17. Millbrook Mountain

Distance:	Dayhike
Difficulty :	Moderate for children
Distance :	4.7 miles, loop
Hiking time :	4.5 hours
High point/elevation gain :	1765 feet, 700 feet
Hikable :	April-November
Map :	NY-NJ Trail Conference Map 9

This hike follows the Lake Minnewaska loop (described in Hike 16) for the first 0.8 mile, then leaves the mellow carriage path for wilder terrain and more demanding hiking. You can enjoy water views on the initial and final legs of the hike, and in between you'll have breathtaking views from Millbrook Mountain's summit and explore some of the more remote corners of Minnewaska State Park.

Follow the driving directions for Lake Minnewaska (Hike 16), then hike the route described to the lake's southern tip, where it crosses Coxing Kill. From here, leave Lake Shore Drive to follow the red-blazed Millbrook Mountain Trail on the right (south). The rugged foot trail plunges recklessly through woods dominated by mountain laurel and hemlocks. In stark contrast to the tame carriageway, the narrow trail drops over a jumble of boulders, heading south, and soon recrosses Coxing Kill.

One-tenth mile from Lake Shore Drive, the Millbrook Mountain Trail slices across a steep hillside on level terrain. Beyond the ridge, lush patches of moss carpet the trail, cushioning your steps. Why does moss seem to grow so well here? (Moss is one of the few plants that can survive these shady, acidic conditions. It began as a sea plant, and it still requires constant moisture. In fact, it needs water to reproduce!) Up on the left is a neat kid-size cave—who will be the first to reach it?

At 1 mile, the trail sweeps across exposed ledge and tracks through an area thick with wild blueberry bushes. If you are hiking in midsummer, stop to fill a bucket. In another 0.2 mile, push aside the laurel that invades the trail and dive down the bank of a cool ravine that carries a tributary of Coxing Kill. As you head straight, crossing the brook on stones, urge the kids to step onto the small island in the middle as they make their way across. (This is the safest and easiest route.) On the other side of the creek, the trail climbs the southern bank through a rough, seasonal streambed. As more slabs of ledge intrude underfoot, blueberry bushes reach across the path and pitch pines cluster in the woods.

As the blue-blazed Coxing Trail joins from the left (north) 0.7 mile from Lake Shore Drive, stay straight on the red-blazed trail. Peek over your shoulder for spectacular northeastern views of the Trapp Ledges. At 1.7 miles, the trail opens onto a gently sloping ledge outcropping where triple red blazes indicate the end of Millbrook Mountain Trail. As the blue-blazed Millbrook Ridge Trail joins from the left, turn right to join another red-blazed trail, the Gertrude's Nose Trail. Hike less than 100 yards (with the kids close by) to reach the top of Millbrook Mountain, at the edge of a magnificent escarpment. The easterly views, reaching deep into the Hudson River Valley, are unequaled.

From the edge of the precipitous escarpment, head westward, leaving the Gertrude's Nose Trail to join a yellow-blazed carriage path known as Millbrook Drive. The carriage path is characteristically wide and smooth, passing through groves of pitch pine and stunted oaks. Initially, views to the right encompass distant mountains. As you follow this lengthy stretch of carriage path, ward off mid-hike fussiness with a game of "Simon Says": "Simon says, `Hop like a bunny!' Simon says, `Wave a leaf in the air like a flag!' Now gallop like a horse! You're out!" One mile from the Millbrook Mountain summit, remain on Millbrook Drive as it bends right (north); the Gertrude's Nose Trail joins from the left (south).

As the ground falls away on the left side of the trail, begin a trek along the southern wall of the Palmaghatt Ravine, an impressive V-shaped gorge rimmed with sheer cliffs. Within the ravine, you'll notice stands of giant hemlocks. Somehow these trees escaped the loggers' axes. Look for trailside tree stumps and count the rings. As you embark on a gradual climb, the drop-off increases, although the trail stays between 10 and 20 feet from the edge. Soon the ravine narrows, the carriageway approaches the edge of the cliff, and you pass Pattersons Pellet. This formidable glacial boulder rests on the edge of the cliff, so advise the kids to investigate it with caution.

Shortly beyond Pattersons Pellet, Millbrook Drive meets the yellow-blazed Hamilton Point Carriageway. At this T intersection, turn right (east) and follow the Hamilton Point Carriageway for 0.25 mile. At the junction with red-blazed Lake Shore Drive, turn left and return to your car along the shore of Lake Minnewaska.

Note: In season, trails close weekdays at 6 p.m., weekends at 7 p.m. The park opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. on weekdays, 8 p.m. on weekends. Dogs must be leashed.