Anthony’s Nostril from Route 202

April 10, 2021 – Cortlandt, NY

Problem: Average – strenuous

Size: Roughly 3 miles

Max elevation: 910 ft. – complete elevation achieve: roughly 749 ft.

Route sort: Out and again

Map: East Hudson Trails Map #101

Trailhead parking: Anthony’s Nostril U-Bend Parking Lot – Bear Mountain Bridge Rd, Cortlandt, NY 10567 (room for about 6 automobiles)

Particulars on hikes to Anthony’s Nostril by way of totally different routes:

Overview:

Anthony’s Nostril is a peak alongside the Hudson River on the north finish of Westchester County, New York. Along with Dunderberg Mountain, it includes the South Gate of the Hudson Highlands. The 910 ft. peak has been generally known as Anthony’s Nostril since at the very least 1697, when the identify seems on a grant patent. Pierre Van Cortlandt, who owned this mountain, stated it was named for a pre-Revolutionary Conflict sea captain, Anthony Hogan. This captain was reputed to have a Cyrano de Bergerac sort nostril.

Anthony’s Nostril as considered from Bear Mountain

Anthony’s Nostril is without doubt one of the extra fashionable hikes within the Hudson Valley and on weekends the automobiles are lined up alongside Route 9D as a testomony to its reputation. The quick, however steep hike to the summit presents some spectacular views up and down the Hudson River. There are a number of approaches to the summit with various levels of issue, however none are straightforward as a result of generally tough terrain and/or sudden elevation achieve. Because of the crowds, it is a hike higher carried out on weekdays.

Historical past:

Anthony’s Nostril was strategically vital throughout the American Revolution. The street at its base alongside the Hudson River (current day US 202) was a choke-point within the Hudson Highlands north of Peekskill. The one wagon street on the east facet of the Hudson River, the Albany Submit Highway, ran from NYC to Albany, and handed alongside the river right here. It may very well be simply defended from atop the steep rock face.

Throughout 1777, George Washington ordered the development of a giant chain throughout the Hudson from the shore close to Anthony’s Nostril to the other shore beneath Fort Montgomery. Though meant to maintain the British ships from passing, it didn’t work. The chain was sunk after a number of effectively positioned British cannon photographs. It was blown to bits and on October 6, 1777, the British sailed by way of the opening, destroyed Fort Structure, attacked Forts Montgomery and Clinton and sailed as much as Kingston and burned a lot of the metropolis to the bottom. Throughout April 1780, the chain was once more stretched throughout the river and brought out of the water on October 16 (after the defection of Benedict Arnold). On April 10, 1781 the chain was as soon as extra reinstalled throughout the river.

The Bear Mountain Bridge was constructed in 1924 alongside roughly the identical alignment the place the chain was laid out. An airway beacon was as soon as situated on the summit.

Hike Overview:

Please Observe: Camp Smith (army reservation) is about 50 toes to the suitable of the path in most locations on the best way to the Nostril. It’s closely utilized by the army and will embody dwell gunfire. On your security, you should keep on the marked path. Many locations to the left of the path there are steep cliffs that drop all the way down to the Bear Mountain Highway. On your security and the motorists beneath, please keep on the path lest you dislodge rocks onto the automobiles.

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

This hike climbs Anthony’s Nostril from the south and begins at a smaller parking space on Route 6/202 at a big bend within the street, 2.2 miles north of the doorway to Camp Smith, often known as the U-Bend Parking Lot. For the reason that trailhead parking is smaller, there’s a lot much less foot visitors than from the trailhead on Route 9D.

Route 202 trailhead – Anthony’s Nostril

You continue to wind up on the identical nice viewpoint, which extra instances than not, is crowded on a pleasant day. There are additionally a number of viewpoints alongside this route that give hikers a special look. 

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

The climb is steep, gaining over 250 toes in elevation within the first 1/2 mile and virtually 500 toes by the primary mile. There are a number of sections which might be considerably stage alongside the best way that give a reprieve from the steep climb. The path travels by way of very rocky sections and over open rock slabs. Most likely not an excellent hike beneath moist circumstances.

