Agile Trekker: Long Path and Jessup Trail Loop, Schunemunk Mountain State Park

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
4/7/2018	11.4 miles

Map: NYNJTC West Hudson Trails Map 114

Parking: Route 27

Directions: Take the Long Path (blazed orange) uphill on a switchbacked path. Stay on the Long Path heading southbound until it intersects with the Jessup (yellow blazed) and Highlands Trail. Turn right (west) onto the Jessup/Highlands trail. Hike to the northwestern edge of Woodbury Park (this is pretty much where the trail goes off the map). Turn around and return back to the intersection with the Long Path. Stay straight on the yellow blazed Jessup Trail. Continue on this trail until it intersects with the red blazed Barton Swamp trail. Stay straight on red (don't take red to the left) and cross a stream. Turn right on the Long Path and return to parking area.

We missed the parking lot the first time we drove by - it's a small lot on grass, so almost looks like someone's front yard. The Long Path is orange blazed here, not the typical turquoise blazes. The first sign was to be aware of hunters. I was immediately turned off by this hike. The first 1.25 miles is a relatively steep climb uphill in the woods, with some switchbacks. This part of the trail is wooded.

The really nice part of the hike is once you pass the red trail. The rest of the hike was beautiful! At this point you are on the western ridge. There are great views of the Catskill Mountains (still can see the snow on them) along the ridge. The ridge is made up of conglomerate rock, which has really good traction for walking on. The area is full of stunted wind blown pines, which I love. It reminds me somewhat of the gunks, except way fewer people (we only saw one group of three boys on this hike). We did see some hunting blinds in the beginning, so yeah, I wouldn't want to go here in the fall. The trail passes next to some land owned by a hunting & fishing club. The area seems over-signed by park regulation signs.

This hike had no road crossings, so with the exception of when we passed the boys, Trek got to be off leash. What a happy dog! On the way back we formed a loop hike by taking the Jessup trail. This is also on a parallel ridge! So more great views, this time also of the Hudson. There are a handful of spots with rock scrambles that were steep enough that we had to help Trek up them using his harness. He's really good about being lifted now. He, like us, prefers uphill rather than downhill rock scrambles. There were also just mini scrambles - where Trek was fine, but I'd have to sit down in order to get down a rock. I did manage to fall twice today - first time right on my knee, the second time on my side. I'm fine, but it is frustrating to fall so much. This time it was unrelated to my ankles. Maybe its time to get back into daily balance training. Or I should take a fall prevention class that they offer seniors ;)