A six-mile extension of the South Taconic Trail going south to Rudd Pond and Shagroy Road in Millerton, New York, has been completed. Volunteers from the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference worked two years and put in countless hours to create a path along the ridge top with amazing views. What a great job of siting the trail and making it a reality! A map is available to purchase here.
My friend Janice and I hiked it recently on a day that started out sunny and bright but clouded up and turned gray for the last third of the hike as you will see from the photos. The woods are open and light-filled this time of year and you can see through the bare branches to the views beyond. Since we were along the ridge top much of the way, we could see west to the Catskills often. I love this trail!
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| A gnarled pitch pine, one of many along the trail. |
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| A sweet long waterfall on the way up to the ridge. |
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| First view, as we climbed up a steep rock scramble. |
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| It was a happy hike! |
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| I love walking over rocks and this ridge has many opportunities for that. |
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| A view of the farmland of Dutchess County with the Catskills in the background. |
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| Looking north at the ridge we just walked over. |
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| More westerly views. |
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| A wonderful drippy waterfall. |
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| More rocks and low vegetation. |
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| Water and wetlands in the valley below. |
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| The clouds were thick at the last viewpoint before we descended to Rudd Pond. |