The path is effectively marked, however one ought to maintain their eyes on the blazes in order to not wander onto Camp Smith property on one of many unmarked trails. There are quite a few indicators alongside the boundary to let you realize. 

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

This hike is a fundamental out and again, which implies that you’ll be returning the best way you got here. For the reason that mountain borders a busy street on one facet and Camp Smith on the opposite, a loop shouldn’t be potential right here. 

Anthony’s Nostril from Route 202

You’ll be able to see by the elevation profile the steepness of the climb and the descent on the best way again.

Anthony’s Nostril from Route 202

The Hike:

From the parking space, head into the woods previous the kiosk and switch left on the blue-blazed Camp Smith Path. 

Route 202 trailhead – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Heading north in the direction of Anthony’s Nostril, the path crosses Broccy Creek and leads regularly uphill, parallel to the street.

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

After turning away from the street, it joins and leaves woods roads and crosses streams.

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Rising out of a ravine, in a couple of 1/2 mile, the path turns proper onto a rock outcropping with views of the Hudson River, Iona Island, and Bear Mountain-Harriman State Park.

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

The view was considerably obscured by the early morning fog.

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

The identical viewpoint on our means again round midday.

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Paralleling the river excessive over the street, the path first drops barely then begins to climb steeply. In one other 0.3 mile, one other rock outcropping with a view presents an excuse to cease earlier than tackling the remaining unrelenting assault up Anthony’s Nostril. Alongside the following 0.4 mile, there are each seasonal and year-round views from open rock slabs.

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Anthony’s Nostril summit

Anthony’s Nostril summit marker

The path drops down off the summit and turns proper to affix a woods street, however you need to proceed straight forward to panoramic views of the Hudson River, the Bear Mountain Bridge, and Bear Mountain-Harriman State Park.

Proceed straight forward to Anthony’s Nostril Overlook

Anthony’s Nostril Overlook

Anthony’s Nostril Overlook

Anthony’s Nostril Overlook

Anthony’s Nostril Overlook

If you end up able to proceed, retrace your steps again to the woods street that you simply crossed to get to the overlook. Flip left on the woods street (the continuation of the Camp Smith Path) and head north, following the signal for the Appalachian Path. Proceed on the woods street for about 400 toes. Search for a faint footpath to the left of the path. Observe this unmarked path a brief distance uphill in the direction of some concrete footings. This was the positioning of an airway beacon that after stood guard on Anthony’s Nostril. There are two survey markers, one on the footing and one on a rock slab close by.

flip left on Camp Smith Path

flip left on Camp Smith Path

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

flip left on unmarked path

website of airway beacon – Anthony’s Nostril

website of airway beacon – Anthony’s Nostril

website of airway beacon – Anthony’s Nostril

Proceed previous the concrete footings a brief distance to a big slanted rock slab with views to the north of the Hudson River.

view north of the Hudson River from Anthony’s Nostril

There are at the very least three extra survey markers in shut proximity at this viewpoint.

survey marker – Anthony’s Nostril

survey marker – Anthony’s Nostril

survey marker – Anthony’s Nostril

view north of the Hudson River from Anthony’s Nostril

If you end up able to proceed, retrace your steps again to the Camp Smith Path and switch proper (south). If you arrive again on the junction with the Overlook, flip left and comply with the blue blazes of the Camp Smith Path south, now retracing your steps, for an additional 1.4 miles again to the U-Bend Parking Lot, the place the hike started.

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Camp Smith Path – Anthony’s Nostril

Assessment:

One other nice Hudson Valley hike. Though the point of view can get crowded, relying on which day and what time you get there, the views are completely value it. This method, from the U-Bend Parking Lot presents extra views and sees much less foot visitors. On the best way again, I don’t keep in mind passing some other hikers. This hike is finest carried out on a weekday when there are much less individuals on the paths. The small car parking zone fills up early. We acquired there simply earlier than 8am on a Saturday and acquired the final spot. 

Execs:

Anthony’s Nostril, American Flag, Hudson Valley views, Hudson River, effectively marked path, survey markers.

Cons:

Standard spot that does get crowded.

Take a hike!

Anthony’s Nostril from Route 202

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