Millbrook Ridge Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Marked by light blue blazes, the trailhead starts at Trapps Road just beyond the bridge over 44/55 and leads to the summit of Millbrook Mountain.

From Trapps Bridge, go south on the carriage road for about 300 feet, then find the trailhead (light-blue blazes) on your left. The trail is characterized by angled rock slabs, forests, laurel, and other difficult sections.

The first great lookout point is called Hawk's Watch. There are great views and it is a nice place to do some birding. A second vantage point is near the summit of the Near Trapps. There is a side trail on the left that climbers often use. It accesses a somewhat dangerous vantage point. A third point of interest is Smedes Cove. This is the boundary between the Near Trapps and the Bayards.

There is a red-marked trail called Bayards Path that tees into this trail from the right just after this saddle in the ridge. The next opportunity to make this a shorter loop is just under two miles into the hike when the Millbrook Cross Trail (red-blazed plus cairns) tees in from the right.

Past this point, the trail continues through similar scenery and eventually reaches the summit of Millbrook Mountain. At this point it intersects the red-blazed Millbrook Mountain Trail. This trail is the boundary between Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park. You can continue another 2 miles south from this point on Gertrude's Nose Trail, or return on the Millbrook Mountain Trail to make a loop.

Hemlock, dwarf pitch pine, falcons, eagles, vultures, and lots more.