at Valley Forge and later with Common 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 sequence 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 those who wish to keep away from the steep rock scramble that was crucial earlier than this path was constructed. The path additionally supplies a shorter loop choice for people who wish 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 achieve a variety of elevation rapidly. The Nimham Path features over 500 toes of elevation in a few 1/2 mile. Though that is the simplest path to Breakneck Ridge, it’s nonetheless no stroll within the park. The expertly engineered stone steps helps hikers achieve a variety of elevation in a brief distance, eliminating any rock scrambles which can be often 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 whilst attainable. The risers and treads of the steps are in step with a standard staircase that one would encounter in an indoor setting. The path is nicely laid out and blends into the panorama, making for an satisfying and scenic hike.
This out and again hike begins and ends on the trailhead for the Wilkinson Memorial Path on Route 9D.
Breakneck Ridge through Nimham Path
Though the steps are fairly useful, the path continues to be steep because it climbs Breakneck Ridge and correct footwear ought to be worn.
elevation profile – Nimham Path
An early begin on a weekday is beneficial for this hike because it will get actually crowded on the weekends.
The Hike:
On the east aspect of the street, 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 progressively 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 broad 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 features elevation, the Hudson River is seen by 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 massive rock outcrop on the fitting with views over the Hudson River with Storm King Mountain immediately throughout and Pollepel Island and Bannerman Citadel 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’re 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 it would be best 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’re 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 important hike on a nicely constructed path to panoramic views of the Hudson River Valley. Though it was somewhat foggy on our go to, it was nonetheless a superb 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 every other hikers on the way in which up. By the point we left the flagpole space, a gradual stream of individuals began to cross by. Value doing no less than as soon as to marvel on the arduous work that was achieved to create this excellent path.
Execs:
Nimham Path, Breakneck Ridge, American Flag, Hudson River Valley views, nicely constructed trails.
Cons:
Breakneck Ridge will get extraordinarily crowded on weekends.
Take a hike!
Breakneck Ridge through Nimham Path
Sources:
