Schunemunk Mountain Loop from Otterkill Road via...

Schunemunk State Park (Schunnemunk State Park)

West-facing view from the Megaliths - Photo by Daniel Chazin West-facing view from the Megaliths - Photo by Daniel Chazin

This loop hike climbs about 1,500 feet to reach a ridge composed of unusual conglomerate rock, with numerous viewpoints from open rock ledges dotted with pitch pines.

41.425755, -74.101685

From the parking area, turn left and proceed east on Otterkill Road for 0.2 mile. About 150 feet before reaching the massive Moodna Viaduct (which spans the valley to the left), turn right onto a footpath, following the white-blazed Trestle Trail, which proceeds uphill rather steeply on a woods road, with the Moodna Viaduct to the left.

In about 0.1 mile – just before reaching the...

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Trip Reports

rate experience
June 23, 2019
5
Great but tough hike!
We did this hike yesterday, except took the jessup trail directly down to otterkill trail to return to the viaduct and our truck. I heard many reports of rattlesnakes on dark hollow trail, and thought we had a slim chance of meeting one. We were wrong! Surprised one directly on the path to the megaliths! We were both quick to give eachother space and all was well. It may be worth mentioning on the ridge to ridge trail, the difficulty of navigating a narrow, slippery ledge. I'm assuming there is a spring or constant rain runoff on these rocks. They are very slick and we stayed as close to the laurels as we could. Also we were surprised by large cracks in the rocks where you really needed to watch your step or leap to avoid a nasty fall. Luckilly, I'm slow and careful! Overall, this mountain is one of my favorites. Its difficult to climb especially for people like me who only get to hike once a month or so due to its steep climbs but the bare rock, dwarfed pine and beautiful views are so worth it. Happy hiking everyone :)
Hikertrash31
November 06, 2015
0
Fence Installed at Moodna Viaduct at Otterkill/Trestle Trails
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">The MTA has installed a fence at the intersection of the Otterkill and Trestle trails to prevent hikers from accessing the trestle. Please do not cross the fence!&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Walking along the Moodna Viaduct is extremely dangerous and considered trespassing.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Violators will be fined.&nbsp;</span></p>
amber.ray
May 31, 2010
0
Beautiful hike, great views of the Moodna Viaduct
<p>Hiked this on May 15, 2010, just with this description, no map. The trails are very well blazed, with easy-to-follow cairns and rock lines in the treeless spaces. I could not find the trail to the Megaliths, tho.</p><p>The directions seem to read that you will reach the blue dot Western Trail very soon after the deep fissure, but this is not the case. You will pass over a woods road first, into someone's private tree farm for a while before you get to the Western Trail.</p><p>If the trailhead parking is full, drive up to the viaduct and see if there is parking available right underneath it.</p><p>Also consider driving over to Orrs Kill Road and Jackson Road for a full-length east-facing view of the viaduct. It is the tallest, highest railroad trestle east of the Mississippi.</p><p>Photos from this hike are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kleepet/tags/schunemunkmountainloophike/</p>
kleepet
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