Rhinebeck Hikes

Classic view from the top of the tower.

The view of burger Hill from tower

Another view of bridge and Catskills

Burger Hill from the parking lot

Walking up Burger reminded me of the balds in Tennessee.

Not even the McMansions can blight this view.

Burger Hill is a good spot to toss the football around.

Pretty sunset.

What's the greatest Hudson River town? I always like to argue with a friend that Rhinebeck is. He would argue Cold Spring. Although Rhinebeck does not have the network of trails that Cold Spring has (walks to Taurus, Sugarloaf and Beacon are easily accessible from the village) Rhinebeck has a couple nice little walks with very little effort that provide the walker with superb views of the Catskills and surrounding hills (and of course, the Hudson River).

After work, Pat and I walked to the fire tower in Ferncliff Forest and Burger Hill. Black Friday traffic did not just head for the shopping malls, they hit the trails also. I parked along the road at Ferncliff Forest.

Formerly a site for high school parties (I think 1990 was the last one), Ferncliff Forest is a legitimate outdoor destination. A short half mile hike leads to the tower. If mountain biking is your preferred method of transport, there are numerous trails for that also. Views could be had of much of the Catskills. The central Catskills (including Slide) are in sight directly west. Overlook and Kaaterskill High Peak are in the background of the view of the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. Also in view would be our next destination, Burger Hill.

The Black Friday traffic were present here too. From the lot, I could make out walkers heading up the hill against the backdrop of a setting sun. We made our way up the green patch of a hill, wondering what the domed building below could be. The views here of the Catskills are pretty imposing. They rise from the Hudson Valley far more impressively than they really are.