Background
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Photo courtesy Michael O’Donnell, landscape photographer extraordinaire. Thank you, Michael!
Background you can feel free to skip: Our old hiking group used to come to Shaupeneak Ridge once a year, but eventually we stopped. I think the problem was that we came here once during prime mosquito season, and the hikers who still had blood left afterwards decided to take this one out of the rotation.
What a mistake. Shaupeneak Ridge has much to offer, and it deserves a visit from anyone who likes visiting awesome places. Lake Louise, which greets you from the parking lot, is gorgeous, and it really seems like it should have at least one moose standing at the edge of it. This lake looks so much like something that belongs in Maine, I can’t help but scan for a bull moose every time I visit.
If you come at the wrong time of year, sure, there can be a few bugs, but that’s probably also true of your back porch.
This stroll offers a very nice (though not huge) overlook, and some excellent hiking trails beyond the beautiful loop around Lake Louise. If you’re anywhere in the area, you’d be well-advised to come check this one out. And maybe pack some bug stuff, if it’s that time of year. It’d be a shame if this hike didn’t find a home in your rotation, too.
Trail Guide
Bonus unsolicited advice: Don't depend on having cell service in the woods - it can be spotty out there! Download this trail guide to your phone before you head out. (It's easy to do on iPhone and Android.) May your connection to nature be strong, even when your connection to the internet is weak.
1. Like all of the excellent Scenic Hudson parks, this hike has a great website with a wonderful trail map included. They also have a nice kiosk in the parking area with extra brochures and maps. That’s really all you need, but I’ll provide a quick run-through anyway, on the off chance someone in the universe might find it useful.
2. After stopping by the kiosk and grabbing some info and a map, head to the right of the kiosk down the Blue Trail, with Lake Louise on your right.
3. As you head around the lake, you have an opportunity to go left on the Yellow Trail and then the Orange Trail. I’m sure these trails are nice, but I’ve never checked them out. The Blue Trail has great views of the lake, and this has always been the highlight of Shaupeneak for me. I’m assuming that you’re sticking with me on the Blue Trail in these directions, but feel free to consult the map and wander off for a bit if you’d like.
4. Keep following the Blue Trail all the way around the tip of the lake, enjoying the view through the pine stands as you go.
5. As you venture around the other side of the lake, the trail veers away from the water. Once you’ve gone almost a full lap around the lake, you’ll be looking for a left turn onto the Red Trail. Don’t mistake the Orange Trail for red blazes, like I did. I was several hundred yards down the Orange Trail before I realized my mistake. That wasn’t very smart of me, but I did it, so someone else might, too. Here’s a good way to tell if you’re in the right spot: If you haven’t gone over the boardwalk yet, then you haven’t reached the Red Trail.
The beginning of the Red Trail is very clearly marked. And hopefully, you’re better at discerning red from orange than I am.
6. Very shortly after you turn left onto the Red Trail, carefully cross the road (cars can be going quite fast here) to continue. Enjoy the hilly stretch as you follow the red blazes through the woods. On the Scenic Hudson map, there is a Catskill Overlook coming up on your left. Don’t get too excited, though. The view here is pleasant, but very seasonal. If there are leaves, you’d be forgiven for not noticing a vista at all.
Have no fear: the real money spot is coming up soon.
7. Continue on the Red Trail until you come to a small clearing with some rocks that beg to be sat upon as you take in the view of the Hudson Valley below. It’s not a 360-degree panorama, but this place has a nice, secluded feel that invites you to stick around and gaze awhile.
8. Once you’ve soaked it all in, continue on the Red Trail, which forms a nice loop. Just a few feet after the overlook, you’ll see the White Trail departing to your left. There’s a nice little waterfall down the White Trail, but it’s a long way down. If you’re interested in seeing it, I’d recommend parking in the lower Shaupeneak lot and hiking up from there.
9. Continue along the Red Trail back to the parking lot, once again being careful when it comes time to cross the road.
10. Take one last look at Lake Louise before heading home. See any moose out there?
Directions
Directions to the trailhead: From Highland, head north on Rt. 9W for about 8 miles. Turn left onto County Route 16 (Old Post Road). (There will be a small sign for Shaupeneak warning you about this turn.) You’ll pass a parking lot on your right marked “Shaupeneak Ridge”, which would seem like where you want to be, but it isn’t. This is the lower lot; we’re parking in the upper lot. Continue on Old Post Road for just under two miles. When County Route 16 (Old Post Road) splits off to the left, stay straight onto Popletown Road (this turn is well-marked but easy to miss, so drive slow and be careful). In less than a mile, you’ll see the very well-marked entrance to the upper Shaupeneak Ridge parking lot on your left. This is where you want to be.
You can also get directions by checking out the Shaupeneak Ridge entry on the HiketheHudsonValley.com Google map.
Sorta nearby address for your GPS: The intersection of Popletown Road and Old Post Road in Esopus, NY is less than a mile south of the Shaupeneak Ridge upper lot (the well-marked parking area is on Popletown Road, on your left if you’re heading north).
