Mid Hudson Bridge

As part of my monthly series of walks to photograph Hudson River bridges, November would be the month for the Mid Hudson bridge.  With the Walk Way Over the Hudson to the north and Franny Reese State Park on its SW corner, this 85 year old suspension bridge makes for easy photo opportunities.  

Overlooking Poughkeepsie and the Mid Hudson Bridge from Franny Reese State Park

Remains of an old estate

South of Albany, only the Bear Mountain Bridge is older.  Opened to the public in August of 1930, Hudson Valley residents the Roosevelts attended the opening ceremonies.  Of all the Hudson River bridges this may be the most beautiful.  It's pedestrian friendly, so go out and enjoy! 

The bridge casts a long shadow

The view from the Walkway

Mt Beacon in the distance

Plattekill Falls and Kaaterskill Falls

Quite possibly the two greatest "kills" in the history of the world, the Plattekill and Kaaterskill produce some of the best waterfalls.  These are two of the best and easily accessible.

Plattekill Falls is reached from the top of Platte Clove Road via the Platte Clove Reserve.  The trailhead is located at a little red cabin just west on Platte Clove Road from the parking area.  A quick quarter mile walk leads to one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the Catskills.  Easy contender for best Reward/Effort Ratio.

Kaaterskill Falls is reached via a half mile trail off of Route 23A just a few miles below Haines Falls.  Tonight I reached at dusk, but I could make out the steps they put in over the summer which will extend the trail to above the lower falls.  This was apparently necessary since many don't understand that walking on wet, slippery rocks above a 100 foot cliff may prove fatal.  Both of these waterfalls have produced their share of deaths.  

Huckleberry Point

I had grand plans for doing a long walk along the Taconic Range.  Instead I got an afternoon start, reaching the top of Platte Clove a little after 2pm.  The trailhead parking was completely full.  I found this surprising since the main hike from here is Kaaterskill High Peak.  I did not realize it was that popular.  But then I thought of all of the other hikes that can be taken from here: an easy stroll to Plattekill Falls, Huckleberry Point and Indian Head.

It had been well over ten years since I had been to Huckleberry Point.  Consequently, it had been do to a late start on Kaaterskill High Peak that I decided to walk out to Huckleberry.  For some reason I thought KHP could be done with an afternoon start.  Huckleberry Point makes for a great back up plan or even the main plan.

Yellow leads to Huckleberry, Blue leads toward KHP

According to the map, it's a 2.4 mile walk with about 500 feet elevation gain.  Almost all of the elevation is gained on old logging roads and current snowmobile trails.  This is an ideal fall foliage hike or an ideal easy stroll through the woods.  I made it up and back in just under 2 hours which included a long rest to soak in the views.  But almost anybody who can walk will make it up and down in 3 to 4 hours.  I passed a group walking in nice jeans and sweaters.  It's that kind of walk (though there is a stream crossing and some mildly muddy areas).

Along with the namesake Huckleberries, one will find some outstanding views.  The Tivoli Bays and the Hudson River can be made out to the east.  To the south are Overlook and Mohonk.  Down below is Platte Clove with Indian Head rising above on its south side.  From Indian Head one can follow the ridge of Devils Path peaks to Plateau.

The path to Huckleberry Point

Mohonk and a tiny bit of the Ashokan

Hudson River and Kingston

The mist moving in on the Devils Path (Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf)