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HIKING
The Ridge Trail at Dippikill
Great Views and (Almost) No Hunting
By Edythe Robbins
 Photo by Chuck Bennett View toward Hudson River from Summit of Dippikill Mountain. |
Where to walk in hunting season? Among the few hiking places with no hunting allowed, one of the best is Dippikill a beautiful forested area near The Glen in the southeastern Adirondacks. On a clear autumn day, you can enjoy distant views of the High Peaks – the Range and Dixes with Gothics prominent. You perch above the Hudson on open rock. But even the walk is great; a true ridge walk, like walking along the spine of a sleeping giant with long open rock patches for vertebrae.
Dippikill is owned and maintained by the Student Association of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany. The owners generously offer free day use of the area to the public with only two stipulations: that you register at the office and that you respect the area (“leave no trace”).
To get to Dippikill from the Adirondack Northway, Interstate 87, at Exit 23, drive 4.3 miles north on NY Route 9, then turn left on NY Route 28. At 9.5 miles turn left on Glen Creek Road, which is unpaved after the first 1/2 mile. At 12.0 miles turn left at a large “Dippikill” sign and proceed to the well-marked office at 12.4 miles. Here you must register and may pick up a trail map. Another 1/2 mile up the road and you will find a large parking lot on the right.
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There are several trails at Dippikill but the finest is the Ridge Trail. It should be noted that a portion of this trail (near the summit of Dippikill Mountain) leaves SUNY property and goes across state land – where hunting is allowed – before returning to Dippikill. So you may want to wear a red shirt or hat for your protection in this area.
Directly across from the parking lot a trail sign directs you to the Ridge Trail, 1.3 miles. After passing the bathhouse and campsites A AND B, the yellow-marked trail turns right uphill through mostly evergreen forest and soon emerges on bare rock edged with dwarf juniper. As you walk along the trail these sections of bare rock alternate with stretches of broad wooded or grassy ridge. After a downhill stretch, the blue-marked Cross Trail comes in on the right and coincides with the yellow trail for a short time. The sign says Ridge Trail, 1.3 miles. At this point, you have already hiked 20 minutes from the start.
The Ridge Trail turns right and generally follows the ridgeline with gentle ups and downs. After about 50 minutes of comfortable walking you pass between two erratics and climb over a rocky outcrop and up a steep grassy slope to a lookout with High Peaks views to the north. When the leaves are off the trees you can enjoy a view of Crane Mountain to the left.
The trail does wind a bit and in another 10 minutes you will come out on open rock with a lovely view of the Hudson River. It is easy to get confused here, but go left (north) across the grassy area, then swing right down over smooth rock where you will see the trail re-entering the woods. Shortly after, you will reach a blue-marked side trail leading to more open rock – a wonderful place for a lunch stop. Enjoy 180-degree view to the north, east, and south.
From this point, you can retrace your route back, or continue on the Ridge Trail that takes you on a beautiful moderate descent to join the red-marked Valley Trail. Turning right on the red trail, follow an old road to the outlet of Dippikill Pond. You can choose between the Eastside and Westside trails that meet again near the inlet. The Eastside Trail passes some campsites, crosses three plank bridges, and brings you to a picturesque lean-to with views of the pond and mountain behind it.
After crossing a rustic log bridge, turn right to follow the Valley Trail and a sign pointing you left toward the Farmhouse. Once you reach the Farmhouse, turn right and return to the parking lot. The return takes the same amount of time as the climb to the summit.
Don’t let hunting season keep you off the trails this fall. As Barbara McMartin recently wrote, “Today I walked the trails at Dippikill with Edythe and [her husband] Chuck – what a great day!! They have shown me so many wonderful hikes that I have included in the Discover series.”
Edythe Robbins lives in Hudson Falls and enjoys exploring on foot, skis,
snowshoes, bicycle, and canoe. She has climbed all of the 4,000-foot peaks
in the Adirondacks, a member of the 46ers, and co-author of Discover
the Eastern Adirondacks (Lake View Press).
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