GPS coordinates of parking area: 41.83754, -73.99427 (Clicking will open in Google Maps or the Apple Maps app, depending on your browser/device.)
Resources & Interactives
Related resources: If you’re looking for actual facts and/or useful information, visit the Scenic Hudson Shaupeneak Ridge page. (And if you’re a Scenic Hudson person, thanks for all the awesome parks, dudes!)
More Shaupeneak Ridge pictures from the hike’s Picasa album:
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I hiked up the white trail from the lower lot…on purpose. I knew no one in my family would want to go up with me, but they might hike around the lake. The waterfall is worth seeing and it’s not far up from the lower lot. Don’t hike down to it from the top though, it’s too far. The trail was a little bit snowy/icy and very slick with a layer of mud on top of frozen ground. I did a slow motion ‘keep on truckin’ slide and wound up on my butt.
Oh, if you do visit the waterfall you may notice a large cross and memorial for Derek Wood. He was an 18 year old who was hit by a drunk driver in Port Ewen in 2013. I’m guessing that the waterfall was a favorite spot of his.
Really appreciate the information, Jeff — thank you for taking the time to share it. (And very sorry to hear about the story behind that memorial – so sad.)
It’s so helpful to have the info from someone who has done it and documented it when going on trails we have not tried before – thanks for putting these together. Last year we did the Minnewaska one following your directions, and loved it. This year I was looking for less popular hikes due to COVID-19, so I cross-checked your list with the suggestions on NYNJTC (https://www.nynjtc.org/news/how-hike-trail-less-traveled) and we ended up at Shaupeneak Ridge. The blue trail around Luisa Pond was easy and picturesque. Lots of water lilies and a couple of perfectly positioned wooden benches made for excellent photo ops. The doggy (why we need to look at the child ratings :)) enjoyed every new scent and his ears kept perking up as chipmunks hopped around. Came across only 1 small family + 1 solo hiker + 1 hiker &dog on a Sunday afternoon. So recommend this for others who are looking for a chill walk without too many people encounters. Sadly, we did not get to the waterfalls as the thunderstorm was approaching, so hoping to go back and see the waterfalls next time. The upper parking lot is quite small, so it’s a good thing it isn’t very popular or maybe it is popular and we were the only fools going when thunderstorms were in the forecast:)
Thanks so much for the kind words and helpful details, Secil! Many more happy adventures to you!
There is a seven mile “lollipop” loop starting and ending with the white trail and including parts of the red, yellow, blue, orange, and green trails that I’ve now done about ten times. On these trails, there are a large number of chalked markings on rocks. Most of them are numbers like 9-2 but there are other markings. Can anyone say what all this “decoration” is about? As far as I’m concerned it is pure graffiti and needs to be cleaned up and then forcefully discouraged!
Pictures clearly shows a dog not on a leash. Town of Esopus code requires dogs to be on a leash.
§ 68-18.1
Prohibited actions.
[Added 11-18-1999 by L.L. No. 3-1999]
No person owning, keeping, harboring or having the custody and control of any dog shall permit or allow the dog to engage in the following actions:
F.
Be at large on any school premises or recreational areas, or the sidewalks adjacent thereto, unless said dog is on leash.
Just visited today! Blue and Red trails were pretty easy breezy, the view of the Hudson was definitely minimal due to the leaves of the trees but still a nice stop. Ventured down the White trail to the waterfall and stopped there for a snack and water break. It was a bit steep at spots but an enjoyable challenge. My biggest bit of advice – BRING BUG SPRAY!
Hi Mike,
We are planning to do a hike here soon, but I was wondering if the red trail’s hilly section would be suitable for an old (13 year old) dog. Also, if we went down to the waterfall, am I correct that that would be a 4-mile total loop? Thanks for the great site!!!
Jonah
Funny, not funny thing about the great Demon Shaupeneak….when I finally got it right we became super Besties. Then last November my foot got struck under a leaf covered roof as I was getting toward the end of the Lake Loop and I broke many, many a thing, My elbow, my wrist, my finger, my pride. Upside? I got out of cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 32. Downside? I am nervous now, but I will not give up. I have eased myself back in this year. HOWEVER, all in all, no matter how small the trail, I am still getting out there AND I was just telling someone about Mike and The Hike. GRateful for my reconnection to nature.
You rock on Ann!
Hi. Great site! I did the lower trail head, white trail. I was dying. Lol. What number difficulty would you give that? Thanks
Thanks so much, Anna! I’ve honestly never parked at the lower lot, though I do plan on checking it out someday, just to see the waterfall. When that day comes, your comment has helped ensure that I will gird my loins accordingly. Thank you!
Today’s hike would be why I always lose at board games. I don’t follow directions. Ended up parking at the wrong spot and heading up some White Trail, which was steep. Well, steep for me anyway. I stopped at an amazing waterfall situation though….WINNING! Turned around there and headed back down. I think I left my right lung there, will have to go back and retrieve it next week…..blue trail, different parking, keeping lungs.
Hey there, BoomKat! Hope you had a better run if you made it back out there again! You could also check with Anna from the comment above and see if she found any of your lungs out on the White Trail 🙂