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Follow N.Y. 403 or U.S. 9 south to their intersection, near a gas station/convenience store. On the right, you will see a...
Hike Description:
Follow N.Y. 403 or U.S. 9 south to their intersection, near a gas station/convenience store. On the right, you will see a kiosk. Turn right and follow the Appalachian Trail across a meadow on puncheons. At the end of the meadow, the trail goes through a gap in a stone wall and bears left. Soon, the trail turns right and heads gently uphill on an old carriage road.
In half a mile, after crossing a stream, follow the white blazes as they turn left and begin a steeper climb on switchbacks. (Ahead, the carriage road is the route of the yellow-blazed Carriage Connector Trail, which will be your return route.) Near the top of the hill, turn sharply left, joining another carriage road, as the blue-blazed Osborn Loop Trail begins on the right.
Follow the Appalachian Trail for about a mile along a relatively level carriage road, with a few gentle ups and downs. After a short climb, you’ll notice a cairn and a triple yellow blaze to the right of the trail, marking the start of the Curry Pond Trail. Turn right, leaving the carriage road, and follow the yellow blazes along a footpath.
The Curry Pond Trail descends through dense mountain laurel thickets, 
steeply in places, and passes interesting rock outcrops. At the base of the descent, the trail crosses a stream, turns sharply left, then bears right and climbs a little. Next, the trail descends towards Curry Pond, which often resembles a wetland. It crosses the pond's inlet stream, skirts the eastern shore of the pond, crosses the outlet stream, and soon ends at a junction with the blue-blazed Osborn Loop Trail.
Turn right and follow the Osborn Loop Trail north. The trail briefly follows a carriage road, but soon turns right and descends to cross a stream on large rocks. It continues along the side of Canada Hill and, after crossing a few more streams, bears left and begins to ascend. Soon, the climb moderates as the trail parallels an old stone wall on the left. At the top of the climb, the trail bears right, with views to the left through the trees over the Hudson River.
Follow the blue-blazed trail as it descends from the crest of the ridge, first gently, then more steeply, paralleling a stream. At the base of the descent, the Osborn Loop Trail turns right onto a woods road. It briefly climbs, then continues to descend more gradually through mountain laurel and hemlocks. At the base of the descent, the trail crosses a stream and climbs gently to reach a junction with the red-blazed Sugarloaf Trail, which is ahead and to the left.
Turn right at this junction, continuing to follow the blue-blazed Osborn Loop Trail. You’re now on a wide, well-engineered carriage road, supported by a stone wall on the right side. After climbing a little, you’ll notice a rustic 
gazebo to the left of the trail – another good place to take a break.
Continue ahead on the Osborn Loop Trail, which continues to climb gently. To the right, you'll notice an area with many young trees. This area was devastated by a severe localized storm in May 2018, which destroyed many mature trees, and is now starting to regenerate. Just beyond the height of land, you’ll reach a junction. Here, the blue-blazed Osborn Loop Trail turns right, but you should continue ahead on the carriage road, now following the yellow blazes of the Carriage Connector Trail. Bear right at the next junction and continue along the yellow-blazed carriage road. Soon, you'll pass through stands of hemlock. After bearing right at the next two trail junctions, the trail narrows and goes slightly uphill, passing through mountain laurel and hemlock. It then levels off, passes a wetland on the right, and again widens to a carriage road.
When the Carriage Connector Trail ends at a junction with the white-blazed Appalachian Trail, continue ahead along the carriage road, now following the white blazes. Retrace your steps along the Appalachian Trail until you reach the intersection of Routes 403 and 9, then turn left and continue to Cross Road, where you parked your car.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 03/11/2005 updated/verified on 06/09/2024
This loop hike follows footpaths and carriage roads of a former estate through mountain laurel thickets.
41.353039, -73.924491
Putnam Co., NY
7 mi
4 hrs
Buy Map: East Hudson Trails Map
Avenza App Map: East Hudson 101
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
From the east end of the Bear Mountain Bridge, proceed north on N.Y. 9D for 4.5 miles, and turn right onto N.Y. 403. Continue on N.Y. 403 for 2.1 miles to Cross Road (just north of the terminus of N.Y. 403 at U.S. 9). Turn left onto Cross Road (a one-block road that leads to U.S. 9) and park along the shoulder of the road.
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