Appalachian Trail access plentiful in mid-Hudson

By Pete Colaizzo
Poughkeepsie Journal

Karl Rabe/Poughkeepsie Journal Hikers trekking through the woods on the Appalachian Trail in eastern Dutchess County will encounter nature's beauty first-hand.

The trail's terrain is varied but can be handled by most seasoned hikers. ''Some of it is average, some of it is a bit hilly,'' said Ron Rosen of Poughkeepsie, the chair of the Dutchess/Putnam Appalachian Trail Management Committee. ''Most of it is undulating.

The trail can be accessed from many points in Dutchess County. Rosen cited four major access areas:

Sten Miller/Poughkeepsie Journal

- One is off Route 52 in Stormville. Three miles east of the Taconic State Parkway interchange, there is a large hill. At the top of that hill, there is a parking area and trail access on the north side of the road.

- Another is off Route 55 just west of Pawling. The access is similar to that of Route 52 in that is comes at the top of a large hill. The access is at the top of the hill after the intersection of Routes 55 and 216 in Poughquag.

- Another is off Route 22 north of Pawling. There are trail crossing signs and Department of Transportation parking turnoffs. Access from the trails can be made from there.

- Another is at the top of Depot Hill Road off Route 216 in Poughquag. There is a parking area for the Depot Hill Multiple Use Area and access to the trail can be made from there.

Mountain bikes not allowed

Rosen points out that the Appalachian Trail is National Park Service property. No wheeled vehicle use is allowed on the trail. This includes mountain bikes.

Rosen also noted that, technically speaking, the trail may be one of the largest park lands in Dutchess County. It's 100 feet wide and 30 miles long, but because it is linear in nature the trail is not often viewed as a park in the traditional sense.

For a brochure with information on the trail in Dutchess and Putnam counties, send a No. 10 self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Dutchess/Putnam AT Management Committee, 166 Wilbur Blvd., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.