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A high ridge trail that follows the crest of the southern Taconic Range.


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Map Key

21.4

Miles

34.4

KM

Point to Point

2,303' 702 m

High

734' 224 m

Low

4,397' 1,340 m

Up

4,666' 1,422 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

62%

Max Grade (32°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views

Description

A moderately difficult trail that parallels the AT in the Southern Taconics topping out on Brace Mountain Summit and Alander Mountain four miles to the north. It passes through Taconic State Park, Mount Washington State Forest, and ends with a steep descent and climb in Bash Bish Falls State Park towards its northern terminus at Catamount Ski Area.

Flora & Fauna

Flora: Mountain Laurel, Red(?) Oak, Witch-Hazel, Musclewood, Blueberry bushes, Wintergreen, Scrub Oak, Gray Birch, Sheep Laurel, Trailing Arbutus, White Pine, Pennsylvania Bittercress, Striped Maple, Hop Hornbeam, Bearberry, Raspberry, Dock.
Lichens: Rock Tripe.
Ferns: Rock Polypody, Christmas Fern.
Fungi: Birch Polypore, Witches' Butter.
Fauna: Snowfleas (Springtails), Ravens, Grouse, Deer (tracks).

Contacts

Shared By:

Lou Poulas with improvements by David Smith

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 2 votes

#28169

Overall
  3.0 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#516

in Massachusetts

#28,169

Overall
7 Views Last Month
1,983 Since Oct 19, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Winter backpacking at Alander Mountain.
Apr 22, 2015 near Sheffield, MA
Falls at the intersection of Quarry Hill and South Taconic Trail.
Apr 5, 2021 near Boston…, NY
There's no better time on the South Taconic Trail than deep in the heart of Autumn.
Oct 20, 2017 near Boston…, NY
The approach to Brace Mountain Summit, the highest elevation in Duchess County, NY.
Oct 20, 2017 near Boston…, NY
The summit of Brace Mountain offers a colorful view of the Hudson Valley with the Catskill Mountains far in the background
Oct 20, 2017 near Boston…, NY
Sunset through the trees.
Nov 30, 2020 near Boston…, NY

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Check-Ins

Apr 22, 2018
Ben Rosenberg
4mi
Aug 11, 2016
Rachel Cronin
Stopped on our way back from VT to visit the Zen Garden at Taconic Ramble State Park 2mi

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