Hike Jessup/West Ridge Loop via the Sweet Clover Trail

New Windsor, New York

Save

View all 12 photos

All 12 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

10 miles

Elevation Gain

1700 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by John Maurizi

A long loop hike along two ridged offering great views of the Hudson Valley to the east and west.

Schunnemunk Mountain State Park is one of my favorite parks. It offers many trails and possibilities for different loops. The attraction of Schunnemunk Mountain is the long double ridges running parallel to each other and amazing views in all directions.

This hike starts at the Taylor Road parking area. Cross Taylor road and hike up the Sweet Clover Trail which is marked with white blazes. The trail crosses an open field for a little less than one mile until it enter the forest and begins a steep climb. The trail crosses over a railroad track and continues uphill. After another 1.5 miles, the Sweet Clover Trail intersects with the Jessup Trail. The Jessup Trail is marked with Yellow Blazes. However, you will also see markers for the Highlands Trail as it also shares the Jessup Trail.

At this point you are now on top of the ridge with great views to the east. In the distance you can even see the Hudson River. This section of the Jessup trail follows the ridge south and offers many excellent views as it travels over open slick rock and meanders through scrub pines. Turn left here and follow the Jessup Trail for 2 miles until you reach the intersection with the West Ridge Trail.

The West Ridge Trail in marked with Orange blazes and begins at this intersection. Turn right on the West Ridge Trail. Here the trail descends steeply through a brief cliff and a longer scree field. The trail then begins to ascend to the parallel ridge and travels north until it meets up with the Sweet Clover Trail. This section of the West Ridge Trail is about 3 miles long. This ridge offers great view to the west in the Catskill Range.

When you reach the intersection of the Sweet Clover Trail, turn right. The trail descends again steeply and then ascends all in the course of .5 miles until it intersects with the Jessup Trail again. Turn right for a short distance until you can descend the section of the Sweet Clover Trail that you ascended earlier in the day to access the loop.

Total length of this hike is 10 miles with 1700 feet of elevation gain. Highly recommended when the sky is clear and more so during fall.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Photography

Hiking

Scenic

Hike Jessup/West Ridge Loop via the Sweet Clover Trail Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike the Stillman - Bluebird Loop

This loop hike starts at the northern trailhead of the park where the Stillman Trail begins. The parking area has enough space for only 6 or 7 cars. Start off on a wide maintained carriage road. After about a half mile, the Stillman Trail (yellow markers) breaks of to the left. However, stay on the carriage road until it meets up with the Bluebird Trail (blue/red markers). Along the carria...

Hike the North Point Loop

There is three different trailheads to access the North Point Loop. I chose the trailhead that would give me the longest hike. That would be the Butter Hill parking area on Route 9W north. From the parking lot, start on the connector trail designated with white markers. Follow this for about .5 miles until the trail ends on the Howell Trail. Turn right on the Howell Trail designated with bl...

Storm King Mountain Loop

This is an easy, yet very rewarding hike with a lot of viewpoints on the way up. Technically you scale up two mountains, Butter Hill and Storm King, but most people just describe it as Storm King Mountain. This is a great hike for families with younger kids, those who don't have much time but want to get a hike in, and those looking for great foliage shots of the Hudson Valley. The parking lot...

Breakneck Ridge Loop

This short but steep loop hike in Hudson Highlands State Park offers multiple panoramic views of the Hudson River along the way. Please note that only experienced hikers should attempt this route – although the hike seems short, the elevation gain and steep rocky scrambles offer serious technical challenges. The hike begins on Breakneck Ridge Trail (marked by white blazes) at the south end of ...

Sugarloaf Mountain and Breakneck Ridge Loop

The Breakneck Ridge to Sugar Loaf Loop gives rise to various bypasses that offer hikers moderate to advanced terrain and multiple rock scrambles. The loop entails a total elevation gain of 1,670 feet and a total distance of 5.5 miles. The start of the trail begins at the (white blazes) at the north side of the tunnel on route 9D. Follow the Breakneck Ridge Trail (white blazes) up a 1.5 mile ro...

Sunset Point - South Beacon Mountain Loop

This loop hike form the Notch Trail northern trailhead on Route 9D. There is enough parking at this trailhead for about 5-6 cars. The Notch Trail is identified with blue trail markers. It is well maintained and plenty of markers to guide your way. This is important because there are many unmarked fire roads in this area and it is very easy to lose your way. As part of this loop h...